Child care provider celebrates pre-K graduation

Sparta — On a recent sunny afternoon the gym at K.E.E.P., Inc. was filled with proud parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, fellow L’il KEEPERS and staff eagerly waiting for the festivities to begin.
The L’il KEEPers Preschool Class of 2016 graduates were about to make their appearance and the excitement was contagious. Following the welcome, as the strains of Pomp and Circumstance filled the room, the graduates began the Graduation March led by the color guard. (Close observation detected a few parental tears amid the smiles and applause but the shedders shall remain nameless, of course.)
The color guard then led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a graduation song sung by the entire class. PreK Lead Teacher, Alice O’Connor, presented each graduate with their diploma. Then it was time for photo ops and refreshments. CEO Tricia A. Smith commented that "graduation is such a milestone for the children, such a happy occasion full of the promise of the future but also leaves the staff feeling a bit wistful as we see the children, many of whom we have had with us since infancy, ready to move on to Kindergarten.”
K.E.E.P., Inc. is the largest non-profit child care provider in Sussex County offering a variety of affordable, flexible programs for children ages six weeks to thirteen years of age. L’il KEEPers, for infants through Pre-K, Summer KEEP for ages 3 years to thirteen years, Holiday KEEP and Snow Day Keep for school aged children, are all held at the state of the art building conveniently located just off Route 15 in the Sparta Business Park. Before and after-school programs are held on site at many public school locations. K.E.E.P. accepts NORWESCAP payments with never an excess fee. Unlimited financial assistance is available for all qualified families. For more information on any of K.E.E.P.’s programs visit the website at www.keepkids.org or call 973-383-2213.