Classes and age groups at the ELC

The Early Learning Center at Shades Mountain Baptist Church offers many class options ranging in age from babies to four-year-olds. Aside from the baby classes, all ages are offered two, three or five days a week. The four-year-olds also have a four day option. Below is a breakdown of each class currently offered this year at the ELC.

The Early Learning Center offers four different age classifications for the baby classes. All baby classes are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
2-9 months -- Mrs. Lauren and Mrs. Betsy are there to ensure that the youngest of the ELC students learn that their new preschool is a safe and loving environment.
10-16 months -- Mrs. Beverly and Mrs. Allison are there to help their babies explore God's world around them through music, play and stepping outside the walls of the classroom.
17-20 months -- Mrs. Dawn and Mrs. Joni provide the same environment as the 10-16 month olds, but they also begin adding in-class activities and they are able to enjoy the indoor playground.
21-24 months -- Mrs. Cathy and Mrs. Dottie's students do all the same things as above in an "older babies" group setting.

The two-year-old classes are offered for two (Tuesday and Thursday), three (Tuesday - Thursday) or five days (Monday - Friday) from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The two-year-olds learn their shapes, colors and begin letter recognition. They also focus on a fun, preschool-relevant weekly theme. They attend music each week. The three and five day classes attend Wiggles, as well. They also are able to play on either the covered outdoor playground (downstairs) or the indoor playground (when the weather is too cold) each day.
Two day teacher: Mrs. Cori
Three day teachers: Mrs. Beth and Mrs. Brandi
Five day teacher: Mrs. Natasha

The three-year-old classes are offered two (Tuesday and Thursday), three (Tuesday - Thursday) or five (Monday - Friday) days from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. These students learn to recognize their letters and numbers. They also focus on a fun, preschool-relevant theme each week. The three-year-olds are able to attend computers, Spanish and music. The three and five day classes also attend Wiggles. They, too, can play daily on either the downstairs or indoor playground.
Two day teacher: Mrs. Nancy
Three day teacher: Mrs. Melinda
Five day teachers: Mrs. Christy and Mrs. Karen

The four-year-old classes are offered three (Tuesday - Thursday), four (Monday - Thursday) or five days (Monday - Friday)  from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The four-year-olds focus on learning their letters, numbers and sight words through fun and preschool-relevant weekly themes. After Christmas break, they are separated into reading groups once a week. The main objective for the four-year-old teachers is to prepare their students for kindergarten. These students are able to go to the upstairs outdoor or indoor playground on a daily basis. They attend computers, Wiggles, Spanish and music each week.
Three day teacher: Mrs. Jamye
Four day teacher: Mrs. Sara
Five day teachers: Mrs. Kate and Mrs. Emily

*For more information, please contact the ELC by calling 205.823.0550 or emailing the director (Cynthia Turner) at cturner@shades.org or the assistant director (Melissa Shockey) at mshockey@shades.org.