Weekday Children's Ministry

WEEKDAY CLOSING EXTENSION UPDATE:

Dear Parents,

On behalf of FUMC and FUMC Weekday Children’s Ministry, I can’t thank you enough for your prayers, patience, and flexibility over the last few months. Please know that the safety of your child and our wonderful employees remains our top priority.

During this season, FUMC has thoroughly evaluated and considered the impacts of COVID-19 on our ministries. The church remains committed to follow the recommendation of Bishop Graves of the Alabama-West Florida Conference as well as the guidelines of the CDC. It was announced in a newsletter article today that the church will open once we have experienced a “14 day downward trajectory (or near-zero incidence) of documented cases of COVID-19 in our state and in Houston County.”

The path to this decision has not been an easy one but when we consider the health and safety of the children in our program, as well as our dedicated staff, our decisions become clearer. Our center has 185+ children enrolled in our program. With the threat of COVID-19 remaining, the Weekday Children’s Ministry will follow the plans of FUMC and open once the downward trajectory is reached and maintained. Once we are able to open, you will be given a notice of at least 3 working days.

In addition and with much disappointment, we will not be offering Summer Camp this summer. We are not comfortable maintaining proper social distancing guidelines while offering these wonderful opportunities with children. We very much look forward to resuming ministry. Tuition will not be charged during this time and our prayer is that our amazing staff will continue to be paid.

As always, I can be reached via email (krysten@fumcdothan.org) if you have any questions or concerns regarding our closure. Your continued prayers are welcomed as we continue to find ourselves in an unprecedented time.

Sincerely,

Krysten M. Watts, Director
FUMC Weekday Children’s Ministry

Weekday Ministry Office Staff

Krysten Watts

Director of Weekday Ministry
krysten@fumcdothan.org

Teryn Bendinger

Assistant Director of Weekday Ministry
teryn@fumcdothan.org

Sydney Graves

Weekday Office Manager

Our Mission

The First United Methodist Church Daycare/Preschool is child-centered, biblically-based and educational. We offer a hands-on, developmentally-appropriate program where your child will be enriched spiritually, socially, cognitively and physically.

DAYCARE / PRESCHOOL DETAILS

DETAILS:
Ages 6 weeks through kindergarten
Full-time only and a year-round program
$125/week (includes a morning and afternoon snack as well as lunch daily)
(second child discount of $10/week)
Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 5:30pm

Once children reach the age for preschool (K3, K4, K5), they will automatically receive preschool for the morning portion (8:30-12:00) of the day during the school year (August-May) and will have before and after childcare.

REGISTRATION PROCESS/WAITING LIST:
You may call to be added to our waiting list, 793.2179, at any time including pregnancy. Our waiting list is extensive and spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be contacted if, or when, a spot becomes available at which time you will be asked to pick up and fill out our enrollment packet and pay the registration fee. Registration begins in February for children already in our program and also for church members. Remaining spots are offered to the public in the beginning of March. Enrollment packets should be returned at least one week before the first day of attendance. Before the child can be admitted, all forms (registration packet, current immunization record, signed agreement page of Parents’ Handbook and copy of insurance card) must be completed and turned in with the registration fee. You will remain on the waiting list until preschool age, at which time families will register in February for the following school term, requesting both the preschool and childcare programs if needed.