New preschool to open in South Walton next month

The Santa Rosa Beach Community Church on U.S. Highway 98 will soon be teaching tykes in its fellowship hall.
On Aug. 19, the church will begin a three-day a week preschool program for 3-year-old to pre-kindergarten age children.
“The academics will be taught through playing,” said Community Church Education Deacon Jean Rice. “There will be games, songs and stories (to be taught through).”
According to the program brochure, the curriculum will be based around each individual child’s needs and learning level. Each teacher involved with the program has a background in education and holds a masters degree.
Congregation members helped remodel three rooms of the fellowship hall for classroom use.
“This type of ministry is something new for the congregation and something new for the community,” said Pastor Pete Hyde. “We’ve needed a preschool for some time now. We’ve been working on this for a year and a half and we’re really excited.”
The Preschool program will be divided into three classes based on age and will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monthly tuition is $285 and a one-time registration fee is $100.
Program director Robin Vaughn said not only will it be a great educational opportunity for young children, but it also will give parents looking for a preschool in the area a viable option.
“As a mom of a preschooler, it was so hard to get him into a preschool because of the waiting lists,” she said. “This will be great for parents (of the community).”
For more information on the program, contact the SRBCC at (850) 267-1437.