A Small World, an innovative daycare and preschool for children up to five years old celebrated the success of seven months of operation with an open house for parents and prospective students.

The school, at 9401 SW 168th Street, has grown from 12 to 25 children and employs five classroom teachers, many of whom hold associate degrees in child development and have between four and eight years of teaching experience.

The Perrine-Cutler Ridge Community Council has awarded the school its Neighborhood Beautification Award for being the most aesthetically improved business in the area.

Owner and director Vivianne Kissane says that in both design and curriculum the school has been planned to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment in which each child's aptitudes can reach their fullest potential.

It has five classrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a screened patio, a library and an arts and science laboratory. The grounds are lushly landscaped with numerous flower gardens, a butterfly garden, a vegetable garden and a "fairy garden."

Children may choose from a wide variety of playground equipment and playhouses. They may also select activities of interest to them from a prepared environment, which is geared toward academic, physical, social and emotional growth.

"Some of our special activities have included programs about reptiles and amphibians, a visit from Mother Nature, Starfire the environmentalist programs, magic camp, safari day, and farm day with horseback riding," said Kissane.

The pre-school curriculum for children age 3-5 includes musical instrument instruction, multi-media arts and crafts, movement activities, gardening, classroom cooking, outdoor science, an arts and science laboratory and computer-assisted instruction.

The infant and toddler program features activities designed to further develop large and small muscle skills, and provide early learning activities that emphasize the five senses. It continues each child's home schedule feeding times, napping and diapering. The program provides an active environment with materials and experiences that stimulate, motivate, and entertain the children. Toilet training, communication and social skills are all incorporated in the program.

Kissane is a Dade County public school teacher studying for a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction. She studied at Florida International University and specialized in early childhood development. She earned her Masters in education in 1990 and a bachelors degree in advertising and marketing from the University of Miami in 1988. She also has a Child Development Associate credential and is a state certified daycare and preschool teacher.

Kissane received state certification as a daycare-preschool owner-operator in 1998 from Miami Dade Community College. She is a member of the South Florida Preschool Parent Teacher Association as well as the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

For more information, please contact A Small World School at 305-278-2285 or via the Internet by sending email to ASWSchool2@aol.com.