My son is attending The Village Preschool at Laughlin Children's Center this year. We are all very pleased with the professional and caring environment as well as the new skills he is working on each week. He loves his teachers and can't wait to get to school each day to see his friends and play. As a mom, I appreciate how their culture encourages parental involvement and have made several new friends myself. I would absolutely recommend this preschool to anyone.
My son currently attends the Village preschool at Laughlin Children's Center. My daughter also attended for two years and is now in Kindergarten. I feel so blessed to have found this "gem" of a school. The teachers truly care about the children and embrace their unique personalities and needs. The classroom is a wonderful environment for playing and learning. There is a focus on learning through play, which is one of the main reasons that I chose the preschool at Laughlin Center.
When my daughter started preK she was very timid and did not want to participate in some activities. The teachers were very patient and encouraged her every step of the way. They took the time to get to know her. They knew when to give her a gentle push and when to let her sit back and just watch. With their help and with time to mature, she gained so much confidence and is now blossoming even more in kindergarten and she loves it. My son has a very different personality and again his teachers (different teachers but under the same preschool director) are receptive to his particular needs. The lines of communication are always open and it is so clear that the teachers and staff truly care about the children and families.
I became a Board Member after my children were educated and helped at Laughlin Childrens Center. The Center far exceeded my expectations, from preschool education to speech and language services. The reason I support and advocate for LCC is because the staff and clinicians are highly motivated to help kids and families, attend ongoing continuing education classes and have grown so much that they are adding programming as families seek help for services either not offered locally or have excessive wait lists. When you read the long history of LCC helping kids, you see their mission has been and continues to be child-centered. I'm proud to be a Board member, and encourage families to contact them for speech, tutoring, mental help, dyslexia, occupational services or attending the accredited preschool programs offered for full school terms and also through active and educationally-engaging summer programs. Please check us out!
This is my sons second year attending preschool at, The Laughlin Children's Center. He loves going to school everyday. In the year in the past year we have seen him grow both socially and academically. Looking forward I will feel confident sending my son to Kindergarten based on the education that he received at The Village Preschool.
I am on the Board of Laughlin Children's Center ("LCC") and I can personally attest to the fact that LCC is truly a non-profit organization in that its sole mission is to improve the lives of children through outstanding academic, psychological, and speech services.
I chair a local consortium of non-profits, schools, and individuals, focused on reducing our community's teens' risky behaviors. Laughlin Children's Center has been instrumental in helping us to make progress in educating and serving parents and youth. The staff supports our efforts in a variety of ways, including helping to provide insight into youth development and how best to connect.
The Laughlin Children's Center has helped me personally. As a student that needed supplemental help the Center provided me a caring and supportive environment in which to learn . Now I have the honor and privilege of being a Board Member. The Center has evolved into more then just a tutorial supplement for students. The broader services in the areas of psychology, specific learning challenges such as Dyslexia and others are a tremendous asset to the Sewickley Valley and beyond.
Brendan Kenny
Board Member, LCC
I always hear great stories from parents of children that have received services at Laughlin. The entire staff is devoted to their clients/patients. Their therapists' clinical knowledge is unsurpassed and are capable in providing a wide range of services. It's their devotion and knowledge that yields remarkable results.
Laughlin Children's Center is a small but professional non-profit whose mission penetrates and accommodates those in need of assistance. Offering traditional therapy and tutoring (and more), they continue to update their programs and work diligently to keep their prices affordable. Hats off to their dedicated staff - many of whom have been there for years - who work to achieve positive and long lasting results in those they serve.
My children have been going to Laughlin for years to receive math tutoring and the results are undeniable. The rates are competitive and the service is exceptional.
My 10 year old son, Tony, has had therapy for Apraxia of Speech with Patti Bennett since he was 2 1/2 years old. They clicked right away and I know that he wouldn't be where he is today without her. When he was about 4 years old, he seemed to plateau after making great strides. We were told after an evaluation with a therapist who specialized in apraxia that "this may be Tony" and that we may want to think about what his future may look like.
Patti did not give up. She and Tony continued to work hard and he is doing great. He is currently main streamed at a local school and is entering the 5th grade. We will always be greatful to the Laughln Children's Center and Patti Bennett for all that they have done for our family.
As a donor and community member, I am impressed by the way the Laughlin Center uses its resources to keep prices affordable AND fund a financial aid program that has helped many families. I like knowing my donations are going toward program-related costs, and not being used to cover a lot of administrative or development expenses. Plus, I appreciate that my donations stay in my community, helping families who are neighbors and friends.
As a low income single mother, I am constantly working to provide the best experiences for my daughter. When she began struggling in elementary school, I contacted Laughlin Center & learned they have a phenomenal tuition assistance/ financial aid program which allowed me to register my daughter for regular tutoring sessions. She attended year round for a couple years, and then attended a couple years only during the school year, even though her grades were greatly improved. I believe that being pro active would keep her on top & help her from slipping backwards. It was the best decision as I would come to learn. My daughter now is a 7th grader, and in a challenging college prep program thru Summerbridge Pittsburgh, offered at Sewickley Academy. The admission process was long & detailed, and I was overjoyed when she was accepted. Thanks to Laughlin's investment in my daughter's potential & the incredible generosity of the donors, my daughter is on the right track to college. Her GPA for this past year was 3.98. I could not possibly be prouder or more thankful. She is performing 2 grade levels ahead in math & 1 grade level ahead for language arts. I highly recommend Laughlin Center to every parent I meet. They personify excellence thru their staff, education, dedication & committment.
The staff there are very nice and helpful. If your child is struggling in any areas, this is the place start. Very professional and friendly atmosphere. I have used their services for my child and they have great programs especially in the summer. They will work around your schedule.
My son receives speech therapy at the center. He is very shy and unsure of himself. His therapist is very understanding and kind. She allows me to attend the sessions to make him more at ease and is very respectful of his feelings. It has a very warm and inviting environment. Overall good experience.