New school coming to Wellen Park offers early learning for infants to kindergarteners

VENICE, Fla. (May 8, 2024) – Parents in Wellen Park and neighboring communities will soon have another childcare option for their preschool-aged children. Primrose Schools, which provides early learning for infants through kindergarteners, is building its first Venice-area school on Market Way in Downtown Wellen, near the Wellen Park Welcome Center. The center will also offer before- and after-school care and a full-day summer learning program for K-5 students. Construction begins later this year. The school is anticipated to open in early 2025.

“We’re pleased to expand childcare and early education options for the growing number of parents with young children in Wellen Park and the greater community,” said Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park. “Additionally, this new school will add more childcare and education job opportunities within our area, increasing the local workforce and providing additional economic benefits.”

The 13,500-square-foot Primrose School at Wellen Park will feature 12 classrooms and accommodate up to 204 children. It will also have gardening and nature activities outside in the Primrose Patch garden. Katherine Cunningham, a 20-year veteran in early childcare, will manage daily operations, staffing and human resources.

“When you think of what makes a community thrive, it’s the complete experience – attractive housing options, stable job opportunities, exciting retailers and restaurants, as well as top-notch schools and childcare,” said Nick Koros, chief development officer, Primrose Schools. “Wellen Park is a vibrant and growing master-planned community. Primrose School at Wellen Park serves as an anchor business and critical on-site community to provide a vital need for local residents.”

A national system of accredited private schools, Primrose Schools offers a research-based Balanced Learning® curriculum that is designed to instill an early love of learning beginning in infancy. The program blends purposeful play and encourages curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion.

Each school is independently owned and operated by franchise owners. Founded in 1982, there are over 500 Primrose schools in 34 states, including 31 locations in Florida.

Primrose School at Wellen Park is located at 19760 Market Way. For more information about enrollment or job opportunities, call 941-340-4450 or email [email protected].

New schools throughout Wellen Park cater to the educational needs of area students. College Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free K-8 charter school, welcomed its first students in 2023. Prodigy Early Learning, a preschool for 200 children, expects to open this fall. Sarasota County Schools is building a new high school and K-8 school in Wellen Park. Children in Wellen Park are also eligible to attend Sarasota Schools’ A-rated Taylor Ranch Elementary, Venice Middle and Venice High schools, and the full-time dual enrollment program at State College of Florida Collegiate High School.

About Primrose Schools®

Primrose Schools is the leader in providing premier early education and care to children and families in the United States. Founded in 1982, there are more than 500 Primrose schools in 34 states today. Each school is independently owned and operated by Franchise Owners who partner with parents to help children build the right foundation for future learning and life. Primrose believes who children become is as important as what they know. The exclusive Primrose Balanced Learning^® approach is created from the best early education wisdom and balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion. For more information, visit www.PrimroseSchools.com, connect with us on Facebook and X, explore our blog, sign up for our emails and find a Primrose school near you.

 About Wellen Park

Ranked among the U.S.’s top 10 selling master-planned communities in 2023 by prominent real estate consulting firms RCLCO and John Burns, Wellen Park offers a mix of single-family and multifamily residential, commercial and recreational options. The community currently has approximately 9,500 residents, and at full buildout will have more than 50,000 residents and 22,500 homes within its three distinct districts: West Villages, Downtown Wellen and Playmore.

Wellen Park’s expanding residential choices include new-construction single-family homes in picturesque neighborhoods, a dynamic new lifestyle concept for active adults 55+, paired and attached villas, coach homes and condominiums for a low-maintenance lifestyle.

Rental options in Wellen Park range from one- to three-bedroom luxury apartments and single-family homes to an apartment community for adults 55 and older, and world-class independent, assisted living and memory care.

Wellen Park is close to top-ranked Gulf of Mexico beaches and the area’s many attractions, including the fully opened Downtown Wellen offering outdoor recreation, restaurants and retail.

To learn more about living at Wellen Park, call 941-960-7805, go to wellenpark.com or visit the Welcome Center at 12275 Mercado Drive in Venice, Fla. The Welcome Center is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.