First Presbyterian Church Children’s Center

• Now Enrolling Ages 2.5 – 4 yrs for Fall 2023 (See Enrollment Tab for more information)
• Now Hiring – Part-time Afternoon Teachers and Substitutes (See News & Resources Tab for more information)

Call the Children’s Center Office at 210-225-0960 for more information on enrollment or hiring.

Licensed by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services

A Place for Children to…

• Learn
• Work
• Play
• Develop as a whole child
• Become involved in the lives of young children
• Form friendships
• Be herself/himself

The Children’s Center at First Presbyterian Church was opened on September 3, 1980, with five classrooms. Since then, the Children’s Center has adopted the mission to show the children, on a daily basis, aspects of Christian living and God’s love for each child through the teaching and example of the teachers, staff and members of the church staff.  It is because of the excellent staff and mission that the center has grown and become one of the best in San Antonio.

Our Program:

• Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers (6 weeks—Age 5)
• Year-round care
• Full Time Program : Monday- Friday, 7:00 am-6:00 pm
• Part Time Program: 2-day, 3-day or 5-day Options, 8:30 am-2:30 pm
• Qualified, nurturing, experienced staff
• Developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Reggio Emilia Inspired
• Lunch and snacks provided
• Weekly chapel service
• Special Summer Activities

Laura Ortiz

Children’s Center Director

Email: LauraO@fpcsat.org

Ms. Laura has been working in the Early Childhood field for over 25 years. She has been a teacher with FPCC for the last 16 years. She was also an administrator before she came to FPCC. Ms. Laura received her Associates Degree in Child Development from San Antonio College in 2005. Later, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Child Studies from the University of the Incarnate Word in 2008, graduating Cum Laude.  Ms. Laura is married and has two adult children.  Both of her grandchildren are FPCC babies. Her grandson graduated this year and her granddaughter is learning and growing in one of the FPCC infant classrooms.  She loves spending time with her family and playing with her grandchildren. You can find her either working in her office or reading books in a classroom.

Fun Fact: Ms Laura will always say “Kiss Your Brain” if you share an idea!

Midea Leija

Children’s Center Administrative Assistant

Email: MideaM@fpcsat.org

Ms. Midea is the happy face that greets you every day. She is currently our administrative assistant but has served in many roles including preschool teacher during her 16 years at FPCC. She obtained her Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University at San Antonio in 2017, graduating Cum Laude. Ms. Midea is married and is a dog mom to Bruno. Shark lover and connoisseur of coffee, you can find Ms. Midea outdoors any day of the week. She is always open to hugs and snuggles, just stop by her desk anytime.

TEACHING STAFF

Adriana Juarez, Assistant Teacher

Andrea Garcia, Lead Teacher
Ariel Bandera, Assistant Teacher
Cynthia Bocanegra, Lead Teacher
Debbie Ramirez, Assistant Teacher
Elizabeth Cardona, Lead Teacher
Ellie Escamilla, Music Teacher
Erika Garcia, Lead Teacher
Jennifer Garcia-Perez, Lead Teacher
Jessica Siller, Assistant Teacher
Juanita Martinez, Lead Teacher
Meosha Erving, Assistant Teacher
Mercedes Ortiz, Assistant Teacher
Michelle Thomas, Assistant Teacher

Olivia Sadler, Assistant Teacher
Sabrina Guzman, Lead Teacher
Samantha Moreno, Assistant Teacher
Trinity Vega, Assistant Teacher

HOUSEHOLD STAFF

Angelica Palacios
Janie Jimenez
Leticia Alvarez

KITCHEN STAFF

Maria Elena Berrospe
Maurilio Garza, Jr.

YOU MAY ALSO SEE

Alexandra Orosco, Front Door
Arturo Tapia, Front Door
Greg Slayden, Front Door
Jeff Carawan, Building Maintenance
Ron Hanna, Front Door
Steven Anthony, Front Door

Our Philosophy:

• Our educational approach is inspired by the Reggio Emilia way.
  • We believe each child is a unique individual with a hundred languages and have the right to learn with capacity to drive their own success.
  • We believe in a developmental approach to learning so,
    • Children set their own pace, perspective, and direction,
    • Children discover and investigate based on their own interests and curiosity,
    • Children are encouraged to be independent and seek out solutions to their problems.
    • Environments are set up to inspire, engage, immerse, and support children’s learning.
  • We believe that the process of learning is as important as the content of learning.
  • We believe parents are the primary teacher in a child’s life, and we do everything possible to ensure parental involvement.
  • We believe that providing a Christian environment and promoting Christian values sets children up to be kind, caring, and loving people in society.

Reggio Emilia Approach:

“The child has a hundred languages.”
– Loris Malaguzzi, Founder Reggio Emilia Approach

Reggio Children Website
North American Reggio Emilia Alliance
Values of Reggio Children

Imagine believing that children have the ability to express themselves in more than one way.  Now times that by 100!  Loris Malaguzzi, founder of the Reggio Approach, describes the “infinite ways that children can express, explore, and connect their thoughts, feelings, and imaginings.”  

Our Curriculum:

The daily program provides for a variety of experiences, levels of difficulty and individual pacing. There is a balance of quiet/active, large/small muscle, child/staff initiated and large/small group activities. Learning center activities include: dramatic play, blocks, manipulatives, music, art, library, science, math, computers, and other experiences throughout each day. To help children reach their maximum potential, the center’s program uses authentic assessment in the planning of individualized experiences based on early learning standards for content areas, such as literacy, math, science, and social studies. Birth-to-three standards and benchmarks for early learning include the areas of communication, cognitive, social-emotional, creative expression, and motor development. The Children’s Center provides a variety of developmentally appropriate activities that emphasize concrete experimental learning to achieve the following goals:

• Foster positive self-concept
• Develop social skills
• Encourage children to think, reason, question and experiment
• Encourage language development
• Encourage and demonstrate sound health, safety and nutritional practices
• Enhance physical development and skills
• Encourage creative expression and appreciation for the arts
• Respect cultural diversity of children, families and staff

Promote early spiritual development of children with foundations based on trust, concern for and acceptance of others.

NAEYC Accreditation:

The Children’s Center is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs (a division of NAEYC). Accreditation represents the consensus of early childhood professionals regarding the definition of high-quality programs for young children.

About NAEYC Accreditation

NAEYC Accreditation Standards & Assessment Items

NAEYC Family Resources

Texas Child Care Minimum Standards:

The program adheres to the Minimum Standard Rules for Child Care Centers and is licensed by the Texas Department of Health & Human Services.

Texas Child Care Licensing Website

Texas Health & Human Services Website

Texas Child Care Minimum Standards

THHS Parent Resources

THHS Parent Notification Poster

THHS Parent Keeping Children Safe

How to Enroll:

If you would like more information about fees and enrollment, please email Laura Ortiz, Director of Children’s Center, at laurao@fpcsat.org, or call 210-225-0960.

Fall 2023 Enrollment for Ages 2.5 – 4 yrs

We are enrolling for our regular toddler and preschool (2.5 – 4 years of age) classrooms both part-time (2, 3, or 5 day: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM) and full-time (M-F: 7 AM – 6 PM). Contact Laura Ortiz at laurao@fpcsat.org, visit fpcsanantonio.org/childrens-center or call (210) 225-0960. Get on the wait list for other age classrooms by filling out the form at bit.ly/fpccc-waitlist-form.