I get to do a lot of very cool things every month as a pastor at Prince of Peace but here’s one of my favorites – I get to read to the preschool kids at our Child Development and Learning Center (CDLC). I just love diving into a story with them. You can just hear their little imaginations churning, and their energy and excitement is simply contagious. I find it remarkable that I can have that much fun doing something that will actually help them in their development. Talk about a win/win!
Reading to the CDLC kids has also given me an opportunity to be better connected to what God is doing through our pre-school ministry. I am amazed and grateful for outstanding leadership of Sue Linden and her dedicated staff. Their love for the kids is a joy to see. The children in their care are not only learning important cognitive skills, they are also growing in faith. Our staff is laying a solid foundation for their lives. They even offer opportunities to learn computer skills and Spanish language skills.
CDLC was founded in 1971. It’s a Christian half-day preschool for children ages 3 to 5. It began with 30 students and currently serves 225 children each week. This year in addition to our existing Lunch Bunch program, CDLC offered a new 5 and 3 full day program to address the changing needs of our families.
All children of any cultural background or religious affiliation are welcome, and we’re working hard to embrace the diversity of our community. Our staff seeks to provide opportunities for each child to define self, understand who they are and discover their role within the community. They encourage physical, social, emotional and spiritual growth for each child. How good is our CDLC? Good enough to have been voted “Best Preschool in Burnsville” several months ago!
Registration is now open for the 2012-2013 school year. There’s a virtual tour available, along with more information on the CDLC website. Check it out here. In an effort to make this foundational education available for all children, including those from families with financial need, CDLC offers scholarship assistance. For more information please email Sue Linden or call 952-898-9346
If you have a preschooler, or if you know someone who does, please tell them about CDLC. They’ll thank you for the recommendation, and so will their kiddos!
Thanks for your partnership in ministry
Jeff Marian
Lead Pastor