I started as a Board member for the UCUCC Child Care Programs in 2007, after I retired from my job in schools. I had been a teacher, elementary school Principal, and Human Resource Director. Elementary Principal was my favorite job, because I could watch kids grow and mature over the years they were in our school. Observing kindergarten children in school, there was a noticeable difference in the level of “readiness” for school that kids brought with them. It was primarily social and emotional skills (actually less important was academic skill). Those children that had been to quality pre-schools, or had quality experiences at home or in other small groups. They had learned social skills and language skills like following directions, listening to the adult in a group setting, being able to ignore or appropriately stop another child who was bothering them, or asking to join a group game on the playground. Since I saw firsthand the difference early childhood education has on kids entering kindergarten, I joined the UCUCC Child Care Board have some influence in keeping these programs “high quality.”

I was also attracted to the fact that the programs provided tuition scholarships to children whose family could not afford full tuition. Child care is expensive, and quality child care costs more than some single parents and working families can afford. I know the school’s commitment to scholarships and keeping tuition low (while still paying teachers justly) would not be possible without the support of the church, financially and in granting use of the space and playground. Increasing equity and access to high quality preschool is something I’m passionate about, and deeply resonates with my belief in justice and equality.

A challenge that I’ve seen Trettin overcome is the “moving and combining” of the Programs. When I started, Trettin Drop-In Preschool was completely separate from the Child Learning and Care Center. Trettin was downstairs on the first floor, and the Child Care Center was upstairs. Very little was shared between the two; not teachers, or curriculum, or resources. Actually, there was a feeling of “competition for resources” between the two. Having the two programs “together” has eliminated that, with the new name Trettin Early Learning Center.

One of the biggest challenges was the Covid virus. Many (most?) child care programs closed during the pandemic, but we did not! After an initial two weeks of closure to regroup and figure out how to work with the Covid regulations and needs, the Trettin Early Learning Center opened and stayed open. Everyone—teachers and children—learned how to wear masks, wipe/clean everything frequently. We built “dividers” to put on classroom tables when children were eating lunches. I’m proud that we were able to figure out how to keep the programs open, and that the church supported that. It was difficult, but we did make it through. Financially those were difficult times also. Many of the changes that started because of Covid have actually been continued with positive results for the school.

The UCUCC child care programs are important to me because they are a daily, specific, visible, example of putting our mission of service into action. We “care for each other in trials of the spirit and in times of joy” in so many ways at this church, and Trettin Early Learning Center is such a meaningful example of these values. Parents have told me that their child “didn’t like very much” a previous program that they had attended before switching to our programs, but that the child is now very happy. I vividly remember one single mom who told me that since her child started at Trettin, she was able to go back to work without her child being in tears every morning. It’s inspiring to be contributing to children’s education at such a critical time of their social and emotional development! I love that feeling of making a difference in the lives of these children and their families. Watching the teachers, helpers, and administrators in the programs gives me hope and fills me with gratitude. Being a member of the board is a tangible way that I live out my values and take action informed by my faith. It is a joy to give back to the community in this way.

~Liz Wells