About Me

My name is Karen McGuigan.  I have a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from ASU, and I am a certified teacher.  I am CPR and first aid certified, I hold a valid fingerprint clearance card, and I have been certified by the AZ Department of Health and Childcare Services.  I chose to teach preschool because I LOVE the wonder and excitement children this age have about learning.  I am passionate about creating an environment that combines a lot of academic challenge with a lot of fun!  I decided to teach from home so that I can keep my class size small (I only take 10 students!) and so that I can teach my class without worrying about what administrators or politicians think I should be teaching.  If we are having a great time learning about dinosaurs, we can keep right on going!  If we have become bored with dinosaurs, we can move on!  I individualize most parts of our day, so each child is being met right at their level and then encouraged to go further.  I also teach from home so that I am able to teach Bible stories, scripture verses, and age-appropriate lessons about things like Christmas and Easter.  Though spiritual growth is not the main focus of Little Hands Learning Center, it is a part of our everyday classroom activities.
This year, I am excited to announce that I have a new teaching assistant!!  Her name is Jenn, she is incredible with kids, has years of experience working with young children, and is loving and genuine!  She is married, with three children of her own, ages 11, 6, and 4.  I have had the privilege of teaching two of her three children, and I am so excited to have her join us in the classroom!
I have been married for almost 18 years, and I have three amazing kids of my own.  My daughter is thirteen, my older son is ten, and my youngest son is seven.  Little Hands Learning Center has been an incredible blessing in our lives, as we have all come to love my students and their families.

Classes

Pre-K
*Must be 4 years old by November 1st, and potty trained by the first day of school.
*Meets Monday - Thursday, from 8:45-11:45

Tuition: $250 per month
Annual Supply Fee: $100 (Due upon enrollment to hold your child's spot)


Preschool
*Must be 3 years old by September 1st, and potty trained by the first day of school.
*Meets Tuesday and Thursday, from 8:45-11:45

Tuition: $165 per month
Annual Supply Fee: $100 (Due upon enrollment to hold your child's spot)

Mission Statement

Little Hands Learning Center

Mission Statement

My goal is to provide high quality education to preschool age children using research-based curriculum and teaching methods. I hope to inspire children to learn by providing a warm, nurturing environment where children are excited to explore their surroundings and interact with me and with each other.  I believe that children learn best when they feel comfortable and when they have a connection with their teacher and classmates, and I will work hard to create and maintain relationships with each of my students.  I will weave God’s word into the day through music, Bible stories, prayer, and classroom dialogue. I plan to help each child grow cognitively, emotionally, physically, and spiritually by providing developmentally appropriate activities and materials. I will keep class sizes small, so that I can reach each child individually at his or her own level and help them to achieve goals at their own pace. By balancing diligent planning with flexibility, I will keep learning exciting, providing engaging lessons that are both teacher-directed and child-centered.  I hope to foster a lifetime love for learning in my students that they can take with them into their elementary years and beyond.