Meet Our Staff
 
Mrs. Cindy
Administrative Director
Miss. Julie 
Preschool Program Director
Mrs. Tabitha
School Age Program Director
Ms.  Mary
Cook/Lovable Lunch Lady
 
 
Butterfly Class
 
Birth – 12 months
 
 
Our Infant program is paced around the needs and unique differences of each child. Our infants have a primary caregiver who focuses their day around the schedule of the babies for whom they care. This care, while meeting the basic needs for food, diapering, and adequate rest, go far beyond that. Each caregiver provides growth and learning through the love of Jesus Christ.
 
Every moment of a young child’s day offers opportunity for learning. Our teachers catch these moments and help each baby establish trust, discover and feel good about themselves. Daily they tackle motor tasks, realize the power of language, and begin to understand this strange new world from many angles. This includes crawling, being carried, stroller rides, outside play, climbing, bouncing, and rocking. Diaper changing, feeding, and other routines are viewed as vital times for communication, self-discovery, and socialization. Literacy and music play important roles in the Butterfly room; stories are read to the children throughout the day, and music is experienced daily in many ways. 
 
Special Cleaning practices are used in our infant room. All toys are removed from the play space once mouthed and promptly sterilized. All surfaces are cleaned with a bleach solution daily. Staff wash their hands before and after; any diapering, nose wiping, or food service. All those who enter the Butterfly room are required to remove their shoes or wear shoe covers. 
 
 
Mrs. Ann
Lead Teacher
 
I am Mrs. Ann. I have four children and two grandchildren. I am the lead teacher of the butterfly room and have been working at FKLC for five years. I graduated from Kellogg Community College with an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education 
 
Mrs Amanda
Infant Aide
 
Miss Brittney
Infant/Toddler Aide
 
Mrs. Shanna
Infant Aide
 
Miss Elizabeth
Infant/Toddler Aide
 
Miss Payton
Infant/Toddler Aide
 
 
Ladybug Class
 
 
12 months – 20 months
 
In the Lady Bug room we work hard to keep a consistent schedule for your children. I create weekly lesson plans from our faith based pinnacle. A daily lesson plan includes circle time. During this time we introduce colors, shapes, numbers and letters, and also read a book to extend their vocabulary. Throughout the remainder of the day we work on fine and gross motor skills. We also participate in art and sensory activities. These things are often alternated as to not rush the kids through an activity, but rather allow them to be fully engaged. The infant room teaches basic sign language, so we continue that to help them better communicate their needs. Our goal is to help your child grow in a loving, nurturing, Christ built environment. 
 
 
Lead Teacher 
Miss. Kendyl
 
My name is Miss Kendyl and I am the lead teacher for the Ladybug classroom. I have been working at First Kids Learning Center for 3 years. I am currently working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Ed. at KCC. 
 
 
Miss Payton
Infant/Toddler Aide
 
Miss Kari
Toddler Aide
 
Mrs. Allison
Toddler Aide
 
Miss Nancy
Toddler Aide
 
Miss Hannah
Toddler Aide
 
Miss Elizabeth
Infant/Toddler Aide
 
 
 
Lion Class
 
20 months – 30 months
 
In the Lion Room we begin preparing the kids for our preschool program. This is accomplished through circle time in the morning, when we learn about colors, shape, letters and numbers. We also read a story and Bible story every day. At the end of circle time we play music and give the kids a chance to move. Independent play is also encouraged through stations. We begin the potty training journey in this class, as well. 
Mrs. Harli
Co-Lead Teacher
 
My name is Mrs. Harli, a co-lead for the Lion Room. I have been working in Early Childhood Education for 10 years, the last 2 1/2 years at First Kids Learning Center. I am currently enrolled at KCC working towards a degree in ECE. I am expected to graduate Spring of 2021. I have been married since 2012. My husband and I have two kids, Abigail and Lucas. 
 
Miss Megan
Co-Lead Teacher
 
My name is Miss Megan, a co-lead for the Lion Room. I have been working in Early Childhood Education for 5 years all at First Kids Learning Center. I am currentl yattending classes at KCC. I working towards a degree in ECE. 
 
 
Miss Payton
Infant/Toddler Aide
 
Mrs. Nancy
Toddler Aide
 
Mrs. Allison
Toddler Aide
 
Miss Elizabeth
Infant/Toddler Aide
 
 
 
 
Elephant Class
 
30 months – 3 years
 
 
First Kids Learning Center is set up in a way that helps prepare your child for school. In every classroom there is learning happening geared towards specific age groups. In the Elephant classroom, we introduce more of a sit-down learning time to help prepare them for school. During our circle time, or learning time we break it into three sections: 1) Stories and discussion of the weeks topic. 2) Music and movement. This allows the kids a time to get some wiggles out. 3) Board work. This is when we dive into our letters, shapes, colors, and numbers. We also use this time to go over our days of the week and the weather outside, More learning occurs in our everyday play, art, and sensory activities. 
 
Miss Samantha
Lead Teacher
 
Hello, my name is Miss Samantha and I am the lead teacher in the Elephant Room. I graduated from Kellogg Community College with an associates in general studies. I am currently attending Western Michigan University to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Elementary math. Watching the children learn and grow has been such a blessing.
Miss Abbie
Preschool Aide
 
Miss DeLaura
Preschool Aide
 
Ms. Nancy
Toddler/Preschool Aide
 
Mr. John
Preschool Aide
 
 
Owl Class
 
3 years – 4 years
 
 
At First Kids we want to provide your child the best education possible. It is a blessing to be able to teach your three year old about the love of Christ and the Bible. Academically, we will be working on the alphabet. We will work on recognizing, writing, and sounding out the letters. We will work on being able to count to 20 and working on recognizing the numbers. We will work on how to hold a writing utensil. We will also learn how to spell and write our names. Practice fine motor skills by writing, cutting and sewing. Our goal is to partner with you to help your child grow as much as possible.
Ms. Laura
Lead Teacher
 
Hi, I am Ms. Laura. I am the lead teacher of the Owl Room. I was previously the Bunny Room Teacher. I have been working at First Kids for over three years. I graduated from Spring Arbor University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Youth Ministry with a minor in Children’s Ministry. 
It brings me such joy to work with children. Watching them grow and learn is one of my favorite things in life.
Mr. Jesse
School Age/Preschool Aide
 
Mr. John
Toddler/Preschool Aide
 
Miss Abbie
Preschool Aide
 
 
Bear Class
Preschool
 
 

With the Lord’s help, we strive to provide a safe, healthy, happy environment where the children can learn and grow. We have hands – on learning experiences, positive social interactions, and a literacy – rich program. Our teachers use stories and literature to expand the learning experiences and to provide opportunities to interact with the world outside the classroom. We consider it an honor for families to entrust their children to our care.

Mrs. Cindy 
Lead Teacher
 

Hello, my name is Mrs. Cindy and I am the lead teacher of the Bear class. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree from Hyles – Anderson College in Merrillville, Indiana and have eighteen years of experience teaching children from preschool age to fourth grade.

 
Mrs. Julee
Preschool Aide
 
Miss Abbie
Preschool Aide
 
Mr. John
Toddler and Preschool Aide
 
 
Eagles
School Age (Kindergarten – Middle School) 
 
 
As part of the school age program, one of our main goals is to teach children about the love of God. Before school we do a devotion and have conversations about the devotion. After school we learn about God’s love through Bible stories, games, crafts, and music. In the summer of 2018 we will be going on a road trip through the 66 books of the Bible, going on field trips, and enjoying the summer!
Mrs. Tabitha
Lead Teacher
 

I am Tabitha and I am the School Age Program Director. I attended Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, ID in pursuit of a degree in Christian Ministry with a minor in Children’s Ministry. At twelve years of age, God called me to work with children and from that time, to the time I moved to Battle Creek, I have been a teacher or Children’s Ministry Director in five different churches. I was also a camp counselor for four consecutive summers during college. God called me to First Kids Learning Center in January of 2014 and I have loved every minute of it.

 
Mr. Jesse
Preschool and School Age Aide
 
Miss Diana
School Age Aide