WE are Hiring - Learning Center Director - Click HERE

We still have slots available for preschool, 3's and 4's click here

Vision Statement

The vision of the Learning Center at First Baptist Church is to work with families to enhance the development of young children, to provide support while working in partnership with like-minded organizations in our community, and to develop the best practices for teaching and ministering to young children and families. This vision will continue to guide our program's growth and development.

Welcome

We are so pleased that you have taken a moment to find out more about the opportunities available at the First Baptist Learning Center. Our Christian-based preschool classes are accredited through Cognia. The Center's staff recognizes the precious gift of babies and children and takes seriously the responsibility to care for and demonstrate God's love to the families in Madison County. It is our prayer that it is evident how much we love children and to provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment in which our families can experience God's amazing love.
The Learning Center utilizes Bible-based, age-appropriate curriculum in our classrooms. Our purpose is to provide a safe environment that promotes the healthy, age-appropriate, development of the whole child. Our program provides various hands-on, child-centered, experiences that guide and encourage cognitive, motor, social, emotional and spiritual growth. With the knowledge and understanding that children progress at different rates we encourage an individualized approach to classroom activities and structure. In addition, the ministry of the church is extended through the Learning Center in order to strengthen and provide support to the family as a unit.

"He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.’ And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.”    
Mark 10:14-16 (NIV)
The Learning Center is governed by the First Baptist Church (FBC) Learning Center Council which consists of the Learning Center Program Director, Preschool/Children Ministry Director, one Learning Center Teacher, two Learning Center parent and six FBC church members. The Council meets periodically to discuss and evaluate the center's needs, review progress of set goals, and assist the ministry by guidance and support to teachers and parents.
Please feel free to contact The Learning Center at 859.623.4028, ext. 211 with any questions or come by for a tour of our facilities.
We look forward to meeting you and your family soon.
             Registration for Fall 2023
Early Preschool must be 2 by August 1st, 2023
Three Year Old Preschool must be 3 by August 1st, 2023
Four Year Old Preschool must be 4 by August 1st, 2023
                                                                           
Current families can register on Monday, February 13th at 9:30 am. In person at the welcome center.  First come first served on your days of preference for attendance.  Each student will bring home a registration packet February 1st.
Church member registration will begin on Tuesday, February 21nd at 9:30 am at the church welcome center.
Community member registration will begin on Thursday, March 2nd at 5:30 – 7:00 pm.  On site at the covered entrance to welcome center.
*You will need to provide a copy of your child’s up to date immunization record, health insurance card, and completed registration forms. 

The registration fee is non-refundable and is $175 for the first child and $100 for each sibling in form of cash or check.  
Registration Forms will be available on February 1st.

Email Ms. DeLee with any questions that you might have at delee.collier@fbcrichmondky.church

The Learning Center offers Three Cognia Accredited Programs

Early Preschool for 2's

Monday/Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - Noon
or
Tuesday/Thursday 9:00 a.m. - Noon

Preschool for 3's & 4's

Monday/Wednesday 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
or
Tuesday/Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
or
Monday/Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Fees, Tuition, and Late Fees  2023-2024
Registration Fee is $175 for preschool,  due at the time of enrollment.
These fees are non-refundable. There is a supply fee of $50 . The supply fee is due the first week of school .
Tuition:   2's - $175 per month; Sept.-May            
  3's & 4's: (2-day) - $240 per month; Sept.-May
              3's & 4's: (4-day) - $360 per month; Sept.-May
All tuition is due by the 1st of each month.
A $25 late fee will be assessed after the 8th of each month.
Note:  Multiple siblings’ discounts are available.

The Learning Center Earns  Kentucky All Stars - 5 Star Certificate - March 24, 2023

Documents and calendars

Parent Orientation (may 8) form
2022-2023 Calendar
2023-2024 CAlendar
Parent Handbook
2023 Agreement & Financial Commitment Form
2023-2024 Registration Dates
Parent Handbook Agreement Form
Payment Withdraw Request
2023-2024 Registration Form
Staff to Child Ratios

Meet the Learning Center Staff

DeLee Farley Collier

Director
DeLee started her journey at First Baptist Church Learning Center in 2007 as a mother of a preschool student. She loved the program so much at that she joined as an assistant teacher in 2008. In 2009 she took the lead three year old teacher position and in 2015 became the director of The Learning Center. She loves getting to know the families and students that she serves within Madison and surrounding counties.
DeLee has a CDA in pre-school and holds the Kentucky Director’s Credential; both obtained through Morehead State University.
DeLee has an associates of applied science from Lexington Community College
In her free time she enjoys spending time with her three sons Joshua, Colton, and Kaden. She loves hiking, reading, and traveling.

Kathy York

Lead Teacher Four Year Olds
Kathy has served in The Learning Center ministry since it began 15 years ago. She graduated as a math teacher before moving from Oxford, England to Richmond, KY. with her family in 2004. Now that her two grown children have flown the nest, she and her husband Mike give their aging cat lots of attention! Kathy loves Jesus, chocolate, reading, puzzles and visiting family in England.

Ashley Ratcliff

Assistant Four Year Olds
Ashley has been with The Learning Center for 4 years giving her a total of 20 years in early childhood education. She has lived in Richmond almost 16 years with her husband and three kids (Griffin-25, Logan-21, and Rowan-13). She is a coffee drinker and loves ice cream.

Brittany Phelps

Lead Teacher Four Year Olds
Brittany has been at The Learning Center off and on since 2013 as a lead 4 year old teacher. She was able to be a stay at home mom with her children as well during that time. She is excited to be back!
Brittany has a bachelors degree in elementary education as well as a masters degree in early childhood special education, both from Eastern Kentucky University. She also has a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate from International Open Academy. Brittany has also taught students from all over the world online since 2019 and is also currently an online curriculum developer and teacher trainer for Cherry Learning Center based out of New Jersey.
During her free time, you will find Brittany exercising at the gym, spending time with her husband, Matt and her boys, Rowan and Oaklen. She also enjoys shopping, crafting and traveling when she can.

Melanie Ward

Assistant Four Year Olds
Melanie graduated from EKU with a Bachelor’s in Early Elementary Education K-4.  She has been an assistant teacher at The Learning Center for the last 4 years. Melanie taught Kindergarten for 4 years before coming to The Learning Center.

Linda Parke

Substitute Teacher
Linda has been at the Learning Center for 14 years as an assistant teacher and now as a substitute.  She has been a member of FBC for 30 years.  She has two grown children, Ashley and Daniel and one grandson.

Brittany Newland

Learning Center Floater
This is Brittany’s first year at the Learning Center. She graduated from EKU with a bachelors degree in Child and Family Studies. She was a stay at home mom to her 4 children, Landon (8), Lexi (6), Levi (3) and Lucas (1). In her free time she enjoys spending time with her kids and watching sports.

The Learning Center

Learning Center 
The vision of the Learning Center at First Baptist Church is to work with families to enhance the development of young children, to provide support while working in partnership with like-minded organizations in our community, and to develop the best practices for teaching and ministering to young children and families. This vision will continue to guide our program's growth and development.

Christy Richardson

Lead Teacher Three Year Olds
Christy has been employed at The Learning Center for 3 years.
 Worked for 4 years prior in Children's Ministry at First Baptist Church.
Bachelors Degree in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Christy loves to vegetable and flower garden and go to the beach. Her love for the beach comes from growing up in South Florida

Jessica Stolz

Lead Teacher Three Year Olds
Jessica has served 6 total years at The Learning Center
5 of which she has been a lead teacher.
She holds a Commonwealth of Kentucky Credential.
Jessica is married to her husband Jason and they have
2 daughters Makayla age 14 and Skyler age 9
Jessica enjoys watching her girls play ball.
Her favorite drink is a cherry coke.

Jessica Mink

Assistant Three Year Olds
Jessica has worked at The Learning Center for7 years.
She is working toward earning her CDA in preschool.
In her spare time Jessica enjoys going on hikes and walks at Lake Reba.

Melanie Roden

Assistant Three Year Olds
Learning Center Assistant, 3 yr old class
Member of FBC 18 years
Hobbies- Time with my family, Humane Society volunteer, Gardening, Canning, Concerts

Felicia Delph

Lead Two Year Olds
Felicia has been employed at The Learning Center for almost 3 years.
She is currently finishing her CDA at
Morehead State University.
She is the proud mom of two boys.
When not at work you can find her either on a ball field or camping!

Amy Conley

Assistant Two Year Olds
Amy graduated with an associate degree in science at EKU. She worked in the Madison County School District for fifteen years and this will be her first year at The Learning Center.
Amy attends Red House Baptist Church with her husband, Chris of 23 years and her twenty year old daughter, Ashton and seventeen year old daughter, Triston. Chris and Amy met at Red House when they were just babies!

Sue Boggs

Substitute Teacher
Sue has been employed at The Learning Center for 15 years. She has 20 years of experience working with preschool aged children.
Sue is married to Basil and they have two adult children Andrew who works at Clark Moores Middle School and Callie who is graduating in May from EKU with a BS in Biology.
Sue grew up riding horses and motorcycles.

Rachel Harrison

Learning Center Floater
Rachel was previously a lead teacher at the Learning Center for 4 years before taking time off to become a full-time mom to Eli (now 4) and Lydia (1). She is excited to return as a substitute this year! In her free time she enjoys reading, baking, volunteering at her church, and watching college sports.