We are more than a day care: we are a Child Development Center. The First English Lutheran Church Child Development Center is a nurturing place that will care for each child, ensure their happiness, and teach them to interact with others. The Center strives to create an atmosphere in which a child is respected as an individual. Our mission is to provide a quality experience that helps each child develop physically, socially, and emotionally. The Center is a Texas Rising Star 4-Star Provider. We have served the community as an outreach program of First English Lutheran Church since 1972 for children ages 18 months to 5 years. The Center is full-day and year-round. We are served by staff and also a board of directors comprised of parents of current students and also FELC members. Members include Sean Peterson (president), Nancy Baden (secretary), Michele Hockett Cooper, Monica Lund (treasurer), and Elizabeth Zimmermann.
Here’s a letter from our director:
April 7, 2022
Hi everyone,
First English Lutheran Child Development Center is strong in 2022. Keeping our doors open since July 2020 has been no easy feat. We have been successful because of the amazing cooperation of our families and the hard work of our staff.
A main priority is to keep everyone safe. I’m incredibly proud to say we have had zero cases of community spread, and only needed to close a classroom one time. We continue to abide by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Austin Public Health guidelines. We wear a mask in the building which provides safety for all our children and staff. This is also important given the limited access for children to receive vaccines. Extra cleaning protocols also support our community health.
Our classrooms are at capacity. Though we continue to be down one classroom given significant issues with hiring, we look forward to strong enrollment in the fall. If you know of any candidates looking for roles in child development, please send them our way!
Our balance sheet is healthy going into next year. We’ve benefited from several community and government grants. We had a successful fundraiser by current and former FELCDC families. This year we hope to make improvements to the playground, HVAC, and work on other projects.
After two years of this pandemic, we hope that the trend towards a semblance of normalcy continues!
Thank you for all your support especially during this unprecedented time. I continue to have so much gratitude for the families and community that has been built around FELCDC!
Gratefully,
LaQuetha Ford
FELCDC Director