First Presbyterian Preschool Celebrates 20 Years of Growing Minds, Hearts and Community

MOUNT DORA, FL — First Presbyterian Preschool is celebrating 20 years of nurturing children, supporting families, and building lasting relationships in the Mount Dora community.

The preschool opened its doors in 2006 with two teachers and four classrooms. The response from families was immediate, and the school quickly expanded to six classrooms to meet the demand.

Today, First Presbyterian Preschool has a dedicated staff of seven teachers, assistants, and Director Amy Gustafson. The school offers VPK and K3, and this year marks an exciting new chapter with the addition of a Kindergarten class.

The school serves an average of 60 students each year and consistently operates at capacity, often maintaining a waiting list for families hoping to enroll. Remarkably, the preschool doesn't need to rely on extensive advertising. Word-of-mouth recommendations and returning families continue to fill the school.

According to Director Amy Gustafson, the reason families keep coming back is the combination of high-quality teachers, a loving and friendly atmosphere, and the intimate setting of a smaller school.

“The greatest joy for me is the personal connections we have with the families because of the size of our school,” Gustafson said. “We really get to know our children and their families.”

Those relationships have become an important part of the preschool's 20-year story. Generations of children have passed through its classrooms, while many families have returned year after year, creating a strong sense of community.

Looking ahead, Gustafson has an even bigger vision for the school. Her dream is to add a grade each year and eventually create an elementary school.

“The only thing we need is the space,” she said.

As First Presbyterian Preschool celebrates two decades, the school is grateful for the teachers and staff who have devoted themselves to educating young children, the families who have entrusted their children to the preschool, and the church and community that have supported its mission.

From two teachers and four classrooms in 2006 to a thriving school serving approximately 60 children each year, First Presbyterian Preschool's first 20 years have been a story of growth, relationships, and a community that believes in giving children a strong beginning.

And with Kindergarten now joining the preschool, the next chapter is already underway.

First Presbyterian Preschool — celebrating 20 years of helping children learn, grow, and thrive.