EARLY CHILDHOOD

Peace's early childhood programs start full-speed ahead each fall. September, especially when it has lowering temperatures, always reminds me of my own childhood growing up in central New Jersey. There was no bus route for me back in 1962 when I began kindergarten. So I walked the one mile to school myself. I remember carrying a small, red, plaid, attache'-type case that I placed my prized artwork in each afternoon to take home. I remember receiving one whole graham cracker with cold milk for a snack every single day in kindergarten. I remember wearing my various fall jackets to school and feeling autumn on my face as I tried to make cloudy air-puffs with my warm breath. I always loved September. I should have known then that I would become a teacher, but I didn't. That wouldn't occur to me until I was 19 years old when my pastor said, "Deb, you should become a Lutheran teacher." I took his words to heart and moved to New York in 1977. That was also in September.

My goal here at Peace is to make your child's September moments precious and memorable, bathed in the love and teachings of Jesus and His Word.

Below is a listing of the various early childhood ministries that Peace Lutheran School provides. I hope you enjoy them as much as I love them.

THREE AND FOUR-YEAR-OLD PRESCHOOL CLASSES: These traditional preschool classes begin after Labor Day each September. Our three-year-old class is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our four-year-old classes are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Both classes have a morning session beginning at 8:10 a.m. and ending at 11:10 a.m. and an afternoon sesson beginning at 12:10 p.m. and ending at 3:10 p.m. We offer one lead teacher and an aide for every session held in our preschool classes. Stop by and visit any time!

PRESCHOOL-AGE CHILDCARE: This ministry for the working families and their children runs all year long. Like our preschool classroom, it is licensed by the State of Michigan. It offers full-day preschool and childcare for working parents. We open this classroom at 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and close at 6:00 p.m. We offer a hot lunch program from September through June, but we are open all summer long to accommodate our two-parent working families. Come and see what we have to offer you and your children!

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE (LATCHKEY): This program begins the first day of school each August and runs through the last day of school in June. We are open in the morning from 7:00 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. when the children are then dismissed to their classrooms. We re-open at 3:10 p.m., when school lets out, and remain open until 6:00 p.m. This program is open Monday through Friday.

SUMMER CARE: This program begins at the beginning of June and runs through the end of August every summer. This group of children is made up of many of our Latchkey families who are in need of childcare for their school-aged children in the summer. We are open all summer long from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

These are the current early childhood programs that Peace Lutheran School offers to not only our church and school families, but also to our local surrounding community neighbors. During this busy season of back to school shopping, curriculum choices, classroom seating charts, and bus schedules, I just have to stop and remind myself of who is in control. It certainly isn't me or my staff. It is our Heavenly Father who loves each and every one of us and wants the very best for His children. We at Peace want the same.

Stop by for a visit and let me walk you through our classrooms. Let me show you just what God has done for us, and what is waiting for you, here at Peace Lutheran School.

In Jesus' Love,

Deborah Hauser
Early Childhood Director
Peace Lutheran Church and School