COMING EVENTS
1255 Canal Blvd.
Thibodaux, LA 70301
Phone:(985)447-4287
The Little School Study Team Report
The Little School was founded in 1977 by the Church Council of First United Methodist Church for the purpose of “reach[ing] out to the community, to both Christians and non Christians, and to provide educational and spiritual experience for pre-school age children.” (By-Laws of The Little School: Article II, ¶ 1)
Since 1977 The Little School has faithfully fulfilled its mandate and is recognized as the premier Christian child care program in Thibodaux. The Little School has an excellent reputation as evidenced by both the full enrollment and waiting list the Little School has year after year.
The needs of both church members and the community have changed since The Little School was founded. Our research indicates that more families, in both the community and the church, are in need of high quality, full time care for their children. More families, in both the community and the church, are in need of high quality, full time infant care.
In recent years members of First United Methodist Church have been forced to find alternative programs to care for their children because of their need for full day or infant care.
Our research reveals that comparable full day programs for both infant and pre-school aged children in Thibodaux are at maximum capacity and have waiting lists.
Therefore, The Little School Mission Team recommends the Church Council of First United Methodist Church adopt the following proposals so that The Little School can continue to meet the needs of families in our community and church:
1) First United Methodist Church take immediate steps to relocate The Little School to the North Canal Property.
2) The plans for relocation make provision to expand the enrollment to not less than 175 children.
3) The Half-Day Pre-School Program be retained.
4) The program of The Little School be expanded to meet the needs of those families in need of full day care (7:00 AM- 6:00 PM for example).
5) A plan of ministry be developed for Infant Care (6wks – 2 years)
Members of the Little School Study Team:
Martha Babin, Tonya Caffery, Tina Gehbauer, Kelly Guinn, Jonathan Terrell, Rev. Donnie Wilkinson