Questions and Answers about St. Paul's Early Childhood Programs.

Why are there three early childhood programs at St. Paul's?

Each program has been designed to meet a particular niche in the early childhood community.  Although developed separately, with unique missions, the four programs share indoor and outdoor large motor play space, food service, supplies and materials, program policies, staff training and development and parent education meetings.  The programs work collaboratively to provide high quality care and education with choices for parents.  The early childhood directors meet twice monthly and work together closely to share resources and expertise.

What is special about each program?

St. Paul's Preschool
A tuition-based part-day program for children ages 2-5.  Teachers provide a quality theme and literature-based curriculum emphasizing social development and learning through play.  Classes are separated by age, with children attending one, two or three days per week.  A Christian-based classroom is an option.  A Head Start component integrates qualified children into classrooms.  Scholarships are available for St. Paul's Preschool.  An extended day option includes programming until 1:30 p.m. Parents serve as "helpers" in the classroom.  Enrollment begins the first week of February and quickly fills!  Director: Trisha Smith

St. Paul's Parents Day Out
Created to support parents choosing to stay at home with their children, this program provides care from 9:30 until 1:30 p.m. Children are grouped by age and participate in group story hour in St. Paul's library.  Children bring their lunch and participate in theme-based activities including field trips and guest speakers.  Parents Day Out is open Monday through Thursday and is tuition-based, with scholarships available.  Enrollment is limited to no more than three days per week.  Enrollment begins the first week of February and fills quickly!  Director: Sandy McGee

St. Paul's FOCUS
St. Paul's FOCUS began in 1989 to meet the needs of children "at Risk".  It is funded primarily through a grant from the State of Iowa Department of Education.  Two half-day and one full day classrooms provide intensive programming for qualified children and parents.  Special needs children are included in each of the classrooms through a partnership with the Cedar Rapids Schools.  Grant Wood Area Education Agency provides extensive support for meeting the needs of the FOCUS children and families.  A birth-to-three component includes home visits, parent counseling and education for younger siblings of the FOCUS preschoolers.  Enrollment is on-going.  Directors: Cynde Clymer and Chris Evan-Schwartz

How does St. Paul's support the Early Childhood Programs?

Although each program pays St. Paul's a "building use fee", the church supports the programs in many ways.  Sunday School classes, covenant groups and individuals contribute financially to special needs and scholarships.  United Methodist Women has been an active supporter, providing substantial funding for special projects such as the remodeling of the small kitchen and Big Room carpeting.  Esther Circle recently donated a train set to be shared by the classrooms.  Prayer support comes from individuals and groups.  Instruments in the Music Department have been used by the early childhood programs.

What are the Early Childhood Weekday Program / St. Paul's connections ?

An Early Childhood Board governs the three programs.  This board is composed of representatives from the Board of Trustees, staff (Bob Burkhart and Judy Eilders), Sending to Serve, United Methodist Women and directors of each of the programs.  Parents, community and church members serve on the board and help design, direct and evaluate the programs.  St. Paul's maintenance department works closely with each of the directors to maintain the facility.  The Childhood Board chairperson, currently Noreda Dobbin, serves on St. Paul's Church Council.  A director of FOCUS serves on "Sending to Serve".  Ann Buroker and Deanna Weber work with the early childhood directors and teachers to provide story hour times and library check-out for children in each of the programs.  Weekday programs use the church van for field trips.  St. Paul's early childhood directors attend St. Paul's staff meetings and retreats whenever possible and support United Methodist women through attendance and service.

What are the current needs of the programs?

• A new van! Anyone who uses it knows that "Big Blue" is aging and in need of replacement.  Field trips are a vital part of any quality early childhood program and a working van assures that safe travel is possible for classroom groups.

• Volunteers! Young children thrive on relationships with adults.  Volunteers provide special people who care and can bring messages of love and joy to children and staff!

• Additional classroom bathrooms.  Variety Club, United Methodist Women and St. Paul's helped fund two additional bathrooms in 2000.  We still are in need of several others to provide for the safety and adequate supervision of young children, particularly those being toilet trained!

• Funds for fresh fruit and vegetables.  Our food service works on a limited budget and could use additional funding to provide nutritious snacks and healthful foods for our young children.  Commodities received through the HACAP reservoir and community donations seldom include fresh fruits or vegetables.

• Storage space!  A varied, quality curriculum requires interesting, educational toys and materials to be rotated through classrooms.  Teachers need closed storage space to eliminate visual clutter rooms which are all shared by St. Paul's Saturday/Sunday School programs.

• Prayers!  Our evolving early childhood programs are ministries of St. Paul's, caring for God's children and families in unique ways.  We need your prayer support to remain faithful to our call to serve our neighbors, the growing children of God!