A ribbon cutting was held to commemorate the opening of a new Wee Warriors childcare facility in Milford Monday, July 28. Pictured in the front row from left are Sherry Searles, LaunchPad; S-W Chamber Ambassador Carey Larson, Shades and Shutters; S-W Chamber Ambassador Missy Longenecker, RE/MAX Partners; Ella Howell; Wee Warriors Director Leticia Howell; Reyna Howell; Assistant Clerk-Treasurer Renda Loetz; Clerk-Treasurer Tricia Gall; and Town Marshal Thomas Waikel.
In the second row are S-W Chamber Ambassador Tyler Huffer, Titus Funeral Home; S-W Chamber Ambassador Dan Buckman, State Farm; S-W Chamber Ambassador Sheryl Colquit, Eastlund Funeral Home; S-W Chamber Ambassador Marlies West, Goshen Medical; S-W Chamber Ambassador Melody Cusick, RE/MAX Partners; S-W Chamber Ambassador Jason Dewart, Interra Credit Union; S-W Chamber Ambassador Justin Beer, First State Bank.
In the back row are Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brent Randall, Rex Howell and Utilities Superintendent Steven Marquart. Photo by Lilli Dwyer

By Lilli Dwyer
InkFreeNews

MILFORD — Wee Warriors childcare celebrated the opening of its new Milford location with a ribbon cutting this morning, Monday, July 28.

Wee Warriors’ newest location is in the former New Beginnings Preschool building at 706 W. Syracuse St., Milford.

Owner and Director Leticia Howell and her husband, Rex, leased the building from the town of Milford back in June, looking to provide more childcare for families in the area. Wee Warriors encompasses five childcare facilities, including the micro center recently opened in Syracuse’s Cavalry United Methodist Church as part of a state pilot program.

“It’s definitely needed,” Leticia Howell said of the new facility. “I just think that bringing quality childcare is what’s been needed. We’re just breathing life back into this building, I feel like.”

Wee Warriors of Milford still has openings available for kids ages 6 weeks to 12 years old, including before and after school care. There are 23 students enrolled so far, but the facility’s capacity is 61. There are four classrooms for infants, toddlers and pre-K kids.

Preschool officially begins Monday, Aug. 18.

Pre-K classrooms at Wee Warriors feature spaces for reading, science and math, art, dramatic play and a sensory bin. There is a playground with a sandbox, as well as a basketball hoop for the older kids.

Preschool kids, Howell said, do themed activities based on what they’re learning that week. They will follow the Frog Street curriculum, which was previously used at New Beginnings.

Older kids who come after school can eat a snack, play and get help with their homework during their time at Wee Warriors.

“It keeps them engaged and doing things until their parents pick them up,” said Leticia Howell.

In the summer there are special events, like last week’s Local Heroes Week, where kids got a visit from local police and fire personnel and got a chance to investigate their trucks. Next week is Sports Week, featuring a visit from a karate teacher and a local volleyball coach.

Wee Warriors has two open houses for interested families coming up: 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, July 31; and noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9.

Wee Warriors accepts Childcare and Development Fund vouchers and the L.E.A.P. scholarship.

Wee Warriors is open 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To learn more, call (574) 658-3177.