Introduction from Director

All people learn and change everyday. Every time we engage in an experience we are given an opportunity to grow. If children are provided with a developmentally appropriate, safe, rich environment, facilitated by a well-trained staff, families, and community, they will blossom in their time.

My educational philosophy is to create and nourish multi-sensory experiences to provide for the potential for growth that every child possesses so they may become confident in God and competent to serve. Central to this is the development of each child’s gifts and talents.

History

In the early 1960’s the Frederick Church of the Brethren expanded their space by adding the rooms, upstairs and downstairs that are currently used as Sunday School and Learning Center classrooms. Ruth Hubbel was the church member most involved in the planning and arranging of the Sunday School rooms for which she was give much credit and thanks.

Soon after that, Mrs. Hubbel arranged to use one of the rooms for a play group. Starting in 1961, and for several years after, she served the social and educational needs of a group of children from the families of church members. By renting additional space, her enrollment increased to 60 children with 4 teachers. Subsequently, the nursery school business was sold to Pat Linehan. She named the center Church of the Brethren Nursery and Kindergarten. Mrs. Linehan expanded the program using all four classrooms- first for morning only and then adding two afternoon classes. Eventually, the enrollment totaled 129 children and was served by 12 staff persons. This very successful program continued until her retirement.

Pat Wallace had been teaching nursery and kindergarten at the Church of the Brethren Nursery and Kindergarten for several years when the business was put on the market in 1981. She agreed to buy and continue the already established business. The name was changed to Church of the Brethren Learning Center Preschool. Before long the center was accommodating 175 children by using all 4 classrooms both morning and afternoon. Several years ago, changes in room utilization allowed the enrollment to increase to 229 students.

Upon her retirement, Mrs. Wallace made the program available for purchase. It was her wish that it remain housed where it had been conceived. In July 1997, Church of the Brethren Learning Center Preschool was acquired by the Frederick Church of the Brethren. It was licensed as a new program by the Maryland State Department of Human Resources Child Care Administration. In response to parent requests, a second dimension is now added. Beginning fall of 2000, Church of the Brethren Learning Center Preschool offers a Full Day Kindergarten program that is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education.

Mission

The Church of the Brethren Learning Center Preschool is an educational and social ministry of the Frederick Church of the Brethren, established for the purpose of providing a quality education within a Christian environment. The Learning Center Preschool provides intellectual, emotional, physical, and religious nurturing to each child without regard to gender, race color, or national or ethnic origin. Essential to the mission of the school is the importance of moral and spiritual values, disciplines, courtesy and respect for others. In harmony with this mission, the leadership of the school is comprised of qualified, devoted, and compassionate personnel who maintain a close relationship with the home, The Learning Center Preschool, and the community, in order to enhance the success of the students.