From preschool to high school grads, EmBe education alums praise their foundation for the future.

This paid piece is sponsored by EmBe.

One is a little girl just a few months from starting kindergarten, and the other is a young woman a few months from starting college.

But they both share a common alum bond: Graduates of preschool programs at EmBe.

For the Sexe family, EmBe’s Downtown location became the best fit several years ago for balancing work – both parents had offices downtown – and home, as they lived in McKennan Park.

“It was a great location, and we felt like EmBe had a lot more offerings than other centers we checked out,” mom Jessica Sexe said.

“Especially with the Spanish Immersion program, on-site swim lessons and field trips are offered. We love that EmBe is a nonprofit and all they do for the community, so it was an easy choice for us.”

They enrolled three-month-old Natalie, who just graduated from the Spanish Immersion preschool program and is now a future kindergartner headed to the fully immersive Spanish program at Sonia Sotomayor Elementary School.

“We had read some studies about how Spanish is good for childhood development and were interested in enrolling our kids. We thought it would give them a good head start if they started with Spanish immersion in preschool, and we have definitely seen benefits from it,” Sexe said. “It’s been really fun to watch their cultural horizons expand, and now they love anything with Latin culture and have integrated Spanish seamlessly into their vocabulary.”

Younger sister Lydia is a year behind Natalie and in the same classroom at EmBe for now. Both girls have also been able to add swim and soccer lessons while attending preschool.

“Lessons are offered during the day, so we don’t have to take time after work or childcare to take them. It’s been nice to get all the extracurricular programs accomplished during the day and they’ve really liked it,” Sexe said.

Rewind about 18 years and mom Jill Wurth also made the choice to enroll her daughter, Lindsay, at EmBe. She and her husband, Jacob, chose EmBe South because it was close to their home.

“We had just moved here from the Twin Cities, and I was going to telecommute,” she said.

“We toured EmBe and I really liked it. Lindsay moved through three rooms there and our experience was consistently strong, and then in her five-year-old room she really connected with her teacher. He and Lindsay were super tight and it was just really good for my mom heart to know she was really being taken care of and being ‘seen’ by someone and I know that started at EmBe.”

Now, Lindsay is a new grad again—this time, from Harrisburg High School. In the fall, she’ll be a freshman at the University of Notre Dame, majoring in business analytics with an eye toward working in sports analytics.

Looking back, she, too, remembers first learning Spanish at EmBe – even though it would be years before the immersive preschool program started.

“I remember learning colors in Spanish,” she said. “And then I definitely always felt like I was able to acheive more in my class because I had a good foundation and just kept learning. I had every subject in my skill set, and I was able to hit the ground running.”

The Wurth family has stayed connected to EmBe in multiple ways. Jacob Wurth serves on the finance committee and now has a front-row seat to how EmBe is excelling in childcare.

“EmBe is setting themselves apart because it’s not just daycare. It’s truly early childhood education, and there’s a curriculum that goes with it. You’re not dropping kids off and picking them up. It’s a different level of training and education and child development.”

While striking a balance between accessibility and highest-quality care isn’t easy, Wurth points to team members like Andy, the teacher his daughter originally bonded with years ago – who is still working at EmBe.

“The better your program, the better reputation you have and the better retention you have,” he said.

Despite the nearly two decades between their experience, both families point to a culture at EmBe that has endured.

“We just always felt our daughter was very safe and that she had her own identity,” Jill Wurth said. “She was definitely ready for kindergarten. They had a great blend of learning and playing; her motor skills were very strong, and it just seemed like a seamless transition from childcare into kindergarten.”

Now, as the Sexe family prepares to begin elementary school with Natalie, they have the same confidence.

“She’s had great teachers the whole time and I think she’ll do well,” Sexe said. “I think it’s worth it for parent to try any EmBe program out. They’re great about moving kids around if it’s not the right fit and the teachers are very good about answering messages and responding to any concerns. It feels like a mini-community, and I think that’s what we’ve enjoyed the most.”

To learn more

At EmBe, the organization commits to ensuring that all children gain a strong foundation in physical, academic, and emotional intelligence. Families experience a sense of community and support, knowing their child is in a nurturing and enriching environment.

Graduates of EmBe Education programs will carry with them a love for learning, strong interpersonal skills, and a foundation for success in future educational endeavors. Parents will witness the positive impact that EmBe Education has had on their child’s confidence, curiosity, and ability to navigate the complexities of the world.

To learn more about EmBe Education, click here.

And for a complete guide to preschool options, click below.

The years before kindergarten: Your guide to finding the right preschool fit for your family