Our Mission
At Einstein's Learning Center (ELC) and Tenny Steinys (TS), our mission is to provide a nurturing and enriching environment for children, catering to the unique needs of families in the Livingston community. We are dedicated to creating a seamless childcare experience that supports each child’s development and prepares them for lifelong learning.
Who We Are
In 2024, Melissa Whithorn took ownership of Einstein's Learning Center, while Zen Yarnell purchased Tenny Steinys in 2021. Together, we strive to build a collaborative educational space that meets the diverse needs of our community’s children.
Tenny Steinys
Tenny Steinys specializes in caring for children ages 3 months to 2.5 years. Our focus is on fostering social engagement and emotional regulation among our youngest learners. Through nurturing interactions and developmental activities, we help children build a strong foundation for future learning.
Einstein's Learning Center
Einstein's Learning Center serves children ages 2 to 5 years old and offers Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten programs. Our curriculum is fully accredited and aligns with local elementary schools and Early Intervention Specialists. Our Pre-K program is meticulously designed to ensure that each student acquires the necessary tools and skills to confidently enter and succeed in Kindergarten.
What We Do
We implement the Teaching Strategies and Pyramid Model to create a supportive and engaging learning atmosphere. Our comprehensive curriculum covers essential subjects, ensuring holistic development:
Each month, we assess our children using the Developmental Checkpoints Assessment (DCA) and the Learning Assessment Profile (LAP) to monitor progress and tailor our instruction to meet individual needs.
Pre-K Program
Our Pre-K program is designed to ensure that your child is 100% ready for kindergarten. Through a blend of structured lessons and hands-on activities, we equip children with the skills and confidence needed for their next educational adventure.
Our Values
Our courses are thoughtfully designed to be accessible to all families. They feature affordable tuition and flexible schedules that fit your needs. We provide home-cooked breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily, all meeting state nutritional requirements to support healthy development.
We recognize that you are the expert on your child, and we are here to partner with you in reinforcing your parenting goals. Together, we can foster an environment that nurtures your child's growth and well-being.
We are also proud to be an active member of our community's Early Education Coalition and Zeroto Five working collaboratively to enhance early education opportunities for all children.
Our daughter loves Einstein’s! We’ve been very grateful for the educational preparation, and she is always excited to show us what she did that day. The staff is knowledgeable, caring, and helpful. We appreciate the affordability and commitment to enriching children’s education and social development.
We absolutely love Einstein's Learning Center! Our 3-year-old has blossomed, learning so much and growing in confidence every day with the staff's love and support. The nurturing environment and engaging activities have made such a positive impact on his development.
We love Melissa and the Einstein team! The place is immaculately clean, bright, safe, and 100% child-focused. Melissa meets each child where they are developmentally and focuses individually to help them thrive. Our little one is growing by leaps and bounds and absolutely loves Ms. Melissa!
Melissa and her Einstein’s Learning Center staff will forever hold a special place in our hearts!! Their love and compassion is second to none! The curriculum and improvements Melissa has implemented at her facility have truly been amazing! It’s the type of environment needed to foster young minds to learn the best they can! She is extremely dedicated to the futures of every child attending her program! We couldn’t thank her and her staff enough!! Highly recommend! ❤️❤️
When searching for the best place for their young children to learn and grow, many parents come across two common terms: daycare and early education center. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they actually refer to two different types of childcare environments with distinct purposes. Choosing an early education center over a daycare can provide your child with a stronger foundation for future academic and personal success.
A daycare is primarily a facility designed to provide care for children while their parents or guardians are at work or attending to other responsibilities. While daycares focus on safety and basic social interaction, they often lack the structured curriculum necessary for comprehensive early learning. Some may incorporate educational elements, but the primary goal is supervision and basic care rather than intentional early childhood education.
An early education center, on the other hand, is designed to provide children with a structured, curriculum-based learning experience that prepares them for kindergarten and beyond. These centers focus on child development, cognitive growth, and foundational academic skills, ensuring children are ready for future learning environments.
Early education centers follow research-based curriculums that include subjects such as literacy, math, science, and social-emotional learning. Teachers in these settings are usually required to have formal training in early childhood education, ensuring that children receive developmentally appropriate instruction tailored to their needs.
One of the major benefits of an early education center is the opportunity for early screening and intervention for developmental delays. Trained educators can recognize early signs of speech delays, sensory processing issues, social-emotional challenges, and other learning difficulties. Identifying these needs early allows for timely interventions that can significantly improve a child’s long-term outcomes.
If you want your child to thrive in a structured, enriching, and developmentally supportive environment, an early education center is the clear choice over a traditional daycare. Early education centers prioritize learning, developmental screenings, and structured play, all of which contribute to a child's overall growth and preparedness for future schooling.
While both daycares and early education centers serve important roles in childcare, the advantages of an early education center are clear. These centers provide not only a safe and nurturing environment but also a structured, research-backed approach to early learning that sets children up for lifelong success.
If you're currently exploring early education options, take the time to visit different facilities, ask about their curriculum, teacher qualifications, and early screening programs. Investing in a high-quality early education program can make a world of difference in your child’s educational journey and long-term success.
Zen Yarnell has Owned Tenny Steinys for over four years and has a natural ability to connect with children. As a Livingston native, she understands the complications of growing up in our isolated West paradise and works closely with families to help ensure they are able to connect with all community resources available to assist in their child's infant years.
Melissa purchased Einstein's in April 2024 and has worked hard to revise the school to be Livingston's number 1 Childcare center. Melissa wants to see every child walk into Kindergarten with the skills to succeed. With a degree in Early Education and Nutrition and 15 years of experience in educating children, Melissa works closely with
Melissa purchased Einstein's in April 2024 and has worked hard to revise the school to be Livingston's number 1 Childcare center. Melissa wants to see every child walk into Kindergarten with the skills to succeed. With a degree in Early Education and Nutrition and 15 years of experience in educating children, Melissa works closely with Early Interventalist Specialists to ensure that every child can receive a free screening for any signs of developmental delays.
Einsteins Learning Center and Teeny Steinys
326 South Main Street, Livingston, Montana 59047, United States
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