What’s a little non-profit pre-school based on “learn and play” to do when it needs a new, $25,000 playground? Plan a fun, family-centered fundraiser, of course, thanks in large part to the efforts of teacher Dawn Longley.

On Sunday, March 12, Dawn leads the Learn & Play Christian Early Learning Center team as the school doors swing open at 3 p.m. for the public to enjoy a “Playground Extravaganza” fundraising event. Tickets are $10 ($5 for children aged 5 and under). The family friendly afternoon features a DJ spinning danceable music for waddlers and toddlers, a ticketed photo booth, a roomful of silent auction items (baskets, gift certificates, and more), a delicious pasta dinner (ziti and meatballs donated by Anthony’s Ocean View), and a teacher-fueled “Dessert Wars” contest, for which the school’s staff of 16 will provide bite-sized desserts for guests to sample. Then they vote. The war is serious—there’s a Golden Spatula on the line, going to the best baker in the building, says Dawn.

The non-denominational pre-school and its playground are located on the grounds of the United Methodist Church in Branford, right about where three town lines meet at 811 East Main Street. Learn & Play’s pre-school has a long history serving children of local families from Branford, North Branford, and Guilford (and beyond) for more than 30 years. About seven years ago, faith-based learning was added as an outreach ministry of the church. The connection also allows the pre-school to accept donations as a 501-c3 non-profit.

While some grant programs exist to help schools fund public school K- 12 playgrounds, “We’re not eligible for a lot of the grant programs out there, because we are a pre-school and non-profit, which means we have to roll up our sleeves and count on the community that much more,” says Dawn, who joined Learn & Play staff in March 2016.

While the pre-school has one small playground for its group of about 50 children, it’s the main playground that needs to be replaced. Play is an important part of the Learn & Play philosophy.

“Children learn through play,” Dawn says. “That sensory outlet, to climb and to swing, makes such a difference in their ability to then absorb other information and academics. Test after test, study after study, shows it’s playing that’s most important in these formative years, and moving their body and kinesthetically learning. Getting outside and having the equipment to play on is really going to help them academically and socially the rest of their lives. It impacts all levels of the child.”

The pre-school is aiming to install a new playground by summer, with plans for elements including a climbing wall, balance beams, and monkey bars—all with an eye toward multisensory learning.

“With something like the monkey bars, they’re exercising their core, which then gives them a better ability to sit while they’re learning,” says Dawn. “It’s all connected. Play is its own learning, then it also enhances and affects their education and academics.”

A Branford resident who grew up in East Haven, Dawn says coming to teach at Learn & Play has given her the perfect career option.

“I’m a director of Christian education by trade, and was working at a local church and just subbing at some schools when a friend at church connected me here, and I just found my home,” says Dawn. “I love it here.”

Dawn teaches the schools “waddlers” (14 to 24 months) while there are other classes and groups for infants, toddlers, and children ages 3 and 4. The tuition-based pre-school also offers some scholarships and participates in the state-funded Care for Kids program. There is a rolling enrollment with just a few openings available at this time, said Director Robin Costa.

Dawn says the pre-school is so popular with families simply because, “It’s a wonderful program. Robin is so supportive of all of us, and as a staff we are all so wonderful together, and I think it does show in the quality of the program. I’ve been in places where children are well educated and places where children are well loved, and I think I’ve found a perfect combination of that here.”

It’s one of the reasons why the school is excited to be offering the March 12 “Playground Extravaganza” to the greater community, adds Costa.

“They know us as the school at the church with the signs out front,” says Costa. “This is a good time for families from the greater community to come out and enjoy.”

“We decided as a committee where we felt we could put our efforts, and this is our first big effort,” Dawn adds. “It’s already building up to beyond what we thought we could ever do. The businesses have been so generous and the staff and families, too. So many have been donating to make this a great event—the Silent Auction baskets alone are just amazing. Everyone is working hard. So we want to draw a crowd, because it’s going to be a great day.”

The Playground Extravangaza at Learn & Play Christian Early Learning Center, 811 East Main Street, takes place on Sunday, March 12, beginning at 3 p.m. To purchase tickets (adults $10, children five and under $5) call 203-488-4028 or email learnandplay@snet.net. Tax-deductible donations to assist the playground fund are also welcome. Visit Learn & Play Christian Early Learning Center on Facebook to learn more.