About
THE CENTER
The Giving Tree Academy, Inc was founded on March 2, 2020, when Sheila Orick purchased the existing Eagle Bluff Childcare Center. The center currently accepts children ages 12 months to 12 years and is licensed for 99 children. Each day, caring and attentive teachers provide your child countless opportunities to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically, in a safe and loving environment.
TEACHERS
Our teachers are trained in Early Childhood Education and Development. We have ongoing professional development training that meets strict local and state licensing regulations. Right after being hired, new staff members are enrolled in TECTA (Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance) a 30-hour orientation designed to meet the training needs for Infant/Toddler programs, Center-Based programs, School-age programs, Administrators, and Family Child Care programs. Upon completion of the TECTA orientation, teachers have
the opportunity to work towards a CDA (Child Development Associate) credential. Staff members are required to pass a detailed background check. Teachers will be trained in CPR and First Aid.
MEET THE STAFF
Sheila Orick: Owner/Director
Sheila, along with her husband Tim Orick, grew up in Lafollette, TN. Sheila has three sisters and three brothers. Sheila and Tim have six children and six grandchildren. They have had several family members stay with them through the years. Family is an important part of Sheila's life.
Sheila has always wanted to teach young children or own a childcare center. She has worked as a Home Visitor, a floater in a childcare center, and a director in a childcare center, and has ran a family childcare center.
Sheila opened The Giving Tree in March 2020.
Sheila has an Associates in Applied Science in Child Development – Special Needs, an Associates in Science – General, a Diploma in Accounting Assistant, and a Tennessee Early Childhood Program Administrator Credential. She has attended numerous trainings on different topics of Early Childhood Development. Education, training, and hands-on experience are what help develop a great Teacher.
Sheila believes children learn thru play. The Giving Tree uses a theme-based curriculum. This theme-based learning allows children to make meaningful connections, enables children to see that there are many ways to learn about a subject, nurtures children’s focus, gives them direction, and supports them in making connections between subjects.
