A successful capital campaign has allowed Tick Tock Early Learning Center in Avondale to expand and upgrade the 100-year-old building to meet today’s educational needs.
“This building was built as bar and grill,” said executive director Karen Ammon. “Our past focus had been on building maintenance, and this project is making permanent improvements.”
Additional classroom space and adding hallways to eliminate the need to pass-through one classroom to get into another are a top priority of the renovation. Safety is also at the forefront of the new changes.
“The new window in the foyer and security cameras let us see people at the door,” said Ammon
Other improvements include expanding the kitchen and adding ramps for special needs children. Today the center serves as many as 98 children, a far cry from the first class of seven children in 1964.
“We had to drive around and talk to the fathers at the mushroom farms to convince them to send their children,” said founder Sally Lightly. “Then we had to convince the mothers. We wanted to do a full-day program, but we started with half-days because that’s all the mothers allowed.”
But Tick Tock hasn’t forgotten education. “This is the age where all your brain development occurs,” said Ammon. To that end, a new curriculum includes music theory, mindfulness and creative movement.
The facility also recognizes nutritional needs. “Many people don’t realize that we cook a nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack to feed all of the children, every day.”
The program, which was started to improve performance in high school, intervenes early by teaching skills needed for success in school, emphasizing school readiness and English language immersion. The additional classroom space and improved building functions position Tick Tock to continue providing affordable, quality early education to our community’s working families well into the future, according to Ammon.
On Dec. 14 and 15, Tick Tock Early Learning Center opened its doors to share their expansion progress with the community. The building expansion is five weeks old and the completion is targeted for next spring.
About Karen Myers
Karen Myers lives in Pocopson Township and has written for several local publications. A strong supporter of our community, Karen has served on several non-profit boards, such as Pocopson Elementary PTO, The United Way of Southern Chester County, Chester County Art Association and Tick Tock Early Learning Center. She received her M.B.A. from the University of Delaware and worked in marketing and operations with a focus on banking.
