Who We Are
We are a Preschool who has served the Derby community for 50 years. Our experienced staff teach children a theme-based curriculum centered around kindergarten readiness using research-based methods. We offer 2-day, 3-day or 5-day preschool classes for three- and four-year-old children.
Jack and Jill Preschool provides children an excellent education in a loving and Christian environment. Our focus is to provide age-appropriate activities based on the following beliefs:
Children learn best by doing.
Children benefit from planned educational activities.
For children, play is work.
Goals:
Kindergarten readiness, through knowledge of shapes and colors, as well as letter and number recognition
Exposure to art, music, books and sharing time
Provide an environment rich in manipulative play and learning activities
Develop social relationships
Meet The Team
Karen Riggins - Director
Karen begins her 11th year at Jack & Jill. This is her first year of directorship. She has taught the threes and fours here at the preschool. Her experience includes working for five years as an Early Childhood Special Education Para in the Derby School District. She also ran her own daycare in Derby for two years and was a Room Leader at Travis AFB Child Development Center in California for 6 1/2 years. Karen and her husband live in Derby.
Leslee Johnson - Teacher
Hello, my name is Leslee Johnson. This is my fifth-year teaching at Jack and Jill Preschool. I will be the teacher for the Tuesday and Thursday AM and MWF AM classes. I graduated from Dodge City Community College with an Associates degree in Early Childhood and from Pittsburg state with a Bachelors in Social Work. My husband and I live in Derby. My son goes to WSU and my daughter lives in Austin.
Cindy Spicer - Teacher
Hi! My name is Cindy Spicer. This is my eighth-year teaching at Jack and Jill Preschool. I will co-teach in the M-F AM class. I have an Early Childhood Education degree from K-State and 25 years of experience teaching preschool before I came to Jack and Jill. My husband Bill and I live in West Wichita. We have two grown sons. I am excited to share this year’s adventures in learning with you and your children.
Janet - Teacher
My name is Janet Postier. This is my 11th year at Jack and Jill. I will be teaching the MWF PM class. I love working with children and helping them learn and grow before entering kindergarten. I have lived in Derby 18 years, and I volunteer at the Woodlawn UMC in the children’s department, and I am the nursery coordinator. I am looking forward to meeting your child and working with them this year.
Ms. Kelly - Teacher
Hi! My name is Kelly Snead. This is my nineth year at Jack and Jill. I will teach the MWF AM class. I live in Derby with my husband and two daughters. Our girls are ages 16 and 17. We have three dogs, one guinea pig, and 2 ferrets. I have 12 years experience working with ages 4 months to 5-year-olds.
Janice Whalen- Teacher
I’m Janice Whalen and I will be co-teaching with Cindy Spicer in the M-F AM class. This will be my 25th year at Jack & Jill. I have a degree in Child Development from Purdue and 30+ years of teaching experience. The Air Force has moved our family from Indiana, Texas, Illinois, New York, and to Kansas in 1995.We have now made Derby our forever home. Our 2 sons are grown up now but our 4 legged kids (2 cats) keep us entertained.
I’m excited for the coming school year and can’t wait to meet you and your child!
Stephanie Johnson- Aide
Ms. Stephanie aides in Classroom A MWF PM class. I have been with Jack and Jill Preschool for two years. I am a mother of three and have lived in Derby for 15 years. I am a member of Woodlawn United Methodist Church, where I have volunteered with children and youth ministries for several years. My faith has called me to work with children. I am so excited for this school year to start. I cannot wait to meet all of the kiddos and help prepare them for grade school.
History
In 1967, an idea was formed by some mothers concerned because there was not a place, outside of attending Sunday School, for their children to be with other children before entering kindergarten. Mrs. Miriam Brubaker convinced the Administrative Board at Woodlawn UMC to allow the use of a room in Fellowship Hall to be used for a preschool to serve the community needs. The preschool opened in the fall of 1968. Now, over 55 years later, Jack & Jill is still dedicated to fostering the development of preschool children. Under the direction of a trained staff, the school provides an opportunity for young children to learn through active involvement with their environment.