Page 88 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2015

Brandy Mills, C.C.D.
Ovation Learning Center
Owner/Director
11149 Old Highway 49, Gulfport, MS
228.831.4652 www.ovationlearningcenter.com
IN BUSINESS
What would you like our readers to know about your business?
Ovation Learning Center is the Gulf Coast’s only Arts Preschool. OLC uses it’s custom curriculum, the Picasso Prodigy Program. This is the only curriculum in existence where M
is Monet and P is Picasso. OLC is turning ten years old this year, a full decade of graduates are out there in Big School making waves. Ovation accepts students into its program from 6 weeks until 12 years old. We also have a first class security system with keypad entry.
Our slogan for our tenth year is “Expect to be Accepted for Who You Are”. We strive to offer an individual approach to early education with creativity being encouraged and nurtured throughout the early years.
What do you like best about what you do? The most amazing things about Early Education are the huge changes you can make in a child’s life. Simple moments that turn into forever lessons. The connections we make
with our students is nothing short of
a family bond. Students from our first graduating class now intern with us
at OLC. The bonds that are formed between teachers, directors and
other classmates support the students throughout their educational career. We watch them succeed with the pride of a parent.
What sets your business apart from others in the same field? Our center is a full scale preschool program with heart. Even though, the average price of preschool rises across the Coast. We strive to keep our costs low for our families. OLC has always been
a kids first center. This makes a huge difference in how a business is ran
on a daily basis. Keeping a secure educational atmosphere is the most important. We do not let ourselves be distracted with other goals. Education, Creativity and Imagination are at the forefront of our program. OLC offers discounts for Teachers, Military and First Responders furthering the support in the community.
Did you know that you would end up working with children? Since I was
a young child, I knew the importance of the Arts in a child’s life. Throughout my educational background, you can see that children were on my mind. First as an Elementary Education major, I was able to form Arts lessons that spoke to a younger audience. Then when I earned my B.S. in Psychology, Early Intervention became very important. Later, I was accepted into the Masters of Children and Family Graduate School Program at the University of Southern Mississippi.
As a Graduate student my research focus has been on Early Intervention and overcoming childhood neglect. This has helped me shape Ovation into the school it is today. We work closely with DHS helping ease foster children’s experiences while away from home. Security has always been something I wanted to offer children of the Coast. Ovation Learning Center gives that to the students and the parents, by offering a safe place to go and grow.
Is there anything you would change to make the Coast better ? I was born on the Coast and now operate a preschool 15 minutes away from that exact spot! It is a gift to have worked with hundreds of children on the Coast, my home. My plans are
to offer more options for Preschool for children with Autism and other disabilities. I am now serving on the Bright Beginnings board, and hope to use that knowledge to expand resources for Coast parents. Every child regardless of disability deserves an elite preschool experience and hopefully OLC will be the school to offer that in the future.
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