Families, teachers save Ohio preschool weeks from closure

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Powell preschool feared its doors would close last month, but on April 1 the halls were filled with gleeful shrieks, wooden toys and congratulatory flowers.

The sign at the small preschool just off Sawmill Parkway still reads "Guidepost Montessori," but Lani Helms, the head of schools, was ecstatic to share that the place is now an official Montessori Kids Universe location. When Helms and two other Montessori preschools in Columbus got just weeks' notice that they would be closing, families and teachers said they were scrambling.

The Powell location had been one of the best Guideposts in the country, but it opened later than other schools and was cut in Guidepost Montessori's financial woes. Wondering if they may have to buy the school themselves, Helms said saving the school was a community effort. Families came in on a Saturday to attend a town hall to work to keep the preschool open, and parents submitted testimonies in support of the educators.

"We went from being laid off, our school's completely closed, our parents scrambling for answers of what they're going to do with their kids and staff members heartbroken that we were all losing our jobs," Helms said. "You're here now because everybody came together. Nobody wanted to leave each other."

Exactly three weeks after Lani Helms thought she and all of her coworkers were out of work, they signed the letter of intent with new management. Working with both Montessori Kids Universe and Guidepost, the school was able to transition and stay open, keeping more than 30 families in the childcare they'd grown to love. Helms said although families have rallied and offered support, even tuition was able to stay the same.

"We all thought we were going to retire there, so it's bittersweet. It's very bittersweet," Helms said. "But with Montessori Kids Universe coming in, it's kind of a rejuvenated hope and excitedness of something new, but also we get to be the very best at what we're doing. We get to stay Montessori."

Montessori education emphasizes independence and individualized learning, and Helms said she works for a school, not a daycare. Montessori is part of the school down to the decorations, which are minimal to emphasize nature. Foot-tall wooden tables and child-size sinks replace stepstools or colorful plastic found at other childcare locations. Classroom pets are abundant, and children can serve themselves lunch, cut their own fruit, and teach one another skills.

Helms believes so strongly in the program that both her sons attend the school she heads.

"I can definitely see the difference between my older son that's three, where he was home with me and I'm doing all these things with him," Helms said. "Compared to my 12-week-old that started in Montessori and is sitting there using the toilet at nine months old, and I have a three-year-old who's not potty trained yet."

It wasn't the easiest journey; nine years ago Helms' daughter died before she was six weeks old. She said when she had her boys, she had wanted to stay home with them and hesitated to trust anyone else with her kids. Families staying with the school means the world to Helms, as she understands the trust it takes.

"Earning the trust of parents, that's the biggest thing for me. Knowing that your students, your children, they are in the absolute best care while we're here," Helms said. "That's number one to me because I understand. You are trusting people with your child's lives, and I do not take that lightly, and I don't think any of our staff members here do either. Something brought us here together, and I think it makes it really special."

Montessori Kids Universe Columbus offers programs for children as young as six weeks up through age six, although Helms said they hope to offer elementary programming in the future. They are open for enrollment.