Putnam County Educators bust at work finalizing plans for the county’s new Early Learning Academy, which will bring together pre-K programs across Cookeville.
PreK–4 Instructional Supervisor Dr. Diana Wood said the school system has operated pre-K programs for over 20 years. Wood said the new facility will help focus education on young learners and free up classroom space in other schools across the county to accommodate future growth.
“Those programs that are moving instead of being at the elementary schools or middle schools, and we even had one at a high school, they’re going to be housed in that one building,” Wood said. “And so the needs of those young learners will be at the forefront of that entire school.”
Wood said the curriculum focuses on the beginning stages of basic education. In addition, educators work on regulating emotions and getting along with others. Wood said children begin the process of learning to read from the moment they are born through natural communication and conversation.
“I believe it’ll be the happiest place in our county, just because the joy of kids is contagious, and so we’re really looking forward to it opening,” Wood said.
Applications for the pre-K program are being accepted.
“They can fill out an application, and you can get those at the central office,” Wood said, “And then the directions are on the application, you call the central office and make an appointment to bring in your paperwork.”
With so many young learners in one place, Wood said the Early Learning Academy will offer its own atmosphere specially designed for childhood development.
“It’s just unique that all of those learners are young, and there’ll be lots of adults in the building because every classroom has either two or three adults,” Wood said.
Wood said while often overlooked, this stage in early education is vital for young learners.
“All of that oral language development is extremely important, and so we really work on that in pre-K,” Wood said. “We’re also working on social-emotional and regulating emotions and being able to learn the word ‘no’ and taking turns and getting along with friends. All of those things are going to make them successful in life, and successful in school when they go to kindergarten.”
Classes will continue at Baxter Primary and Burks Elementary to ensure convenience for families in the western and eastern end of the county.
“We have lots of things in the works and we’ve had lots of support from our community and the PEP Foundation and so we are just thrilled about getting everybody there and getting started,” Wood said.
Final inspections and occupancy certificates are being handled now at the former Park View facility.