Programs

Learn about our child-care programs for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Each program combines compassionate care with developmentally appropriate play and learning activities, creating a safe and structured environment for kids to grow and thrive. Children are nurtured to develop their whole selves, and are encouraged to care for others in accordance with Christian values and teachings. Our hours of operation are 5:30am – 6:00pm, Monday – Friday.

Infant Program

6 weeks – 2 years

For our youngest children, staff provide highly individualized care. Each infant has their own eating and sleeping schedule, designed in close consultation with their parents. Staff provide responsive caregiving to build attachments with each child, while encouraging them to safely explore their environment. Age-appropriate materials and activities enable children to develop their five senses and build fine and gross motor skills at their own pace. 

Teacher-to-child-ratio: 1:4

Toddler Program

2 years - 3 years

Play is the name of the game in our toddler program. Children experience many different types of play, which helps to promote language and cognitive development, problem-solving skills, fine and gross motor skill development, and foster creativity and imagination. Toddlers are given the support they need to develop independently, while also learning how to effectively socialize and interact with their peers.

Teacher-to-child-ratio: 1:7

Preschool Program

3 years – 5 years

In our preschool program, children develop the skills they need to be prepared for kindergarten. A combination of structured activities and open play helps children build confidence and cultivate a love of learning. Social and emotional development is a key focus at this stage, as children gain tools to act with empathy and consider the feelings of others, while also learning how to listen carefully and follow directions.

Teacher-to-child-ratio: 1:10

School-Age Program

5 years – 12 years

For children ages 5-12, our school-age program provides care before and after the school day, during school breaks, on some minor holidays, and on early release and delayed start days. Children in this program will have time to complete homework assignments and unwind from the long school day with indoor and outdoor play, as well as quiet and independent free time. Transportation to and from Garner-Hayfield-Ventura (GHV) Elementary School is provided.

Teacher-to-child-ratio: 1:15

Summer Care Program

5 years – 12 years

Our summer care program is available for children who have completed kindergarten up to 12 years of age. Students will spend warm summer days in a safe and structured environment, while participating in a variety of fun and stimulating recreational activities. We regularly utilize local community resources, taking trips to local parks, the community pool and splash pad, and the zoo and science center.

Teacher-to-child-ratio: 1:15

Transportation

Preschool and school-aged children who attend Garner-Hayfield-Ventura (GHV) Schools are provided transportation to and from school at no extra cost. In addition, preschool-aged children attending Little Lambs Preschool are also offered transportation to and from preschool at no cost.

Food Service

An important part of nurturing the whole child is providing healthy food. We offer nutritious meals to students, including breakfast, lunch, and morning and afternoon snacks. All meals are made on site and are created using USDA guidelines to adhere to Child Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards. A 4-week menu is posted in the Center, and the cost of meals is included in the price of tuition.

For the safety of all our children, we do not allow parents to provide their own food. We do our best to accommodate any documented dietary restrictions, including food allergies and religious beliefs. If a special diet is required for your child, please speak to our Director about supplying the necessary food.

GC4 participates in the Child Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federal program that provides meal reimbursements for qualifying families. We are proud to be a part of this program that contributes to the wellness, healthy growth and development of children and adults in the United States. Please visit the USDA to learn more about CACFP.

IQ4K Rating

We are proud to participate in Iowa’s IQ4K® system.

Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K®) is Iowa’s new Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). It is a tool used to support child-care providers licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in delivering quality care that meets certain safety and educational standards. IQ4K® applies to a wide range of child-care providers, including child care centers and preschools, registered child development homes, and programs operating under the authority of an accredited school district or nonpublic school. 

IQ4K® outlines five levels of quality called “building blocks.” Programs can achieve these levels and improve by implementing Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) measures. Through this process, IQ4K® enables programs to assess their current grade across all areas of programming and devise a structured plan to increase the overall level of program quality. Participation in IQ4K® not only improves quality, but also gives programs the opportunity to earn bonuses for future growth opportunities.