A new business has arrived on Main Street, Alachua that will be an educational resource for the parents and teachers of Alachua and surrounding counties. Sprout Learning Resources combines a store stocked with the highest quality educational materials along with classes for both children and adults.
The store, located in the former site of the Buttery Sweet Bakery at 14911 Main Street, features products from such companies as IKEA, Pottery Barn Kids, Melissa & Doug, Scholastic, Kumon, Montessori and Sylvan. The emphasis is on products that are not readily available in local stores, and on materials and services to support teachers and parents. Sprout will feature a teacher’s corner with bulletin board sets, curriculum, printables and a self service laminator. Also offered will be a weekly preschool story hour and monthly “make and take” teacher socials
Next door to the retail store, in the former location of The Limelight, Sprout will hold Professional Development courses and Creative Kids Studios. This large open space is a perfect place to realize Sprout’s motto “Get your hands dirty, make a mess, express yourself!” Creative Kids studios include the following:
• Multi-Medium Art Studio featuring art theory, color and design concepts, art history and painting working with two and three dimensional material.
• Children’s Photography Studio focusing on finding the perfect light, the elements of good composition and technical controls of the camera.
• Children’s Beading Studio includes basic stringing, earring making, making beads, buttons, window hangings, mobiles, pearl knotting, leather cord necklaces, wire wrapping, triple strand necklace, bead buddies for kids, clay pendants, spiral rings and much more.
• Mannerly Kids Etiquette Studio focusing on social and dining skills taught by the Florida Academy of Etiquette and Protocol.
• Fashion Design Studio with an emphasis on hands-on fun and self expression with fashion, with the opportunity for students to model their designs and showcase their achievements. Perfect for students interested in fashion design, stylist, retailer or model.
• Children’s Yoga Studio offers hour long classes will include stories, games and meditations to enhance flexibility, strength, coordination and improve concentration and calmness.
• Lil’ Chef’s Cooking Studio offered by What’s For Dinner…A Personal Chef Service, Lil’ Chef’s is an expansive but fun introduction for children to kitchen safety, following a recipe, safe food handling, and nutritional value all while making their own lunch.
Adults can benefit from the professional development and certification courses offered at Sprout. To accommodate busy teacher schedules, online courses such as Classroom Leadership, Working with Special Needs Children, and Adventure in the Arts give students maximum flexibility and allow them to earn CEU’s from the comfort of their own home. Classroom courses to be offered at Sprout include Facing the Challenge, a course designed to help teachers learn how to prevent children’s use of difficult behaviors and develop intervention strategies. Certifications currently available include CPR and First Aid courses recognized by The American Heart Association. Workshops and courses to be offered by Sprout grow weekly so visit their website for the latest offerings.
The idea for Sprout came from owner Rebecca McCuller’s years of experience in the field of education. As a parent and the owner and Director of the Spencer House Montessori School, she had searched for years to supply her own school and children with high quality, self-directing, and educational materials. This often included waiting until several teachers needed enough items to qualify for “free shipping” or running to Gainesville to try to reach specialty stores during business hours before they closed. The ideas for the Creative Kids Studios came from years of looking for similar enrichment opportunities for both her own two children and students, and feedback from parents at her school and in the community.
Having lived in the Alachua area for years, I am thrilled that there is such a great local resource for children, parents and teachers. It’s exciting that we are now able to actually see these wonderful products in person and that our children will have the opportunity to participate in the amazing extra -curricular programs offered at Sprout.
Adults can benefit from the professional development and certification courses offered at Sprout. To accommodate busy teacher schedules, online courses such as Classroom Leadership, Working with Special Needs Children, and Adventure in the Arts give students maximum flexibility and allow them to earn CEU’s from the comfort of their own home. Classroom courses to be offered at Sprout include Facing the Challenge, a course designed to help teachers learn how to prevent children’s use of difficult behaviors and develop intervention strategies. Certifications currently available include CPR and First Aid courses recognized by The American Heart Association. Workshops and courses to be offered by Sprout grow weekly so visit their website for the latest offerings.
The idea for Sprout came from owner Rebecca McCuller’s years of experience in the field of education. As a parent and the owner and Director of the Spencer House Montessori School, she had searched for years to supply her own school and children with high quality, self-directing, and educational materials. This often included waiting until several teachers needed enough items to qualify for “free shipping” or running to Gainesville to try to reach specialty stores during business hours before they closed. The ideas for the Creative Kids Studios came from years of looking for similar enrichment opportunities for both her own two children and students, and feedback from parents at her school and in the community.
Having lived in the Alachua area for years, I am thrilled that there is such a great local resource for children, parents and teachers. It’s exciting that we are now able to actually see these wonderful products in person and that our children will have the opportunity to participate in the amazing extra -curricular programs offered at Sprout.
Let Sprout spark your imagination!
Hours are 10-6 Monday - Friday and 10-3 on Saturdays.
www.sproutlearningresources.com
(386) 418-0006 |
