Sunrise Rotary Hears of Montessori Program for Effingham Area

(FROM LEFT: ROTARY WEEKLY PROGRAM CHAIRMAN BECKY BROWN, PROGRAM SPEAKER BRAD JANSEN WITH DAUGHTER CHARLIE, AND SUNRISE ROTARY PRESIDENT JEANINE HEUERMAN)

Brad Jansen spoke at this week's Effingham Sunrise Rotary to discuss how he and his wife are using their entrepreneurial spirit and trying to help to solve the child care crisis in Effingham County. Jansen said they are coming back to their hometown and starting Montessori Kids Universe (MKU) to help fill this community need.

Prior to moving back to the area, he worked in agriculture, but with seeing the need and having four kids of his own, they are bringing the franchise MKU, based out of Miami, FL to meet the need.

Jansen and MKU hope to be able to have slots for 95 children (75 with COVID restrictions) with 15-20 full time teachers on staff. Teachers will receive Montessori certification, which enhances mixed aged classrooms and discovery model learning.

The hope is that MKU Daycare will be open in January 2021. It will be open for children 6 weeks to 6 years with daily preschool year round. They hope to also create an afterschool program for older children.