About A Great Start Preschool Centerville Ohio

A Great Start Preschool offers quality, part-time preschool for children ages two to five, plus Private Kindergarten!


"At A Great Start Preschool, it is our primary goal and purpose to provide a Preschool environment in which teachers and students experience an enthusiasm for learning and accomplish successes. We promise to provide the children with ample opportunities to grow socially, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and creatively in our child centered environment." With the faith and support of a wonderful team of staff, as well as encouragement from many preschool families, colleagues, and friends, my husband and I founded A Great Start Preschool, Inc. in July 2004 and found a home for our school in Hope Church. When I first put together a business plan, I optimistically expected to start our first year with 40 children. After all, it was July, and with classes beginning in September, many children had already been enrolled at another school. But thanks to word of mouth referrals and blind faith, we started the school year with twice as much! Our second year in business we added afternoon sessions and grew a whopping 55%! By the time the school year drew to a close in May 2006, we were serving 136 children. We had an astounding 153 children enrolled for the 2006-2007 school year, and, after adding an additional classroom in 2007, we hit 200 children during the 2007-2008 school year. We even added a sixth classroom in 2009! We are excited to begin offering a 5 Half-Day Private Kindergarten Program during the 2012-2013 school year. Due to this growth and success of our school, we have hired additional staff, bringing the total number of staff members to 12, and we serve over 200 children. Thank you so much for your continued support and referrals! A Great Start Preschool is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation. We are licensed by the State of Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. We have been blessed with the opportunity to house our program in Hope Church. The Church Staff and Church Members have been very supportive and welcoming. In exchange for a monthly usage fee, we occupy six classrooms (Rooms 101, 103, 105, 114, 116, 131). The Director's office is in Room 108. From each classroom, there is close access to the large, fenced playground. On days of inclement weather, we have use of the Hudson Hall (Fellowship Hall) for gym and large motor activities. We also use the Kids Church room on a daily basis for Music and Movement Activities. Each classroom is decorated with hand painted murals which are pleasing to children. Classrooms are arranged in learning center areas including Home Living, Library, Art, Science, Computer, Blocks, and more. Our rooms have quick access to child size restrooms; many classrooms have restrooms directly adjacent to them. The facility is air-conditioned. Each room has thermostats which can adjust the heat and air for that classroom as needed. Classrooms and restroom are cleaned daily. Our facility is safe and secure, with a door code entry system to enter the preschool. A Great Start Preschool has no affiliation with the Church, and therefore any comments, questions, concerns or compliments should be directed to the Preschool Director. We are honored to provide your children with a great start on their education! About Our Staff Ms. Christina Miller, Preschool Director Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30-2:30 Summer Office Hours by Appointment My name is Christina Miller and I am the Founder of A Great Start Preschool and the Preschool Director. My husband and I live in Centerville with our two children, Liz who is 17 and a senior at Centerville High School, and Kyle who is 14 and in 9th grade. I have an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor's degree in Human Services Administration, and a Master's of Education Degree in Educational Leadership. I also hold a State of Ohio Teaching License in Pre-Kindergarten Education, and have over 17 years experience working with children. Throughout my educational career, I have become dedicated to educating the community about the long-term benefits of participation in a quality preschool program prior to entering kindergarten. Children are our future...if we teach them well, they will lead the way. Ms. Beth KinderStart Teacher, Room 131: Monday through Friday AM KinderStart Teacher, Room 114: Monday, Wednesday, Friday PM Private Kindergarten Teacher, Room 131: Tuesday and Thursday PM I have had the opportunity to work with Beth since 1998, and she has been with AGSP since we opened in 2004. Beth has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has over 35 years experience working with all ages of children, and is excited to be "Team Teaching" our Kindergarten program with Ms. Sharon this year. Ms. Sharon Private Kindergarten Teacher, Room 131: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays PM KinderStart Teacher, Room 114: Monday, Wednesday, Friday AM Ms. Sharon has been with our school since 2006. She has been involved in the Centerville Academic Volunteer and Literature Circle Programs, and has been a volunteer for the Centerville Coed Junior Dance Team. Sharon is certified in Orton Gillingham, and tutors dyslexic children at the Children's Learning Center in Dayton. She is also IMSLEC (International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council) accredited. Sharon has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and has over 20 years experience working with preschoolers as well as teaching kindergarten. In her free time, she enjoys eating out, especially Italian, and going to the movies with her family. Ms. Melissa SmartStart Teacher, Room 116: Tuesday and Thursday AM Preschool Plus Teacher: Monday, Wednesday, Friday AM and Monday through Friday, PM Melissa has been with A Great Start Preschool since 2007. Melissa earned a a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business, but soon thereafter discovered that her true passion was working with children. Melissa has over 20 years experience working with children through Church groups, as a Reading Tutor, Center Helper at a local elementary school, as a Nursery worker, and teaching in a program similar to Hope's Parent's Morning Out Program. Melissa has earned a Certificate of In-Service Training by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Bureau of Child Care and Development. Ms. Kerri, Smart Start Teacher, Room 114: Tuesdays and Thursdays AM Preschool Plus Teacher, Room 114: Tuesdays and Thursday PM Teacher’s Aide: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, AM&PM Ms. Kerri joined A Great Start Preschool in 2005. Kerri was originally hired as substitute teacher for us and was assigned to a classroom in 2006. Although she has been a Teacher in our Preschool Plus and Smart Start Programs, this is her first year as a Teacher's Aide. Kerri is a graduate of The Ohio State University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She has over 24 years experience working with preschoolers in several capacities, including Assistant Director, Case Manager, and Kid Fit Aerobics Instructor. Ms. Peggy Smart Start Teacher, Room 105: Tuesday and Thursday AM&PM Preschool Plus Teacher, Room 105: Monday, Wednesday, Friday AM&PM Ms. Peggy began her employment with A Great Start Preschool as a substitute teacher in 2008. Peggy has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, and this will be her 27th year teaching. She also has experience as an Assistant Director and Director. In her free time, she enjoys walking, reading, shopping, and traveling. Ms. Jackie Preschool Plus Teacher, Room 103: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays AM&PM Smart Start Teacher, Room 103: Tuesdays, Thursdays AM&PM Jackie has been with A Great Start Preschool since we opened our doors in 2004. She is a graduate of the National Nursery Examination Board (a British teaching degree equivalent to Early Childhood Education) and has earned a certificate in Montessori Education. Ms. Jackie has a wide range of teaching experience (over 25 years), including serving as a private nanny, Montessori, and serving on the Children’s Cooperate Preschool Advisory Board in Centerville. In addition to Preschool Plus, Jackie will be teaching our Smart Start Program this year, which is what she taught during our first school year. Ms. Pam Little Learners Teacher, Room 101: Monday through Friday AM Ms. Pam has been the Little Learners teacher at AGSP since we opened in 2004, and worked with me in another preschool setting since 2001. Pam has over 30 years experience working with toddlers and preschoolers. Pam has earned a Certificate of In-Service Training by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Bureau of Child Care and Development. After taking a year off for Medical Leave, Pam is eager and excited to return to the Little Learners Program this fall. Ms. Julie H. SmartStart Teacher, Room 101: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays PM and Little Learners Teacher, Room 101: Tuesday, Thursday PM Julie has been involved in AGSP since our first school year in 2004, and this is her second year to be part of our staff. Julie has a Bachelor's in Education, and over 15 years experience teaching all ages. Recently, Julie has worked with preschoolers in a local Ballet and Gymnastics program, and teaches French part-time at Miamisburg High School. She is excited to be teaching a Little Learners class and a Smart Start class this fall. Julie Z., Teacher’s Aide Tuesdays and Thursdays AM&PM Ms. Julie has been employed with AGSP since 2009. She started as a Substitute Teacher with us, and this is her third year as a Teacher's Aide. Julie has a BSBA degree and has been active in the Academic Volunteers Program within Centerville Schools, and her youngest child attended our school for two years. Substitute Teaching Staff From time to time, our teachers may need a session off. To continue to provide your children with quality education, we have a qualified team of substitutes to ensure a smooth day. Sometimes our permanent staff members who work on an alternate schedule may substitute. Ms. Christa is returning to AGSP this year as a Substitute, after a year of being our MWF Teacher's Aide. Christa came to AGSP with more than 15 years experience working with preschoolers. She has served as a Behavioral Specialist, Tutor, Before Care Director, Teacher Assistant, and Preschool Teacher. Christa has a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Community Services with an emphasis in Child Development. Ms. Erica has been a substitute teacher for A Great Start Preschool since January 2007, and has been a Teacher in our Smart Start Program. She attended University of Toledo for two years majoring in Education, and her son attended our school for two years. She is an active volunteer in the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools, and looks forward to returning to a permanent teaching position some day. Ms. Amy has been employed with AGSP as a Smart Start Teacher since 2008. After the 11-12 school year, she decided to "retire" to a Substitute Position, giving her more time to focus on her 5 children. Amy has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education and has worked in the public school system with children with learning disabilities, with middle school students, and as a substitute teacher. Our other subs include: Ms. Anna, Ms. Jennifer and Ms. Lynn.