Sonya Hill has a passion for teaching and after retiring from nursing last year, the Midwest City resident got the opportunity to fill a long-term dream of opening her own learning academy.

The Children’s Garden Learning Academy, located at 9909 E. Reno Avenue, opened for business Dec. 13. The facility provides child care for ages 3 years and 12 years. It is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"I have always loved teaching," Hill said. "I have always had the dream of having a different kind of academy for children. This is my heart’s desire and we are just beginning."

Hill said her business objective is to provide services and outreach to Midwest City neighborhoods, as well as the Choctaw-Nicoma Park and Oklahoma City metro-area.

The goals at The Children’s Garden Learning Academy are:

To help meet the needs of working and non-working parents who desire to expose their children to quality educational and social experiences.

To provide child care at a reasonable cost, so that parents who must work have a premier place for the growth and enrichment of their children.

To provide a safe, nurturing place for young children to blossom.

Hill retired as a registered nurse in Midwest City in March 2013. She received her master’s in education from Oklahoma Baptist University and taught at Francis Tuttle Technology Center.

Hill said she was looking for locations to house her academy when she saw her current facility was up for lease.

"The sign went up on a Thursday and I called on Monday and looked at the building then," she said. "I signed my lease that following Wednesday."

The Children’s Garden Learning Academy has five staff members including three master teachers, a nutritionist and teaching assistants. All staff members are first aid and CPR certified.

Hill said she has promoted her new academy which features Christian-based curriculum through social media, friends, family and church.

"We have had very good response from the community," Hill said. "The energy is crazy. I get calls every day from parents who were looking for a new type of pre-school and something different."

Hill said students in her academy participate in a number of hands-on learning experiences each day including learning how to bake.

This spring, the academy will start its horticulture program where students will be able to learn and participate in greenhouses and gardens.

"In my mind there aren’t any barriers to what kids can learn," Hill said.

Hill is pleased with how the academy has come together.

"I knew this was my purpose and my passion," she said. "This is something that I had to do. There were some days I was wondering what I was doing and was this going to pan out. But with the support of my family, my church and my friends, it has all come together."

For more information, call (405) 615-2281 or visit www.thechildrensgardenok.com.