“Children are the world’s most valuable resources and its best hope for the future.” —John F. Kennedy

About Us

Sonia Johnston first opened her doors in September of 1996. Her first class consisted of just five children. Since then, she and her staff have been blessed to provide high-quality care and learning opportunities for hundreds of children all while managing to maintain excellent relationships with parents and children, even into adulthood. Over the years, there have been quite a few name changes: Teach-n-Tots, Smiling Faces Learning Center, and lastly, Kinder Prep Learning Academy. Throughout this amazing journey, our commitment to excellence has even earned us a few awards. However, our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality care, education, safety, customer service, and building long-lasting relationships has remained since day one.

Sonia Johnston

Owner & Director

Meet The Owner

I am Sonia Johnston, the owner, director, and teacher at Kinder Prep Learning Academy, LLC. As a passionate educator, I strive to provide your child with an enriching preschool experience while ensuring they are well-prepared for kindergarten. Having been a working mom myself, I also understand the importance and reassurance of finding a safe and nurturing environment for your child. The desire to teach arose in 1996, and with my own one-year old and several other families, I left corporate America to start my own program. Since then, my staff and I have provided care to hundreds of families, building lifelong relationships and friendships, and even earning a few awards along the way. Currently, I am pursuing continuing education and expanding KPLA. Married for over thirty years, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. My hobbies include writing, reading, watching K-dramas, and dancing. I’ve also served on a few local non-profit boards and chaired a national conference. I’ve been fortunate to achieve a lot in this life, but my greatest achievements call me mom.

Mission

At Kinder Prep Learning Academy, our mission is to provide high-quality early childhood education that meets the unique needs of each child in a safe, stimulating, and developmentally appropriate environment. We’re committed to preparing children for kindergarten while fostering a nurturing and caring atmosphere that helps them feel valued and supported. Our approach is grounded in the belief that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial for setting the foundation for their future success. That’s why we prioritize love and care in everything we do, creating a trusting environment where children can grow and develop at their own pace while receiving the skills they need to thrive. Through our commitment to excellence, we aim to make a positive impact on the lives of the families we serve and to contribute to the growth and development of the next generation of leaders.

Vision

At Kinder Prep Learning Academy, our tagline is “Where learning lasts a lifetime.” Our immediate vision is to create confident, curious, and compassionate life-long learners. We are also committed to setting an example of quality childcare through our programming and staff interactions. We understand that parents want to feel confident in their choice of childcare, and it’s our goal to instill that confidence in them by delivering exceptional care and education to their children. Looking ahead, we have long-term goals to make a positive and lasting impact on our students. We want our little learners to cherish their time spent in our program and to continue to build on the foundation of the quality early childhood education that we provide. By giving our students the tools they need to succeed, we aim to support their future growth and achievements and to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of the families we serve.

Philosophy

At KPLA, we’re dedicated to the concept of the Whole Child, which means meeting each child’s total needs in academic, social, emotional, and physical development. To achieve this goal, we draw upon various theories in early childhood education, including Reggio Emilia, Piaget, and Montessori-based play. Our approach is centered on the belief that every child is special, and unique, and has something incredible to offer to the world. By nurturing, inspiring, and empowering your child’s natural curiosity, we help put them on a successful path toward elementary and secondary education. We’re passionate about creating a safe, welcoming, and stimulating environment where your child can learn, discover, and explore with confidence.

Integrity

Respect

Kindness

Friendship

Teamwork

Partnership

Our core values are rooted in honoring the
crucial first five years of a child’s life by:

Our core values are rooted in honoring the crucial first five years of a child’s life by:

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