First Kids Early Childhood and School Age Care is a non-profit program committed to admitting children from infancy through school age regardless of race, color, handicap, sex, or religion.

First Christian Church views children and families as a precious resource, given by God. Through First Kids Early Childhood and School Age Care, we have the opportunity to provide a Christian atmosphere and stimulating environment in which children may grow in knowledge and love of God as well as physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually.

Goals

• To meet the basic needs of each child in a loving, Christian atmosphere where each child feels secure and comfortable away from home and family;
• To provide each child with attention, acceptance and affection;
• To help each child develop a positive self-image and sense of competence and understand that he/she is a unique individual, created and loved by God;
• To encourage each child to develop a concern for others, a sense of community, and a spirit of sharing;
• To provide warm, caring, Christian staff who are knowledgeable in early childhood education and have the ability to work successfully with young children and their parents;
• To foster creativity, exploration, self-discipline and a love of learning;
• To assist parents in guiding the development of their children;
• To be a school in which children, parents, and staff will feel and know God's love.

First Kids offers both part time and full time infant care. At First Kids we recognize that Infants and toddlers are not too young to benefit from high-quality early learning environments. 80 percent of brain development occurs between birth and age 3.

First Kids offers the following for infants and toddlers:

3 Aspects of Safe and Healthy Care for your Infant or Toddler:

1. Group Size and Ratio: First Kids offers a program for infants and toddlers that is made up of small groups. Lower ratios lead to better relationships with teachers and children receive more one on one attention. The maximum number of infants is 4. The maximum number of toddlers is 6 (with a teacher and assistant).
2. Consistency of Care: First Kids offers consistency and continuity of care by providing teacher a regular schedule with the same teachers and care givers on a daily basis. Infants and toddlers need to be able to build secure attachments and strong relationships with their caregivers to grow and develop. When children are comfortable with their caregivers they are more likely to explore their environment. Our lead infant teacher has been here over 20 years.
3. Environment: At First Kids the environment is very child friendly. There is plenty of space for children to move freely throughout the room. The furnishings in our classrooms are child size and all of our activities are age appropriate. Additionally, we have a nice carpeted gym for gross motor development.