Federated Church Preschool celebrates three decades of child enrichment

The vision

Stephany Rewick, current preschool board member and one of the original Weekday Childcare Task Force members in 1991, shared this rendition of the beginning days.

“Upon my family’s arrival in Placerville in 1984, as an elementary school teacher with a 3-year old and an infant I began searching for a daycare," she began. "I knew exactly the values and high standard care I was looking for, but was finding it to be quite a challenge. 

"Serendipitously, our family found a church home at Federated Church. As the church building went through a remodel and the church’s children and family ministry was expanding to include the wider community, the idea of establishing a preschool in the renovated facility began to take hold,” Rewick shared.

Over two years were spent researching local and state licensing requirements, the type of program to be offered, determining the role of the church in the preschool and the process for finding qualified staff. In 1993 a study session of the church council was held and Elder Paul Converse made a motion to establish Federated Church Preschool and Childcare Center as a program of Federated Church and operate under its nonprofit standing and guidance. Being unanimously approved, the preschool opened its doors in the fall of 1993. 

Over the years

An environment of love where ecumenism and inclusivity are respected and where families of all faiths, cultures and beliefs are welcomed is a hallmark of the preschool as it is with the church. Through the years, more than 700 children have experienced a rich, nurturing environment in which to learn respect for themselves and others as well as their community at large.

Community Helpers Month has always been a favorite of the children as local first responders arrive in force to meet and bond with them. Learning past the local community is also part of the curriculum and Amy Bryant, a young Federated Church [reschool student in 2003, shared she has fond memories of a trikeathon fundraiser held to support St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Passionate and skilled professional early childhood teachers guide transformative learning. Currently, all staff participate in the Quality Counts program through the El Dorado County Office of Education. With these trainings comes a skilled coach who visits the school and continues to give useful tools for handling different situations and personalities. The preschool is noted for the teachers’ constancy and permanence.

“Our school has been very fortunate to consistently have directors and teachers who were and are very committed to this school and their work with the children," said Kelly Reeves, director of Federated Preschool. "Being a preschool teacher takes a special person with a big heart and a lot of patience. Most of us got into the field because we were able to bring our own children to work with us, but ended up falling in love with our jobs and all of the children.” 

Continuing the legacy

Today, the preschool is open to children ages 2-6. The curriculum is play-based with a wonderful, securely fenced yard offering plenty of opportunities to get dirty. The children are led from the basics of recognizing their first names and colors, to TK or kindergarten ready through multi-sensory play and projects.

Aris Wilson serves as a parent representative and chairperson of the Preschool Board. When asked why her family chose Federated Preschool, she said, "We have friends whose children attended the preschool and they highly recommended it. We were drawn to the structure of the play-based, outdoor learning and the warm welcome we received as a new family. We are now loving the growth that we are seeing in our girls."  

One of the favorite newly created programs of the preschool is Tuesday’s Childrens’ Church. In a large room brightly adorned in rainbow colors, the children gather to experience tactile biblical stores based on a curriculum called Godly Play. The morning session is designed to remind the children that they are all children of a loving God. This message is relayed through stories, singing, yoga movement and meditation, joyfully shared by Children’s Ministry Director Amanda Anderson; Music Director Rebecca Monroe; and The Rev. Dr. Laura Barnes.

In recognition of the 30th anniversary and in an effort to continue the scholarship program set up to offer assistance to parents who find themselves in need of temporary support, the preschool board has established a 30th Anniversary Scholarship Fund in hopes of continuing to support these families.

For more information about Federated Church Preschool visit fedederatedpreschool.wixsite.com. To inquire about the celebration and/or to make a gift to the 30th Anniversary Fund visit eldoradofederatedchurch.org or call (530) 622-0273. El Dorado Federated Church and Preschool are located at 1031 Thompson Way in Placerville.