By Elizabeth Farina
efarina@midlothianexchange.com

Each day another tile is set in place, another classroom is readied and another step is closer to opening day on Tuesday, Sept. 8, for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & Child Development Center.

The facility, designed by the architectural firm Blazer & Associates, under the direction of Steve Harvey, has been created with dual focus. First, the building will serve babies, toddlers and preschoolers as well as school-aged children, who will be occupying the naturally bright rooms while their parents are working. The center is on the bus route for J.B. Watkins Elementary and looks to add transportation to Evergreen and Swift Creek Elementary schools in the near future.

Also, adjacent to the childcare facility, located on Old Hundred Road, is a sanctuary offering a sizeable place for worship.

On opening day in September, Good Shepherd Child Development Center Director Michele McTague is ready to welcome families to the new childcare facility that has a maximum occupancy of 160. “We have a Christ-centered approach,” McTague said.

The director, who visits the site under construction on a regular basis, has always had a desire to be involved in education since she was a student, inspired by teacher Patricia Riggleman. Both her grandparents and many other relatives were educators. She is excited to be a part of early childhood learning. “I quickly realized that my heart was in education,” McTague said.

McTague, a proud mom of sons Scottie and Ryan, went back to college to complete her education. Her husband Matt knew it was her passion before they married 20 years ago.  She has been involved in the teaching field for a decade, and active in educational boards at the local and state level. She is a current board member of the Richmond Early Childhood Association. 

Experienced in early childhood education, McTague noted that today’s kindergarten is vastly different from parents’ experiences. Because educational, social and emotional skills are critical during those years, she’s a strong advocate of early childhood development and intervention. She is excited that the center provides preschool for children even if they do not need child care.

“We are trained to look for signs in students having difficulty in development and help them in a more positive way,” she said.

Early childhood development is a key step in helping children prepare for their first year in educational system. “We get them ready to tackle kindergarten when they walk in the door,” McTague said.

With a similar facility located in the southern portion of the county, she noted that Good Shepherd, as a ministry of Redeemer Lutheran Church, is not new to child care. “Redeemer Preschool has been in operation for over 35 years,” she said.

The experience has brought in professionals with either a degree in child development or credentials in a related field. “We will provide the loving care that children receive at home,” she said.

Besides the rigors of learning through play, McTague also stresses the importance of communication with parents. “I was a parent, working full-time, with a six-week old and a four-year old. It takes a great amount of trust. We provide a safe, clean, nurturing environment for those entrusted in our care while mom or dad is at work,” she said.

McTague agrees that parents are the first teachers. To help parents, there are several avenues for communication, from face-to-face to daily written reports in the infant program, supplemented by notes on milestones in development. The school also will communicate with digital photography to provide a snapshot of a child’s day.

Atmosphere is also important to the learning process. Two classrooms for each age group are adjoined with shared space for teachers and care givers to use for equipment storage and planning. In age-appropriate classrooms, there are pint-sized potties that are divided for privacy but have a half-door just in case someone is in need of a little extra help. “The great thing is the building is made specific to the needs of young children,” she said.

McTague added that the primary focus is all about the children and is spiritually centered around Christ. “We hope to have children learn about Christ and learn the skills to treat each other the way God intended,” she said. “It’s very difficult to find a full-day Christian child care center

A “hard hat” tour will be on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 1 – 4 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to come and see the progress on the building.Also, view more details online at www.midlothianexchange.com or contact the school for more information at (804) 385-2517.