PATRICIA WOOLDRIDGE
OWNER & DIRECTOR
Patricia was born and raised in Mexico before immigrating to the U.S. with her family at the age of five. She has been working with Children for over twenty-five years and is fluent in Spanish. Patricia graduated from California State University, San Marcos in 2001 with a degree in Psychology. After graduating, she worked with at-risk children as a mediator between families, teachers and community resources in San Diego, CA. She also mentored children in foster care during this time. Patricia is the mother of three and started her in-home child care shortly after moving to Wisconsin in 2005. She moved her in-home business to our previous Stoughton location in 2014 and now to our new facility in Fitchburg in 2020.
Our Story:
MLC has been in operation now for over fifteen years. MLC was first established as an in-home child care and offered Patricia an opportunity to stay home with her children. Patricia's love for her role as a teacher lasted well after her own children left the program for their first years in elementary school. MLC operated as an in-home school for nine years before expanding to the Stoughton site in 2014 and now to our Fitchburg site in 2020. MLC became a nationally accredited program through the National Accreditation Commission in the Spring of 2017.
Child Development and Language:
From the moment your child is enrolled at MLC, communication and instructions will be in Spanish (English will be used as necessary based on the child's language proficiency). Studies continue to show that the first five years of a child’s life are some of the most formative years. These years establish the foundation for the child’s future health, happiness, growth, and development. Research has also confirmed that the first five years are especially critical to the development of the child’s brain. “Early experiences provide the base for the brain’s organizational development and functioning throughout life. They have a direct impact on how children develop learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities.” In that same vein, there are multiple benefits of language learning during that same period. Some benefits of learning a second language include improved memory, stronger problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, enhanced concentration, ability to multitask, and better listening skills. MLC understands the impact we have as educators during this period of your child's development and we strive to provide the most enriching cultural, linguistic and artistic experience possible.