May 29, 2002

Small World closing causes big heartaches

Demand for full-time day care demise of local nursery school

By Lisa Perkins
Herald staff writer
      When the teachers from Small World Nursery School said their end-of-the-year good-byes last Friday, the words were bittersweet. The school, after 20 years in Traverse City, will not re-open in the fall.
      "It hasn't hit home yet, this time of year the children are always moving on, it will really hit in September when we don't go back to school," said Sue Cell, a teacher at the school for 18 years.
      Cell, who says she plans to take it easy with her husband David, said there is one thing she is happy about - no more saving toilet paper rolls and egg cartons for arts and crafts.
      "Heart-wise you would like to continue, but business-wise you know you can't," said school director and teacher, Bev Granger.
      "Needs have changed and people are looking for more full-time day care rather than the pre-school programs that we offered," noted Granger who has been with the school for nine years.
      Over the past nine years, enrollment has dropped from more than 100, filling five classes, to 36 this year in two classes.
      Stephanie McCrumb of Traverse City enrolled her five-year-old son Max in the program last fall.
      "It has been a great experience for him, the staff is so warm and caring, he really feels loved. We are disappointed that this will not be an option for other sons," noted McCrumb of two-year-old Sam and three-month-old Benjamin.
      Kevin and Beth Cragg of Traverse City feel lucky that their daughters, six-year-old Kayla and four-year-old Kelsey, attended Small World.
      "This was a quality program for the girls, we're disappointed that it is closing, but glad we made it all the way through," said Kevin.
      Granger shares the disappointment expressed by the parents.
      "The best thing is sitting in one of their little chairs and letting the children approach you with their questions, they always ask such funny questions, I'm going to miss that - that, and the staff," Granger said.
      Fran Kamps said she has a lot of fond memories of the school - not only for this past year working there, but for the years that her children attended the program.
      "I'm really sorry to see it come to an end, it's been a part of our lives for a long time," she said.