Our philosophy
Our program is committed to the belief that children build confidence, joy, and independence through respect, love, and a strong sense of self. We focus on the developmental skills by:
- Providing hands on experiences through arts & crafts activities, play dough, music activities, science and cooking, structured playground individual and team exercises, and open play.
- Presenting problem-solving techniques that hone children’s critical thinking skills to build a better self-concept within a positive atmosphere.
Meet our Founders and Staff
Cheri Ortega
Founder
Cheri Ortega is a Founder of Ready,Set, Grow! Preschool. In addition, she was the Teacher and Director for over 22 years. Cheri started teaching preschool in 1991. She cultivated the co-operative experience in the community and through her developmental philosophy educated countless children, providing a solid foundation for their academic future. Cheri retired in 2018 and currently lives with her family in San Diego County.
Karen Stowe
Founder/Board Member
Karen founded Ready, Set, Grow Preschool with Cheri Ortega in 1996. Her son, Cody now proudly serving our country was Ready, Set, Grow's very first student. Karen's grandchildren have and will attend the preschool. She serves as a member of our board of directors and is passionate about ensuring the success of our co-op.
Alyssa Paddie
Director/Teacher
Alyssa Paddie is the Director/ Teacher at Ready, Set Grow! Preschool. She has studied Early Childhood Education locally as well as attends the annual CCPPNS convention. This is Alyssa’s ninth year at Ready, Set, Grow. All three of Alyssa's children attended RSG, her oldest is graduating high school next year. She is married with three children and has lived locally for 30 years. She is passionate about studying Child Development. Embracing the idea of the whole child, Alyssa believes the cooperative preschool experience is a unique opportunity for creating a positive foundation for a child’s future.