Owner/President Flo Elder Wilkes, owner of both Oconee Preschool Academy locations, had a life long vision of child development ownership. From a very young age, she loved and adored all age children, especially babies. Ms. Wilkes is a life long native of Watkinsville coming from the Elder family who was one of the first families to settle in Watkinsville. Flo graduated Oconee Co. High School in 1974 and attended Georgia College in Milledgeville for three years with an Early Childhood Education major. Ms. Wilkes began caring for children in her home in 1990 when her second child was one year of age and her first son was eleven. She received a state license for a group day care one year later. After five years of continuous waiting lists of children desiring her services, she planned, developed, and financed Oconee Preschool Academy from the ground up. In 1995 she built Oconee Preschool on Mars Hill Road in Watkinsville. Her goal from the start was to provide the highest quality child care at an affordable price. Within two months of opening, OPA was at capacity of children. OPA I has 9 classrooms, 3 age appropriate playgrounds and in-ground swimming pool. In 2007, OPA I went through a complete interior remodel. Also in 2007, Ms. Wilkes built a second location on Greensboro Highway in Watkinsville at a cost of over two million dollars. OPA II is state-of-the-art with 10 classrooms, three age appropriate playgrounds and in-ground swimming pool. Ms. Wilkes is a very involved owner making daily decisions with her Directors to ensure OPA continues providing parents and children the highest quality child care. |
OPA I Director Nikki H. Wright is Oconee Preschool Academy, I Director. She has been Director since 2001 and Assistant Director under Ms. Wilkes two years prior. Nikki began her career at OPA in 1998 when her first two children were young. In 2007 her second daughter and third child was born. Her first position at OPA was as a Two Year Classroom teacher and later moved to the Four Year Class as Lead Teacher before entering an administrative position. Ms. Wilkes says Nikki is an invaluable employee who goes over and beyond her job duties to meet the challenging needs of OPA children, parents, and staff. She is very well respected by all. She is continuously dedicated as Director and shares the vision with Ms. Wilkes that Oconee Preschool exist only to provide children the highest quality child care. |
 | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Oconee Preschool Academy, Inc., I 1890 Mars Hill Road Watkinsville, GA 30677 (706) 769-KIDS (5437) |
oconeepreschool.com
| Oconee Preschool Academy, Inc., II 1420 Greensboro Highway Watkinsville, GA 30677 (706) 769-CARE (2273) |
| History |