BELLEVILLE — Once Upon A Time Schoolhouse (OUATS) is a relative newcomer to Belleville, opening in the fall of 2020. But its location in the former Belleville elementary school is likely familiar territory to many residents.
“Many of our parents attended school here,” explained OUATS director Leslie Brugger. “Many of them have told us about each room and memories of the school that they have.” She noted the center is only a few blocks from the current elementary school so school-age children attending OUATS are able to walk to and from the center with staff.
OUATS is the second childcare center owned by Ann Schmitz. She opened her first center, Once Upon A Time, in Verona in 2006. OUATS offers care for children ages 6 weeks to 14 years. The center’s philosophy focuses on helping children master the art of social and emotional regulation as a lifelong journey. “We work with our students every day to help them find the tools and develop the skills necessary to regulate their emotions,” Brugger said. “We work toward a healthy understanding of how to check in on your feelings and then what tools to use to get yourself back to a state of being able to play and learn.”
OUATS uses the Pyramid Model, a prevention and intervention framework designed to reduce challenging behavior. “Support is given through positive, supportive relationships; creating engaging environments; providing concrete teaching strategies; and if needed, creating individualized plans,” Brugger explained.
OUATS has three expectations that children work toward each day: Be safe, be kind and be respectful. Brugger said children hear teachers use this language throughout the day as they interact with friends and teachers, and play with equipment. Parents can use this language, too, when talking with children in various scenarios at home.
Brugger said OUATS is a small center with many families that have more than one child enrolled. “This makes getting to know our families easier as we have built relationships and friendships with those families early on. Watching the children master skills like writing their name, identifying letters or beginning to walk are the most rewarding experiences we can be part of,” she said. “Each day the children make me happy and proud of them by sharing and the new ideas they have learned.”
Like others in her field, Brugger knows how valuable childcare is to employers. “If parents don’t have quality care, they may tend to not be the best at their jobs — they are worried about their child or are watching them instead of working,” Brugger said.
Having quality childcare right in your home community compounds the advantages, she said. “Childcare in communities makes it easier for parents to leave their child in the care of someone they may know. Childcare in the same community can also ensure children will have social interactions with children that they will go to school with. They can also visit places like the library, bakery and police station for field trips, which also helps develop their sense of community from an early age,” Brugger said.
