Is your preschool a mission opportunity?

Some preschools have a fundraising role in the life of the church next door but it is more faithful and more fruitful when they have a mission role – just like the church.

The preschool on the St Thomas' property was in able hands up until 1995 but there was no expectation that there would be any more than lessons for children and rent for the church.

From 1995 to 2005 it was in Christian hands but still no clear and united mission with St Thomas'. The centre provided long day care for children two years or older but the Christian component was unstated and governed in the final analysis by DOCS.

In 2005 we set about establishing a specifically Christian preschool. We gave notice that the licence would expire and we began to put feelers out for a Director who would operate a specifically Christian preschool.

The challenges to overcome were:
(a) Economic – this was not going to be a big financial winner
(b) Size – our building is a small facility and not likely to become bigger
(c) Age restriction – by seeking children 2 or older we ruled out the demand for baby care
(d) Time and effort – able people were involved in the legal, practical and financial decisions

But the advantages were greater:
(a) Agreed aims – the partnership of the church and the preschool working to promote faith in Jesus
(b) Incorporation – setting up a separate legal entity with a separate board and no co-mingling of funds
(c) Supremely the Christian input/syllabus – allowing up-front prayer and teaching as part and parcel of involvement
(d) Board – made up of like-minded and able members to support the Director and expand the ideas for mission.

We set up an interim management committee to prepare a new constitution that was ratified by the Parish Council in late 2004. Insurance and licensing of the facility soon followed.

In God's goodness we had the backup of the church for the initial costing, then a clear and keen Christian Director was found. We have tried to find – and been blessed with - real Christian staff, wise and varied skills in the Board members and involvement from the staff at the church on an occasional visiting basis.

Three years down the track we have been able to pay back all debts to the church, resist all fundraising extras placed on parents, and improve continually the curriculum for its Christian content.

We are thinking through the percentages of Christian families so that there is support within the parents' group but also sufficient welcome to those outside the churches. Each term the children and parents come to the church for a special service which involves them and we are beginning to build relationships across the church and preschool families.

The board meets for an hour every 6-8 weeks and reviews all the needs and opportunities. We recognise that some churches have the resources to do this more easily than others but want to testify to God's provision as we have sought – slowly but surely – to have a preschool that seeks first His Kingdom. We recommend the effort wholeheartedly.

For more information please contact St Thomas' at marlene.meynert@st-thomas.org.au

Simon Manchester
October 2007

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