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Back in 1967, Hope Lutheran Church in New Castle Del. offered a kindergarten program to the community before kindergarten was a part of primary school education. Fast forward 51 years, and Hope Lutheran has evolved into an early education center with six classrooms for children ages 2 through 8, offering before- and after-school care.
A Star Level 5 program, Hope Lutheran attributes their success, in part, to their focus on community. "We create opportunities for parents and caregivers to stop in our offices to talk with us," said Laura Cahill, center director. "We try to make our center as similar to home as possible while giving children many opportunities to learn."
Laura also points out that she and her team are very intentional about keeping their work "simple, sweet, slow and steady." This approach is rooted in the center's core values of education, nutrition, and spirituality.
"We just don't focus on academics," added Janine Borrelli, office manager. "We're about nourishing the mind, body, and soul."
Both Laura and Janine our quick to point out Delaware Stars and TA Dan Reagan's role in the center's success.
"We wanted to work with Stars from the very beginning," said Laura. "It wan't about the money but we wanted the coaching."
"And Dan has done exactly that," she added. "He's encouraged us to be who we are while improving. Now we think about the 'why' of the many aspects of our work."
"We know what Stars expects us to do is the right thing to do for our children," said Laura.
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