Philosophy & History
AccreditationPhilosophy
The philosophy of Ehmke’s Childhaven Preschool is to provide a warm, nurturing environment that encourages the development of the whole child. Our responsibility is the find the unique way each child learns, and we adapt our curriculum to meet all of their needs.
Services
Parents can choose which days they want their children to attend. We offer morning preschool, all day child care, before and after school care, and summer care. It is not required that children be toilet trained. We provide a healthy, well-balanced breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack, all of which are included in your price. Our facility maintains appropriate liability insurance and our policy is secondary to yours.
Peace of mind for Parents
Parents will feel comfortable leaving their little ones in the quality care of our loving staff that, together, have over 75 years teaching experience. Parents can also take comfort for their school age child because our center is a stop on the Whipple Ranch Elementary and Sequoia bus routes. Our staff also walk children to and from Nikolaus Homestead Elementary. See our security features on our Why Choose Us page.
The History of Ehmke’s Childhaven Preschool
Ehmke’s Childhaven Preschool opened it’s doors in March 1981. The original owners, Dr. Norm Ehmke, PhD and Mrs. Anita Ehmke, RN saw a need for a child care center in Show Low. Dr. Ehmke was the Show Low Junior High School Principal and Mrs. Ehmke was running a small preschool out of her home. When enrollment reached capacity and she began to have a waiting list she decided it was time to move it out of her house. The location it is in now is the same location she opened in in 1981. Ehmke’s was the first preschool in the White Mountains
In 1995, in order to continue to improve the services she offered to the children of the community, Mrs. Ehmke enrolled in a program in order to become Nationally Accredited. It was a movement that was sweeping the nation at the time. The center became Nationally Accredited in 1996 and has been ever since. Learn more about National Accreditation on the Accreditation page of this website.
In 2005, the Ehmke’s sold the preschool to their Assistant Director Eve Hoskins who continues to run it to this day with the same philosophy and dedication to the families and children of the community.