The members of Christ Lutheran Church operate Helping Hands Child Care as a mission to the community. The church members elect a Childcare Board to meet with the director each month. The day-to-day operation of the childcare is in the hands of the director and the staff. Gail Schulenburg, who has been the Director of Helping Hands for over nine years, has a degree in elementary education from the University of Minnesota. Tina Austin, the Assistant Director, has worked at the childcare center for over ll years. Eight other childcare providers work at the center.
A main emphasis at the childcare is the spiritual growth of each child. A "Jesus time" is held each morning where the children listen to a Bible story. A prayer of thanksgiving is said before all meals and snacks. Christian songs and art activities are common.
Another emphasis is the educational growth of each child. The center is run much like a preschool with many planned learning activities. The children have a calendar/weather activity, a job board, a story time, and an art project every morning.
Breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack are provided at the childcare center. All food is prepared at the center. The director and staff are proud of the nutritious and wholesome food that they provide to the children, and a monthly menu of meals and snacks is provided to the parents.
A before- and after-school program, a non-school day service, as well as a summertime program, is run for school-age children. Many activities are planned for the school-age children. Library trips, swimmingat Central Park, art projects, and Wheels Days are just some of the summer activities. Helping Hands also has access to the Christ Lutheran gym on non-school days.
A staff member walks children back and forth from Christ Lutheran School for preschool and school. No other transportation is provided, but head Start and the Early Childhood Center will drop children off at the center.
The center is open to all children of the community and accepts payment from the Department of Social Services.
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