Primrose Schools, a nationwide chain of private preschools, recently opened a new location in Helena, Primrose School of Riverwoods.

Franchise owner Kimberly Wilson said she brought Primrose Schools to Helena to serve as an educational opportunity for young families.

“There are over 200 Primrose Schools nationwide. It started in Georgia 22 years ago,” she said. “When Helena started growing, they thought this was a good place to be, and we were interested. It’s perfect because there are young families here with lots and lots of children.”

There is only one other Primrose School in the Birmingham area, in Meadowbrook, so Wilson knew she had a golden opportunity.

“We’ve had a sign up for the longest time, and we got so many calls,” she said. “The parents out there are so excited because it is an education. It’s not just a day care.”

The school serves children ages 6 weeks to pre-kindergarten. Teachers receive lesson plans from the corporate office, which means all Primrose Schools across the country are synchronized.

“If a child from here moved to Texas, they could walk in the door and be doing the exact same thing they’d be doing here,” Wilson said.

She said nationally, Primrose School students place in the 90th percentile or higher when taking entrance tests for public schools. The schools are accredited by three educational associations.

The school also offers before-school and after-school care for children ages 5-12. A bus is available to drop children off at local schools and pick them up after the school day is done.

Wilson said one thing setting the school apart from other facilities is its separate, age-appropriate playgrounds. The school has a playground for toddlers, another for pre-kindergarten students and another for older children.

Wilson said her goal is to help the students have a good educational background for going through the next 12 years, while helping families provide safety for their children.

“It’s to give back to the community and help these kids to be good citizens and have good values,” she said. “We offer a good, safe place for parents to leave their kids when they have to work.

Tuition costs are different depending on children’s ages and if the child will need everyday care. Starting in the next school year, Primrose School of Riverwoods will also offer a private kindergarten.

The school is located at 501 Riverwoods Court off of County Road 52. For more information, call the school at 422-5905.