DEPARTMENT MENU

Little Colonels Academy

As a Level III preschool center, Little Colonels Academy strives to make a positive difference in the lives of our young children and their families, as well as candidates of Nicholls State University who are an integral and crucial part of our lab school. We do this by being a leader in the early childhood field and modeling high-quality, innovative, and creative early childhood practices. Providing quality care for children 6 weeks to 6 years of age, it is our mission to provide the highest quality education for the children within our center while at the same time providing Nicholls candidates’ effective training opportunities.  To that end, all individuals who share a vested interest in the success of LCA embrace a team approach to support and enhance the growth and development of the children within our care.

The LCA philosophy is guided by continuous early childhood research and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines for developmentally appropriate practices in conjunction with Louisiana Early Development Standards (ELDS). Implementation of the NAEYC guidelines and ELDS ensures that learner goals and experiences are rigorous while remaining age, individually and culturally appropriate. These practices support meaningful active learning  within environments that foster kindness, intellectual growth, and the joy of discovery.

Registration

If you are interested in registering your child with Little Colonels Academy, please complete the Little Colonels Academy Online Application.

As an opening becomes available, we will contact you in the following priority track:

  • siblings of children already attending the Little Colonels Academy Program
  • children of Nicholls faculty/staff
  • children of currently enrolled Nicholls students
  • children of community members – in order of application date submitted.

Tuition

Tuition is due the first business day of each month. A late fee of $10 per day is accrued beginning the sixth business day of the month until full payment is received.

Tuition is as follows: (Monthly)
$615 for Community Members
$575 for Nicholls faculty/staff
$555 for currently enrolled Nicholls students
* LCA accepts tuition assistance through the Louisiana Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for qualifying families.

Little Colonels Academy implements Creative Curriculum, a state and nationally approved curriculum, on a daily basis. This curriculum provides teachers with the instructional guidelines necessary for developing age appropriate learning activities for children aligned with Louisiana’s Early Learning and Developmental Standards (ELDS). The curriculum is used as a guide for learning and development based on children’s age and developmental level, the needs of families and individual children, and cultural awareness through established learning activities. Implementation of the curriculum involves children in ways that use as many senses as possible, immersing the children in the experience. Activities are designed to help children make sense of their world and are based on a well-planned classroom environment with activities and materials that encourage interaction with classmates, materials, and adults. Our curriculum allows for engagement in opened-ended, individualized, and developmentally appropriate activities through relationship-based care with infants and younger toddlers while older toddlers and preschoolers engage in learning stations, whole group, small group, and outdoor activities.

 

What are developmentally appropriate practices?

The developmentally appropriate framework fosters the “whole child” through acquisition of skills such as large and fine motor, social, emotional, language, cognitive and adaptive. These skills are facilitated through hands-on, meaningful and concrete activities through an eclectic approach, combining developmental experiences from many early childhood models as activities are designed based on each child’s age and ability level. 

How does LCA foster developmentally appropriate practices?

Within our program, children are involved in their own learning to support the development of higher level thinking skills such as critical thinking, concept formation, and creative thinking. Children will be given time to play and explore in the classroom environment and have real-world experiences through field trips, books, and guests.

How will LCA guide and/or discipline my child?

Guidance and discipline is administered in a positive and consistent manner in order to encourage self-regulation, respect for others, and self-confidence. It is our philosophy that we guide children in becoming responsible for themselves and their actions. We allow children to explore their limits within a safe environment as they observe the positive and negative consequences of specific behaviors. As each child is unique, our interventional strategies are adaptable and flexible to meet the needs of each learner. LCA Staff does not resort to any form of physical or corporal punishment (yelling, spanking, yanking, shaking, pinching, etc.), humiliation, threats, intimidation, or withholding of food as forms of corrective discipline. Physical discipline, of any kind, is not tolerated on LCA grounds or during LCA community activities by anyone.

Is my child provided meals?

LCA learners are provided a morning snack, hot lunch, and an afternoon snack. If a child requires a special diet due to health or family preference, parents can request an alternative lunch menu via email. LCA offers the following alternatives: (1) vegetarian diet; (2) vegan diet; or (3) dairy-free diet. 

What if my child requires formula or mother’s milk?

LCA administrators and staff understand diverse feeding needs for infants. Within our center, nursing mothers can choose to provide mother’s milk in appropriate containers, nurse within the infant room, or nurse within our Family Engagement Room – which provides a more quiet, comfortable, and personal experience. 

Do all individuals interacting with my child have background checks?

All employees, volunteers, therapists, observers, and any other visitor interacting with children at the center, with the exception of individuals dropping off and/or picking up children,  are required to complete a background check through the Child Care Civil Background Check System. This system scans the following databases: (1) Louisiana Bueau’s criminal history, (2) FBI, (3) National Sex Offender Registry, (4) Louisiana Sex Offender Registry, (5) Louisiana child Abuse and Neglect Registry, and (6) each state’s criminal/sex offender/abuse and neglect registries in which the individual has resided in the past five years. 

What if my child is sick, becomes ill, or is injured?

Upon arrival at the center, each child will be observed for possible signs of illness, infections, bruises, injuries, physical condition, etc. If a child seems to be ill (unusually pale, irritable, tired, uninterested in usual activities or eating) without obvious symptoms, the child will be monitored by staff members and the director informed.  If your child becomes sick or injured while in our care, staff members are expected to immediately notify the director or operations coordinator who will immediately notify parents. Children may be sent home if the following symptoms occur: (1) vomiting, (2) two or more loose stools, and/or (3) fever over 99.99 degrees. Children must be fever free for a minimum of 24 hours (without medication) to return to the center.

Faculty and Staff

Executive Director

Dr. Mistie Perry Lasseigne
Phone: 985.448.4338
Email: mistie.lasseigne@nicholls.edu 

Director

Mrs. Katie Lasserre
Phone: 985-449-7104
Email: katie.lasserre@nicholls.edu

Operations Coordinator

Ms. Sarah Lindley
Phone: 985.449.7105
E-mail: sarah.daviet@nicholls.edu

Red Room (Infants)

Denise Cortez – Lead Teacher
E-mail: littlecolonelsacademy@nicholls.edu

Michelle Foret – Para
E-mail: littlecolonelsacademy@nicholls.edu

Orange Room (Ones)

Jamie Eagan – Lead Teacher
E-mail: littlecolonelsacademy@nicholls.edu

Romana Small – Para
E-mail: littlecolonelsacademy@nicholls.edu

Yellow Room (Twos)

Christie Batiste – Lead Teacher
E-mail: littlecolonelsacademy@nicholls.edu

Emily McFarland – Para
E-mail: littlecolonelsacademy@nicholls.edu

Green Room (Pre-K 3)

Modesty Hampton – Lead Teacher
E-mail: littlecolonelsacademy@nicholls.edu

Emily Prejean – Para
E-mail: littlecolonelsacademy@nicholls.edu

Blue Room (Pre-K 4)

Jennifer Gaubert – Lead Teacher
E-mail: littlecolonelsacademy@nicholls.edu

Alyssa Ledet – Para
Email: littlecolonelsacademy@nicholls.edu

Little Colonels Academy Online Application

CONTACT INFORMATION

Little Colonels Academy

Office Location:
LCA (FACS building)
304 Ardoyne Drive

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2014
Thibodaux, LA 70310

Phone: 985-449-7104
Fax: 985-449-7073
Office Hours: 7:00am – 5:00pm

LOCATION

The owner of this website has made a committment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.