VALLEYDALE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

VELC 2024-25 ENROLLMENT IS NOW FULL.

PLEASE EMAIL AMY BAGWELL AT ABAGWELL@VALLEYDALE.ORG IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO OUR WAITING LIST.

ABOUT US

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We seek to provide each child with the best opportunity to discover God’s love and His importance in their lives. We offer experiences that will enhance his/her development mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually in a nurturing, Christ-centered environment.  


OUR OBJECTIVE


The Valleydale Early Learning Center staff will use the following objectives to provide a Christian environment which will enhance your child’s developmental process in the following ways:
Spiritually

  • Grow in the knowledge of God as Creator and learn of His love and care

  • Know that Jesus is God’s Son

  • Feel that Jesus is a special friend and know how He helps people

  • Desire to be more like Jesus

  • Understand that the Bible is God’s Word (taught through Bible stories and memory verses)

Mentally

  • Develop language skills through everyday activities that develop eager readiness for reading

  • Learn about people and the world around us

  • Learn to follow instructions and grow in creativity

  • Experience readiness activities that will lead to success in reading and math as well as to develop reasoning, thinking and problem-solving skills

Physically

  • Develop large and small motor skills

  • Establish good health rules

  • Learn and follow simply rules of safety

Socially

  • Grow in ability to work and play with others

  • Respect personal rights of others

  • Develop an attitude of kindness, cooperation, courtesy, and helpfulness

  • Experience a positive introduction to an educational environment 


OUR CURRICULUM


VELC uses the A-Beka curriculum with our 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s. This series is biblically-based and age-appropriate. Children will hear Bible stories and recite Bible verses. They will also participate in arts & crafts, motor skill activities, music, and other engaging activities. Each level of instruction is based on thematic units that will also include pre-reading and pre-math, as well as teaching social skills and promoting self-esteem.

EXTRAS (Two, Three, Four, and Five year olds)


Chapel: Consists of Bible stories, games, songs, and prayer time.  We incorporate character values such as truth, sharing, forgiveness, and responsibility into Chapel time through stories and songs.

Music: Instruction in rhythm, listening, and free musical expression will enable your child to be creative and spontaneous.

Creative Movement: Exercise and organized games will assist in developing gross motor skills and teamwork capability.

Art: All ages will benefit from this exciting time where children will use their imaginations to express themselves through art projects. 

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION


VELC’s hours are from 9:30-1:30. We also offer optional early and after care (info shown below):

Early Care: 8:00-9:30 AM

After Care: (A) – 1:30-3:00 PM // After Care (B) – 3:00-4:30 PM

Calendar: We follow the Shelby County School System calendar.  Whenever the schools in Shelby County are out – we will be also. This applies to both scheduled holidays and weather days. Our school year is August through May.

Summer: Valleydale Church offers a 2-day/week summer program separate from VELC.

Allergies: We are a peanut-free environment!

Student/Teacher Ratios:

  • Babies – 4 to 1

  • Ones – 5 to 1

  • Twos – 12 to 2

  • Threes – 12 to 1

  • Fours – 14 to 1

  • Fives – 16 to 1

We would LOVE to meet you and your child! We invite you to come for a tour (M-F 10:00 AM -1:00 PM; no appointment necessary August-May).We keep all exterior doors on the preschool level locked for safety and security. Please enter the church via the main church entrance and come down the stairs/elevator to our area. Please call us at 205.271.7728 or email Amy (abagwell@valleydale.org) or Shannon (scleveland@valleydale.org) with any questions.