Adoring Jesus, Loving People & Equipping the Church

Curriculum and Enrichment

NHCDC takes pride in its teachers and how they nurture academic, social and spiritual development. They've helped us take Christian daycare and pre-school to new heights. Each child has an individual way of learning, and we encourage that growth in everything we do.

Assembly/Daily Devotions

Daily devotions are held at the start of each day for 2-1/2 through 5 year olds in the sanctuary.

Classrooms and Curriculum

Classrooms are divided into three levels, with age-appropriate academics based on Tennessee Early Learning Development Standards:

  • Infants (6 weeks through 12 months)
  • Toddlers (13 months through 2 years) Learning skills geared toward Pre-K: colors, shapes, parts of the face and body
  • Pre-K (2 years through 5 years)
    • Pre-school (2-4 years old): Learning days of the week, months, seasons, recognition of letters and numbers, practice writing their name
    • Pre-K (4-5 years old): Learning skills introduced in kindergarten; colors, language skills, writing, the alphabet, reading

Broad learning areas include: Speech and Language, Early Literacy, Math and Science, Social Studies, Social and Emotional Development, and Physical Development.

Each classroom has separate centers for instruction and play in the areas of science, art, blocks, gross motor, reading, math, home living, and dramatic play. All centers and curriculum are individualized and designed to promote hand-eye coordination, concentration, fine and gross motor skills, social interaction, role playing and imagination, group participation, or quiet reading. They also allow for creativity and self-expression, along with learning patience and respect for others.

Depending on the child's age, weekly lesson plans are posted in the classroom on Friday for the upcoming week for parental review. Daily reports go to all parents of all ages except the 4-5 year olds, which occur twice a week. We also post in our newsletter what all children are working on.

Electives for children in the Pre-K program include: music, dance and gymnastics.

The Pinnacle Curriculum, used at NHCDC, is a Christian program designed to be responsive to the specific needs and interests of each child and is particularly effective in helping children learn and thrive in an environment that embraces Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It teaches godly precepts without regard to a particular affiliation or denomination.

Enrichment

Kidstunes (curriculum-based music and singing lessons), Kindergym (physical fitness curriculum for preschoolers) and Kinderdance (developmental ballet, tap, movement and acrobatics for 3-5 year olds) are all offered to CDC students.

Playground/Multi-purpose Room

There is ample opportunity for supervised outdoor play and activities in our enclosed playground areas, and our gym/multipurpose room duplicates that opportunity when the weather is less accommodating.

Summer Program

Every summer, NHCDC hosts a summer session for rising kindergarteners through age ten. There are theme-based activities, a weekly cooking experience, a Christmas in July event, along with an end-of-session program put on by the children.

Teachers and Volunteers

NHCDC teachers undergo regular continuing education and specialized training through workshops and seminars. Our administrators provide support by ensuring a Development Center that operates on sound, stable Christian principals. Our director can provide information/credentials on all of our teachers.

Our support staff includes:

Paul Bane, Pastor, New Hope Community Church

Pastor Paul oversees New Hope, guiding the growth and spiritual development of its members. As a ministry of the church, he takes particular interest in the care and operation of the Child Development Center. A native of Eastern Oklahoma, he became pastor of New Hope in 1987. He and his wife Cathy have two grown children and four granddaughters. For more about Pastor Paul: http://newhopechurchtn.org/about/team.php

Janice Garrett, Director, Child Development Center

With over 30 years experience in childcare, Ms. Garrett has earned numerous child development credentials, including a CDA (Child Development Associate) certificate, an Early Childhood Education technical certificate, and a number of continuing education course hours. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). She is a graduate of Emmanuel Bible College, Nashville, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ministry. For more about Ms. Garrett: http://newhopechurchtn.org/about/team.php

Jackie Locatelli, Assistant Director, Child Development Center

A native of New York, Ms. Locatelli has a degree in elementary education from the University of Binghamton and taught elementary school for more than 25 years. She joined New Hope's CDC in 2007 teaching three-year-olds and was later promoted to Assistant Director. She supports Ms. Garrett in the operation of the CDC.

Donna Laflin, Programs Director, Child Development Center

Planning and special events are the responsibility of Ms. Laflin, and she also serves as a relief teacher when needed. She has been in childcare for 19 years, having taught every age from infants to pre-K classes. She became Programs Director in 2004.

Marcia Tambellini, bookkeeper, Child Development Center

Not only does Ms. Tambellini serve the CDC as bookkeeper, but New Hope Community Church, as well. With a degree in accounting from Southern Illinois University, she has worked in public accounting, banking and bookkeeping. For more about Ms. Tambellini: http://newhopechurchtn.org/about/team.php

Volunteers

From time to time, parents and other volunteers assist us in the classroom. Volunteers may also include students from local universities pursuing their childhood education degrees to parents from NHCDC who simply have a love of children.