Little Angels Early Learning Center has opened its doors to children ages two and a half to five at Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church.
The learning center hopes to bring education to young children before they begin school while also teaching them Christian ideals. They are enrolling now and officially opened on Oct. 10.
Business Manager Cindy Adams said those interested may contact the program for information on enrollment.
“If they contact us, we send them a QR code and it takes them through everything, they can enroll right there. And if it works out and they’re approved and they enter then they’ve already got our daycare app, which is how we communicate,” she said.
The center is unable to take children younger than two and a half, older than five, or with physical disabilities.
Little Angels Director, Jenna Adams, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Early Childhood education through Longwood University and expects to graduate next spring. She said she realized a need for a learning center in the community after working in the public schools.
“I worked in Henry County for a year, and I worked with kindergarteners mainly, and just seeing that gap, I guess from COVID, of stuff when they were coming in, stuff like their name, that they could’ve been worked with more at home,” she said.
Jenna Adams then got the idea to open up Little Angels to bridge this educational gap. She hopes to teach children the basics and give them a head start before school.
“I was like, ‘This is something I can do for my community. I could start them off when they’re young and by the time they get into school it’ll be a world of difference,'” she said. ” So that’s why we’re kind of focusing on calling it more of a learning center rather than just a daycare, because we’re going to actually be here learning.”
According to Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church pastor Susan Spangenberg, though, this is not a new dream for Jenna Adams. It is one she has had since childhood.
“Jenna also shared that this dream, or the sculpting of this dream, began when she was very young. She’s had just countless teaching experiences. We’re very confident in her.”
Spangenberg said the church displayed unanimous interest in hosting it.
“We feel it’s a God thing, that He brought us all together. Our people voted unanimously to do this, so we were very excited,” she said.
“We look forward to the partnership, look forward to the programs that Little Angels might do that we might be a part of and just grateful to be able to provide, just with our building, this ministry to our community.” Spangenberg said. ” It is so needed, particularly with a Christian viewpoint. So, we’re so grateful for Jenna and Cindy and those who will teach with them.”
Cindy Adams said the process for starting up the learning center was not an easy one. According to her, setting up a daycare is now done through the Department of Education as opposed to Social Services.
“They’re working slowly to have all daycares on the same page in that everyone will be licensed the same way. Religiously exempt daycares, in a couple of years, will probably be no more,” she said. “The Department of Education took it over because they want the same curriculum and the same type of teaching followed from preschool all the way up.”
However, despite the difficulties, Cindy Adams said the church and other daycares in the area have been supportive.
“Other daycares around here have been great. They found out through Facebook and word of mouth, and we had several to contact us, a lady with the YMCA and she said, ‘If I get anybody on my waiting list, I’ll send them to you.’ Kings Academy is doing the same thing,” she said.
Jenna Adams said she has big goals for Little Angels, both short term and long term.
“Short term, honestly, getting kids in here, getting word out to the community, things like that. Just improving on our business and getting kids actually in here,” she said.
Jenna Adams hopes that she and the learning center can leave a lasting impact on the children who come through.
“Long term, I want to see them, I want to hear good things from their teachers, as they’re growing up saying… ‘Hey, I could tell which kids came to you,’ and especially being able to teach about Christian values and things like that, I just really hope that that stays with them as they grow up.”
Those interested in enrolling in the program can contact either Cindy Adams at (276) 618-4834 or Jenna Adams at (276)224-8401 or email at littleangelsbassett@gmail.com.
