A new children's day care opens in Greer on Aug. 10.
Little Me Academy is the dream of Mandi Warner Newton, a former elementary school teacher at Mountain View Elementary School, who developed a love for working with children when she was six years old playing with babies and toddlers at a child development center. Now, Mandi is thrilled to be able to provide her caring and expertise to the growing Greer community.
"I love children and I am so excited now that I can have a day care I can do my way," Mandi says.
Mandi is a graduate of Greer High School and earned a B.A. degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina Upstate. She also enjoyed four years as a 1K teacher at United Memorial Methodist CEP program in Greer. Mandi and her husband, Ronnie, are parents of four children, Katelyn, Todd, Carter, and Cole. The family is a member of NewSpring Church in Spartanburg.
"It has always been a dream to open my own preschool," Mandi says. “After many prayers and God's timing, I am excited to introduce you to Little Me Academy at O'Neal Village.
The day care is nestled in a residential community developed by the award winning TRG Communities (The Randolph Group) specializing in creating imaginative places for people to live, work and play while enjoying a tranquil quality of life and lifestyle.
O’Neal Village surrounds Little Me Academy providing connectivity for families throughout the neighborhood, its parks and community playground and a pool guarded by a clubhouse and physical fitness center that strategically hides the area from public roads and access. The community’s amenities add additional opportunities for an active and safe daycare unlike any other in greater Greer.
The day care’s hours, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday give parents a safe, active and learning environment while older siblings attend elementary, middle school and high schools nearby. Drop off and pickup times are more easily coordinated and centralized. Little Me Academy will operate on the same schedule as the Greenville County school system.
Little Me Academy, at 120 Wicker Park Avenue, is hosting an open house block party on Saturday, July 25, 4-7 p.m. Games for the children and tours of the building are 4-6 p.m. and musician Justin Hill will perform at 6 o’clock. BBQ plates can be purchased until supplies run out.
Mandi, who will teach the 4K children, says plans already include expanding the playground. “I'm very excited about the playground,” Mandi says. "We are planning on buying a large playground for inside the fence and adding equipment outside the fence as well so that the children of the neighborhood will have some place to play during our operating hours."
Little Me Academy has partnered with Southern Dance Academy for Christmas and Spring recitals for the children to enjoy. “We are also partnering with Kindermusik.” Mandi says.
Other associates at Little Me Academy include Cindy Davis (4K), Janice Hannah (3K), and Beth Blanton (2K).
Little Me Academy
120 Wicker Park Avenue
Director: Mandi Warner Newton
Open House: Saturday, July 25, 4-7 PM
Grand Opening: Monday, Aug. 10
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday
Information: email [email protected]