SBFCCA Member

Ellen Willford's
I Love Learning Program

License No. 426210087

Capacity: 14 children
Ages served:
    3 years to Pre-Kindergarden;
    two after-school spots through         2nd grade
Hours of Operation:
    Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Education, Experience, and Certifications:

• Associate Degree: Rio Hondo College, Fine Art
• Early Childhood Education Program: SBCC
• Califirnia Teaching Credential: Early Childhood
• CPR and Pediatric Certified

Location: Near Patterson and University
Phone: 967-9406

About the Owner

Ellen Willford is the owner/ director and part of the teaching staff of I Love Learning. She began working in the early childhood area in 1967. She has worked in a variety of settings holding such positions as Kindergarten Aide, Preschool Special Education Aide, Preschool Teacher and Preschool Director in large centers. Ellen was privileged to start an Infant toddler Center in 1986.

Ellen's college education includes a Preschool Teaching Credential from the State of California and an Associate Degree in Fine Art with many continuing units in Child Development. She continues to attend seminars and keeps current in the early childhood field. Ellen and her staff are all certified in Pediatric CPR and First Aid. Ellen has also had health and safety training for children.

Ellen has been married for 38 years, and has raised two sons. She loves to make a difference in the lives of children by educating them and giving them a strong Christian foundation for the years ahead.

A Snapshot of I Love Learning

We are a small program, licensed for 12 children in a loving home environment. Our teacher-child ratio is 1:6. We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am-5:30 pm. We serve children who are generally three years old (fully potty-trained) through Pre-Kindergarten. We also have after school care for a maximum of two Elementary School children through seven years of age or older under special consideration.

I Love Learning offers a variety of different schedules attractive to both working and nonworking parents. We also handle paperwork for subsidized care should you need this consideration.

Our developmentally appropriate program has a balance of both structured and openended, hands-on learning opportunities. We have a theme-based curricula that is centered around Biblical beliefs. Children learn a variety of both secular and Biblical themes throughout the year. We emphasize strong morals and good character, helping the child to develop into the well-rounded, loving and respectful individual that God has created him or her to become. Children are well prepared to enter into Kindergarten after attending I Love Learning. Weekly activities include science and cooking. Daily activities include music, art, math, literature, phonics and pre-reading skills with emphasis placed on the development of fine motor skills necessary for writing through a wide variety of activities. In addition, we develop large motor skills (the building block for learning) through the daily development of large motor skills outdoors.

Children eligible for Kindergarten will be given a readiness assessment in the spring which considers both emotional as well as academic readiness.

Field Trips

Some of the envisioned field trips planned include:

• spontaneous neighborhood walks within a 4 block radius
• the Pumpkin Patch
• Mrs. Swiggum's Pond
• Tucker's Grove or other parks nearby
• the Library
• the Zoo
• Train Depot in Goleta
• The Humane Society
• Fire Station/ other Community Agencies
• Small Farms, Orchards or Nurseries
• the Beach
• Museums
• others we may add later.

Special Days

As the schedule permits, we would also like to have "special days" during the year which the children will help plan for their enjoyment. Some of these might include:

• pajama party
• back yard camp out
• backwards day
• silly hat day
• pet sharing day
• and western day.

Food

We will offer breakfast at 8:00 for all students arriving by 8:00 and two nutritious snacks at 10:00 & 3:30 approved by the USDA food program. We will also provide lunch for all in attendance served at 12:00. Lunch is included in the morning only fee.