Day Care Ministry

Please contact Deb Alfeld, Director, with any questions or for current application information.   260-426-7425   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  We encourage an interview, observation of the classes, and tour of the facility before any enrollment.

Hours of Operation and Fees

6:30 a.m. -  5:30 p.m.     Monday thru Friday

Full-time $130.00 per week.  3 day, 4 day, and half-day tuition costs can be obtained from the director.  There is a one-time enrollment fee of $40.00 per family

About the Ministry

First Presbyterian has had a preschool program since 1951.  It became a preschool/day care combination in 1991 after a survey showed the need for a downtown day care facility open to everyone.

Children need to feel good about themselves. Positive guidance techniques are used by the staff to enhance self-worth.  The daily schedule includes breakfast, morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack.  The day includes large and small group interaction, listen and share, and self-selected indoor and outdoor activities.   A chapel service takes place on Tuesdays and a music class on Thursdays.  There is a swim class at the YMCA for the Pre-K class.

Field trips may include a picnic in the park, a trip to the zoo, Science Central, or the McMillen Health Center.  In the fall there is a trip to an apple orchard or farm. 

The staff as caregivers and teachers of young children are required to have a degree in education or relevant day care or preschool experience.  Monthly curriculum schedules, weekly notes, and menus are sent out from the child's teacher.  Any parent may request a conference at any time.

Staff

• Director: Debra Alfeld
• Teachers: Heidi Densel, Erin Cress, Yvonne Millhouse, Kiley Vitek, Shayla Williams, Celeste Johnson, Whitney Weber, Katherine Henderson
• Curriculum Advisor:  Amy Szwabowicz
• Meal Supervisor:  Beth Freistroffer

Mission Statement

First Presbyterian Day Care is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church.  The Day Care shows God’s love in action through caring adults in a physically and emotionally safe environment.  Children learn to relate to each other, their family, and their world.  The Day Care will instill lifelong learning skills in children by offering developmentally appropriate learning experiences affirming each child’s worth, and providing paternal support. The Day Care actively demonstrates the church’s commitment to children, education and the community.

Day Care Program Philosophy

The philosophy of First Presbyterian Preschool/Day Care program is based on a set of strongly held beliefs:

• We believe that each child is a unique individual.  We are sensitive to their social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs.  We provide developmentally appropriate programs that focus on the process of learning.  We encourage not just learning, but the love of learning.
• We believe in providing a physical environment that is safe, clean, healthy and designed for children.  Classrooms are arranged to offer challenging play and learning choices at a range of developmental levels.  Children are offered the opportunity to explore, to experience and most importantly -- to succeed.
• We believe the strength of our program lies in the dedication of our teaching staff and the support of First Presbyterian Church.  We support our teachers with training resources and the freedom to create a unique learning experience for children.  Our teachers create a caring and nurturing atmosphere while building the child’s self-confidence and self-esteem.
• We believe in positive discipline.  We establish consistent, age appropriate limits to help children function in their world.  Our program is designed to foster in children a sense of independence and responsibility.  It is our desire to strengthen each child’s own cultural identity, while instilling a respect for others who may be different.
• We believe parents are the most significant adults in a child’s life.  We strive to create a mutual respect between parents and teachers; a partnership for the benefit of the child.  We encourage daily communication between parents and staff.  Our doors are open to parents at all times.

Non-Discrimination Policy

First Presbyterian Day Care admits eligible students without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin or handicap and does not discriminate in the administration of its admission, educational, scholarship, or other school policies and programs. 

The Health and Safety of Your Child

• The health of your child is a matter of major importance to all of us.  Upon enrollment, you must file with us a health form, signed by a physician.  We also require that the child have certain immunizations and a tuberculin clearance.
• Your child may be sent home if he/she appears to have symptoms of illness during the school day.  In such cases, he/she is immediately isolated from the other children and a parent is contacted. Please keep your child home if he/she:
  • has a fever or has had one during the previous 24 hour period.
  • is taking an antibiotic or is contagious.
  • has a heavy nasal discharge.
  • has a persistent cough.
  • has symptoms of a possible communicable disease.
  • has diarrhea or is vomiting.
  • Please notify the school at once if your child does come down with a communicable disease.
• In case of accidental injury we will make an immediate attempt to contact a parent.  If we cannot reach you, we will call the child’s physician.  If necessary, we will also call an ambulance or the paramedics, the Director or Assistant will be in charge and make all decisions about the care of the child.  You will be expected to assume responsibility for any resultant expense not covered by our insurance.  The school will maintain a parents’ signed consent form agreeing to this provision.  It is your child’s benefit that you keep the school up-to-date on phone numbers, emergency numbers, and other pertinent information.