Celebree School Offers Parents a New Childcare Option in Tulsa
When Karl and Jennifer Neumaier began looking at the next stage of their life together, they knew the choice would have to be something that made a positive impact on the community. As COO of Hilti, Karl had a passion for team development and coaching. With her teaching background, Jennifer understood the impact of early learning. After researching options, the couple found a business that would combine their skills and passions, while filling a need in the Tulsa community. Early this year, the Neumaiers will open Celebree School in a specially remodeled space at KingsPointe Village, located at 61st and Yale Ave.
“Celebree gave us an opportunity to give back to the community.” Karl Neumaier said, “We can invest in staff members and build their careers, and also focus on growing the whole child – mental, emotional, gross- and fine-motor skills, social – to prepare kids for kindergarten and for success in school. We can grow people big and small.”
Team Development
The Celebree model for career growth matched Karl’s philosophy of team development. He quickly acknowledges that childcare is not a high-paying job, but his plan is to hire the best people, retain them and then help them develop. The Neumaiers hired Kim Brown as the school director before the school building had even opened its doors in order to establish a foundation and to hire quality employees.
Kim Brown, director of Celebree School
“Kim has amazing experience in early childhood education,” Karl Neumaier said. “We want to hire good employees and build their potential. They may even own their own school someday. If you’re an aide, you can be on a path to become a teacher. If you’re already a teacher, there’s a path to be a lead teacher and then a path to be an administrator.”
Celebree will pay for a CDA (Child Development Associate) if an employee wants to get the credential to be a teacher. The school also has a list of continuing education courses that are state approved.
“I’m excited to bring something like this to Tulsa,” Brown said. “It’s a different experience than what I’m used to. It’s about building connections, teaching children empathy and caring about others, and being supportive of our families and our teachers.”
A Proven Approach
Celebree uses Conscious Discipline, a model created by Dr. Becky Bailey, as a classroom management tool. Conscious Discipline builds a positive environment where children can learn to self-regulate, building self-esteem and confidence as they learn appropriate ways to understand and express themselves.
“Parents are the most important part of children’s lives,” Brown said, “but we’ll take a close second. Parents are entrusting us with their children, so we will work to support the families and build a connection with them as a team. You’re not just dropping your child off and going to work. You’re leaving your child at a place where you feel comfortable.”
Karl Neumaier believes that administrators and owners should be an active part of that communication team, talking with parents and staff at the beginning and end of each day.
Celebree School uses developmentally appropriate, engaging, play-based and project-based learning. Teachers have flexibility within the structure to develop children’s interests. Jennifer Neumaier, who has experience teaching Spanish to young children, hopes to incorporate that at Celebree.
“My hope is that I get them when they’re little so that they’re familiar with the language, and they won’t be afraid of it later,” she said. “Young children are so receptive to learning. You just have to give them a good start.”
Enrollment
Celebree is currently enrolling ages 6 weeks – preschool. They also provide before- and after-school care and summer camps.
Betty Casey is the associate publisher and editor in chief of TulsaKids Magazine. She has been with TulsaKids over 20 years.
