Q&A With Our CDC Director
The building renovation provides Christ Lutheran Church with greatly-enhanced ministry opportunities. We wanted to use some Building Blocks updates in the next few weeks to provide you with some specific examples of how individual ministries will be impacted by our new facility. This week, we’re sharing some highlights from a recent conversation with our Child Development Center Director, Cori Berg.

The CDC has made some significant sacrifices during the renovation (closing the infant nursery space and losing use of the kitchen). The staff and CDC Board now have an opportunity to reflect on the ways in which they can upgrade the program to provide the most nurturing and stimulating environment for our children. Growth of the ministry itself is certainly one key way we’ll see the CDC expand. Currently licensed to accommodate 64 children, the school will be licensed to serve 100 in the new facility. “That is an amazing thought to think that each day a hundred children can be benefiting from the love and nurturing of our Christian environment,” says Cori.

Further, not only will an infant nursery again be available, but they will be able to have two spaces for the youngest students! In the past, the infant room accommodated children up to 17 months. In the new facility, they will be able to have one room for infants up to 12 months, and another for toddlers 12-18 months. Cori indicates that this is a significant opportunity to provide specific nurturing in an age-appropriate manner, and it will also provide for a logical transition of the children from infant care into the early preschool classes.

Larger classrooms and gathering areas for combined activities will be very useful in the upgraded facility. Cori says that the larger classrooms solve one basic need: “Children need space to grow!” Cramped classrooms can be a detriment in developing more skills as well as social and cognitive learning. The larger spaces, Cori says, “breed new possibilities.” The shared spaces – including the central area and the fellowship hall/gym can be used for music, dance, puppet shows, and even group science experiments. They’ll also allow the CDC to display more documentation of how the children learn and grow through picture and storyboards.

And, not only will the classrooms be larger, but they’ll be specially equipped for children in terms of sinks and toilets that are just their size. “Our little ones work hard while they are here – painting, sculpting, and constructing,” says Cori. The sinks will provide for quicker cleanup and encourage hand washing before snacks and mealtime. Appropriately-sized toilets, says Cori, will help the staff to integrate toilet training at the pace and interest of the child.

Efficiency and safety are also greatly improved in the new facility. The proximity of the administrative office to the director’s office and workroom will greatly improve the CDC’s ability to work “more as a team.” The importance of secured and coded entrances cannot be overstated, says Cori. “The foundation of our work is the health and safety of our children and employees.” She says that the improvements allow the CDC to have a more detailed emergency response plan and more options for handling crisis events effectively.

Finally, let’s not forget about the parents! Cori says that one area of focus in the new facility will be the offering of more parent education and support events. “Parenting children from birth to five is a life event in itself,” she says. “Parents need the support to know how to handle the challenges they face daily. By offering education, we also provide buy-in to our program and philosophy. It’s a giant circle of support and care.”

The renovations have increased the excitement of the CDC’s current families and potential new families. Cori says that she has received increased interest in the school from inquisitive parents. “They have sensed the dream that began this endeavor and are aware of the blessing they have been given to see its fruition.”