The center's history dates back to 1974, when it was founded by the Almand family. It is still a family owned and operated business, as Ruth Almand Clark and Eve Almand Ligori both oversee and teach at this Bloomingdale-based preschool.
Its staff is trained and certified; each of these early childhood educators is skilled in infant and childhood CPR and pediatric first aid. In addition, each members meets and exceeds all required child care training courses according to Florida state law.
Almand offers hands-on curriculums in various formats: school year academics, summer camps and year-round day care. Students are placed in classes by age group depending on their age by September first of the school year.
Teacher-to-student ratios and sessions are as follows:
- 2-year-olds: two teachers to 15 students; part-time (two days a week, three days a week or five days a week) and full-time options are available.
- 3-year-olds: two teachers to 18 students (part-time and full-time options are available)
- 4-year-olds (VPK*) - one teacher to 10 students (part-time, part-time extended pick up, and full-time options are available)
*Those interested in VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten) must sign up with the Florida VPK program and Almand Center. For more information, see: http://www.floridajobs.org/earlylearning/VPK/FAQs.html.