The children who attend Whitefish Community School on Park Avenue aren’t the only ones growing.  

The childcare facility established in 2002 is expanding to add seven spots at the daycare, which for several years has had a waitlist of 100 families. The new openings will allow the school to serve seven to 15 more children, depending on the days and times parents schedule daycare. 

The daycare has always served children aged 18 months to 6 years in the same group setting. Going forward, the school is planning to have two separate classrooms. Upstairs will be preschool rooms for 3- to 5-year-olds, and downstairs will house the toddler rooms for children 18-months to 3 years old. 

“Right now, we're one group childcare and we're splitting into two group childcares,” Diehl said. “Originally, we were going to become a center, but then realized if we became a center, we actually lose funding from the food program.” 

Since the building has two separate entrances, it can split the address and become two groups, so it doesn’t lose the funding that helps with serving meals. 

Diehl said the school will hire a toddler lead teacher to join current lead Kendra Becker and two assistants, Sarah Smith and Evie Everett. 

Some improvements are highly visible today, like a new parking lot, turn-around area and a sign at the front of the building. Outdoor stairs through the toddler yard lead to the lower-level entry. 

The school has colorful areas designed for music movement, story time and learning letters. On a wall near the cubby room, with coat hooks and a space for nap mats, are a calendar and jobs list. 

“They've got jobs like garden helper, weather helper, line leader, fish feeder. Post postmaster general when they help go check the mailbox,” Diehl said. “That's good for them to learn some responsibility and that having a job can be a privilege, too.” 

A Smartboard has been used only to give the kids a brief introduction to technology before they enter kindergarten. The kids are outdoors as much as possible. 

“We have a garden where we grow vegetables with the kids,” Diehl said, pointing to a fenced garden. “They help plant the seeds and then take care of them, get to watch them grow, and then we pick them and eat them lunch and breakfast.” 

The grounds also feature a great hill for sledding and visits from neighborhood deer. 

The downstairs classroom is still a work in progress but already has a play area and a place for napping in one room and an area for eating, tabletop activities and small group time in the other. 

“We're going to do a butterfly garden right out the window, so the kids can watch some bees and butterflies,” she said. “There's still a lot to be done for sure.” 

Cubbies and a bench are near the door that leads to the toddler yard where there are tires to climb on and a couple that will become sandboxes. Ground not covered by newly growing grass has a thick carpet of wood chips. Diehl has plans for a trike track, a play structure with swings and picnic tables. 

Whitefish-based Troiano Fence Company built the privacy fence on two sides of the yard, and Diehl said Tim, the owner, donated some of his time to the school. Two grants from Flathead Electric Coop’s Roundup for Safety program made the fencing possible. 

“One part of our program is kindergarten readiness, getting the preschool kids ready for school ... social emotional regulation, getting themselves ready to go outside, some curriculum like ABCs and 123s.” 

Diehl said preparing for kindergarten involves social, emotional and self-help skills along with getting acquainted with school routines, being able to sit in circle and raising your hand when you have a question. 

“The other part is childcare, toddler development, helping them reach their milestones, helping them learn to use the potty, not put things in their mouth, or how to throw things, stand on one foot,” she said. “A lot of gross motor, fine motor skills that they learn here. 

“It's a lot of little things that you don't think about until you're in a childcare setting like this,” she added. “It’s a lot of valuable skills to learn before going off to school.” 

The Whitefish Community School is participating in the Great Fish Challenge this year for the first time. Learn more about the daycare at whitefishcommunityschool.org. 

Reporter Julie Engler can be reached at 406-862-3505 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at whitefishpilot.com/support.

    One of the fenced play areas at Whitefish Community School. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    The calendar and job poster near the cubby room of the Whitefish Community School. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    The main activity room at the Whitefish Community School that has been used for all ages will soon be for 3-6 year old preschoolers. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    The new parking lot and drop off/pick up loop at the Whitefish Community School. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)