The Christ-Centered Daycare & Preschool Environment

And Jesus took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me." (Mark 9:36-37)

What makes the *Christian daycare setting so unique in today's ever-darkening world? 

It is our desire to provide an environment of worship and learning where children can discover God. Our Christian daycare and preschool  responsibilities include playing with the child or directing his play, reading to him, praying for each child, exhibiting Christ-like patience and love, and relating the events of the day -or the preschool lesson and theme- in words the child can understand. We purpose to ensure a safe, secure, nurturing, clean and efficient care to our children. 

Teaching God's Word to Little Ones:

Early Childhood is the best time to build a God-centered worldview for children. Strive to integrate Biblical Truth into the activities the children are doing. Take advantage of every opportunity to make Biblical Truths “real” to the children, repeating them over and over, applying them to anything normal around them. For example: “Do you see the dolphin in the puzzle? God made dolphins. What else did God make? God made everything!”  It is important to be able to express excitement, energy, and love for God’s Word when sharing Bible stories and their principles. The Bible is to be taught as historical Truth, not as just a story. 

1. Christian daycare must be Jesus-Centered. This means that in our teaching, we must emphasize the greatness of God. The Bible is first and foremost a book about God. We want our children to see how strong and big and faithful and loving and majestic and smart and satisfying our God is. This is my prayer for the children I care for - that they would experience God in such a way as to develop a lifelong desire for Him; so when times of trouble come they will take refuge in Him. "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" Psalm 34:8
2. Christian daycare must be Bible-saturated. This means that God's Word must permeate everything that we do. "From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15  Mere human works are not enough to guide our children to God - they need the Bible. Only God's Word can change hearts.
3. Christian daycare must be Gospel-driven. We must be intentional to proclaim the Gospel to children and their families. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."  Romans 1:16  This was also the command of Christ:"Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."  Mark 16:15
4. Christian daycare must address the whole family.We recognize that God has called parents to be the primary faith-nurturers of children. Therefore, Christian daycare providers should work with parents to assist them in fulfilling this calling. This means serving the parents as well as the children.
5. Christian daycare is about serving kids. At the end of the day, we are working to help and serve the children. Our work is to put their ultimate spiritual needs ahead of our own. "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." Mark 9:35

I hope that these thoughts have encouraged you to make your Christian Daycare and/or preschool about God, his Word, his Gospel and His families.