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Nursery Activities (Pat "Trish" Savage-Bailey, Nursery Coordinator)

Trish, Tell us about the Eastminster Nursery

The Nursery is open 15 minutes before and after the Saturday evening service and before and after the two Sunday morning services.  It’s staffed by loving paid care givers and volunteers that enjoy being with small children.  Opportunities to volunteer exist especially during Saturday evening.  All volunteers must submit to a background screening before being allowed to work with the children.  All children under the age of five are welcome.  At the present time the Nursery does not have any baby beds, only cribs.  If the need arises then accommodations will be made.  Speaking of need…usually we have between one and five children for any given service.  One Sunday I remember we had a record 15 children.

The Nursery can be made available during other activities at Eastminster but arrangements must be coordinated through Syd (Christian Education Director) ahead of time.

So how long have you been in the Nursery business Trish?

Well I guess you could say that begin with my first child over 30 years ago.  I have three children and four grandchildren now.  When I’m not at Eastminster I work locally as a private nanny for a small group of children. 

Any important points you would like to bring out about the Nursery?

Yes, be sure to pick up your children just after the services or special event.  As much as we do love them we don’t want the parents to forget and leave them at church.  Oh yes…it has happened.  Secondly, if you are having someone else (an older sibling or grandparent) pick up your child, then please sign the check out sheet and provide us with their name's).  We can’t release the children to anyone that is not on our list.

Thanks Trish oh, one last question…Where is the Nursery located?

The Nursery is located in the South end of the largest building on campus (the CMC, see campus map) just next to the outdoor playground area.  We encourage each parent that desires to attend one of the large meetings to bring their preschool age child by.  We would love to have them.

Preschool Activities (Nancy Fieldman, Preschool  Director)

Nancy, tell us about the Eastminster Preschool

The preschool ministry at Eastminster is going wonderfully well.  Our enrollment right now is at 92 children.  School is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., five days a week.  We operate on the same calendar as the Brevard School System calendar of providing grade level instruction for 175 days a calendar year.  The rate now (spring 2005) is $100 a month for the 2 day/week program, $145 a month for the 3 day/week program and $205 a month for the 5 day/week program.

How many teachers are on the staff?

We have two programs; a Pre-K program for age 3 before Aug 31 and a Toddler program of 18 months before Aug 31.  Teaching these groups we have 6 preschool teachers with 2 aides and 4 toddler teachers.  The teacher ratio for the Toddlers is about 1:5 and the ratio for the Pre-K is about 1:8 with aides circulating in the classroom.  Our teachers have AS, BS and in some cases MS degrees.  They all have to have a CDA, Child Development Accreditation.   We have about 56 Pre-K and about 40 Toddlers.  Along with the age distribution we offer a 2 day, 3 day or 5 day a week program for the children.  The Toddlers have a $5 dollar extra charge added onto that price. 

Don’t many of the children from the community attend as well as Eastminster children?

Oh yes.  Eastminster is a very popular preschool here in the beach community.  We are licensed by the State Department of Health to conduct a Preschool.  Many things go into this for example; having a minimum of 35 sq ft for each student, sanitizing each of the classrooms each night and providing a safe atmosphere for the children. 

What kind of safeguards are in place for the children?

Each of our teachers and aides undergo an Environmental Health screening, a complete background check, finger printing and submit to the Eastminster background check before they are allowed to work with the children.  The only exception to this is the Vacation Bible School week in which there are many volunteers working with the children, where no single child is left alone with a volunteer. 

Beside the fact that the Preschool is very popular in our area, what kind of things does Eastminster do with the children that make us different?

Very glad you asked that question because when we first started I did say that this is our “Eastminster Preschool Ministry.”  Each classroom has a picture of Jesus in it.  We have prayer before our snacks, scripture reading and chapel once a week with Syd.  We emphasize Christian values in Art, Music and Reading throughout the curriculum.  We use the Pearson Learning Company for our 4 year olds.  Each teacher is encouraged to add examples of their personal experiences to the teaching of the students.

Tell us something about yourself?

Well I have been a teacher for 30 years in Elementary & Preschool.  I have a BA & MA in Elementary Education.  I have been with Eastminster here for the past 3 years.  I think Eastminster has sponsored a preschool ministry for the past 8 years.  It is one of our most important ministries.

Thanks Nancy

Nancy can be reached at the church office phone (321)723-8371 or by email.

Elementary school age (Syd Freeze, Christian Education Coordinator)

Syd, what’s going on with the Elementary school age ministry?

Well we have a really, really good program for all elementary ages.  Right now we have about 120 elementary age students that usually attend on regular basis.  In addition to the above special events, the following fun activities are available each Sunday:

...for campus building locations see the Eastminster Map

The children's choir meets at:

• The Sunshine's (K-2^nd grade)  Wednesday 5:30 - 6:15 p.m.

• The Young Disciples (3^rd-6^th grade)  Wednesday 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.

• Sight Reading (3^rd-6^th grade)  Wednesday 5:45 - 6:15 p.m.