Little Friends Day Care and Preschool (LFDC) is a Registered Ministry of Wabash Friends Church and complies with state regulations regarding Day Care Ministries. 

PRESCHOOL: LFDC offers an exceptional preschool program to prepare children for Kindergarten. The emphasis is on academics; social, emotional, physical, and fine-motor skills along with spiritual values. The Preschool Program runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9-11 a.m., September through May. It is available to children three years old (who are toilet trained) through 5 years old. Classes are based on age and skill levels. Currently there are 4 classes: two pre-kindergarten classes and two younger groups. Chapel is held three mornings each week. 

CHILD CARE: LFDC also provides daily child care from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for children 3 (toilet trained) through 12. Daily and weekly rates are available and LFDC is qualified to receive funds from the Youth Bureau for children whose families meet the Bureau’s financial requirements.. This program is available year-round. The Day Care program provided class time, crafts, reading, music, organized physical activities, free play activities, and more. Nap time is available in the afternoons at the parents’ discretion. Children who attend the day care during the school months also take part in the preschool program 

BEFORE/AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM LFDC offers before and after-school programs for school age children. Parents drop children off in the morning, and a Metro school bus picks those up who attend Southwood Elementary. The bus from Southwood also drops children off at LFDC after school. Children who attend morning Kindergarten at Southwood can be picked up by the LFDC staff and transported to the church for the afternoon. Parents of children who attend other schools can use public transit or carpool with friends to get children to and from school. 

SUMMER ADVENTURE PROGRAM LFDC additionally offers Summer Adventure during the months of June, July and August. This program involves academics, music, drama, crafts, in-class guests, organized games, free-play time, field trips, swimming at Honeywell Pool, and more. This program is available for children age 3 through age 12. 

STAFF The staff at LFDC is qualified, experienced and caring. The last person hired has been with LFDC for 2 years and the others have served at Little Friends for 5-10 years. Staff training is an ongoing process emphasizing child care skills, academics, first aid, and emergency procedures. 

For information, contact Director Brenda Ritchie at (260) 563-8452.

Updated 3-21-07