After 35 years, it’s Pryme Tyme for Wheeler to retire

June 2, 2016 | Chris Goudreau
cgoudreau@thereminder.com

Pryme Tyme Nursery School owner and director Karen Wheeler (center), who is set to retire, poses with former students Erica Stebbins (second from the left) and her son Lucas (left) as well as Mike Ford (fourth from the left) and his son Jack (right). Erica and Mike both graduated from Pryme Tyme in 1986 and have children currently attending the school.
Reminder Publications photo by Chris Goudreau

EAST LONGMEADOW – After 35 years of running Pryme Tyme Nursery School at 20 Baldwin St., owner and administrative director Karen Wheeler is set to retire. However, preschoolers will continue to learn and play at Pryme Tyme in the future under the direction of new owners.

“My role as owner and administrative director of Pryme Tyme has been the pinnacle in career choices for me, especially knowing with confidence that there is an abundance of love and support from the families I have served,” Wheeler said.

She continued, “The thought of owning my own business and being with children during their very early years was a goal of mine at a very early age. Opening a nursery school was very appealing. It aligned itself in my personal goals and life purposes.”

Wheeler opened Pryme Tyme in the fall of 1981 after remodelling her home in East Longmeadow. At that time, she only had one additional staff member on board. 

"The renovations created space for children to be introduced to activities they enjoy most – block building, dramatic play with costumes and puppets, literacy, music, arts, and science,” she explained. “Encouraging curiosity, creativity, spontaneity, social and emotional growth, exploration and developing pre-kindergarten readiness in the context of a social setting have been the cornerstones of Pryme Tyme.”

She said the philosophy at the school is that each child is important as the next one.

“We treat them all equally and we feel that they’re all ready when they go off to kindergarten because emotionally and socially they’re well rounded little individuals,” she explained.

Wheeler said she rented space in Meadow Brook Elementary School and East Longmeadow High School for several years before moving to the school’s current location.

Since opening its doors, Pryme Tyme has served more than 3,000 children in the community and grown to a staff of 12 members, Wheeler said. The preschool has been licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care and has a capacity of 69 students per day.

The preschool will be under the ownership of Colleen Molta and Jessica McDonald, a former teacher at Pryme Tyme, who would become the new director of the preschool, Wheeler said.

Wheeler said it’s going to be hard for her to leave Pryme Tyme, but she considers the preschool in good hands.

“Also, my staff is remaining and, trust me, they’re so closely knit. We work as a family,” she noted.

Wheeler said she plans to continue working part-time at the Center of Human Development in early intervention. She visits homes and works with children ages zero to three.

“My work will continue always with children,” she explained.

Mike Ford and Erica Stebbins, who both graduated from Pryme Tyme three decades ago in 1986 and have children currently attending the preschool.

Ford said he attended Pryme Tyme between the ages of three and five.

“I don’t have any memories of my experiences, but I get to experience it through my kids’ eyes and the experiences that [my five-year-old son Jack] comes home with and how happy he is and the connections he’s making and the things he’s learning … I feel like I’m reliving it through him.”

Stebbins, who works in the toddler room at Pryme Tyme, said she recalls singing songs with Wheeler when she attended the school. She noted her mother has also worked for the preschool for close to 30 years.

“Karen and all of the staff are almost like an extended family,” she noted. “Most of the staff has been here for years. I know the staff well. There’s such a level of comfort knowing that you’re sending your children to almost a second home. They care so much about the kids and they love so much and make the children their No. 1 priority.”

The staff at Pryme Tyme is hosting a gathering send-off for Wheeler on June 10 from 3 to 7 p.m. for current and alumni families, staff, and friends at Pine Knoll Recreation Area.

For more information call 525-7084.  

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