AELC Turns One! What is the best way to celebrate a first birthday? Gather dozens of parents, friends and grandmothers in the children's theater at the Andrus Early Learning Center (AELC) in Tuckahoe's Village Hall for a gala performance. On April 25, we did just that - officially celebrated the AELC's first birthday with singing, dancing, a violin solo and lots of cake.
The AELC opened its doors in April 2012 with an enrollment of 52 pre-schoolers, but with the beautiful renovation of Village Hall's third floor and the addition of infant care, more than 110 children, ages six weeks to five years old, come every day for learning, growing and nurturing care.
Little Rita Morgan opened the program with a lively violin solo, demonstrating what she has absorbed in the past few months of Suzuki lessons offered at AELC by Concordia Conservatory. She was joined by 20 pre-school friends for spirited singing, with smiles and clapping by the audience. No party is complete without presents. AELC's arrived in the arms of members of the Tuckahoe Girl Scout Troop # 1466 who marched into the theater with 13 brightly colored baskets filled with hundreds of brand new books and a gaily-painted bookshelf for the Emily McKnight Corry Toy Library, a feature of the new Center.
As CEO Nancy Ment explained, "The support of so many local friends has allowed ANDRUS to move forward in serving young families in Southern Westchester County. I am so thankful to everyone here for their great care and concern for these young children who are clearly thriving under AELC Director Vidia Cordero." Special guests of honor included John Mack and Sharlyn Carter whose generosity has funded the Carter Arts Wings, and Peg Cady whose deep long standing commitment is reflected in the Margaret F. Cady Staff Resource Room.
Following the performance, guests visited the Caf�, where AELC children enjoy hot and nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks every day, and the party continued with homemade brownies and carrot cake.
Due to overwhelming demand and waiting lists for the AELC program, ANDRUS has now announced that is has contracted with the Village of Tuckahoe to lease additional first-floor space for an extra toddler program classroom. We are proud that the Andrus Early Learning Center is growing and changing, helping working families with superb day care and the finest early childhood education available.