St. Michael the Archangel Early Elementary - Infants and Toddlers
Questions? Need more information?
Contact: Amanda Welton
Phone number: 734-241-3378 or 734-241-3923 ext. 33
E-mail: welton@monroecatholicschools.com
kreynolds@monroecatholicschools.com
Address: 510 W. Front St. Monroe, MI 48161
Infants- 6 weeks to 12 months
All of our children are important to us, but we will go out of our way to make our infants experience at the St. Michael campus a warm and homey one. It is our goal to make babies first time away from home wonderful for both mother and child. Each baby is on their own personal schedule. They sleep when they are tired, eat when they are hungry, and are held and given plenty of tummy time and activities when they are ready to play. Your infant will be provided with age appropriate social, emotional, physical and intellectual activities. We want our babies to experience language from the beginning with soft music, lots of storybooks, and especially teacher-child interaction. Parents are welcome to visit the classroom anytime during the work day to feed and rock their babies and spend as much time as they would like before returning back to their busy work day.
Mobile Children- 12 months to 24 months
When an infant begins to walk, switches to one nap a day, begins to be able to handle finger foods, and is showing signs of readiness he/she will transition into our mobile room. This room is for our children typically 12 months to 24 months age, however, a child may move out to the toddler room sooner or stay in the mobile room longer depending on their developmental level. We assess each child around 18 months of age and again at 24 months. Once in the mobile room, the children follow a more standardized schedule. They will have circle time with stories and songs. There will be daily activities to develop and challenge their cognitive, as well as physical skills. They will go outside every day and have a chance to run, climb, and play. We document all of our children’s activities on our daily sheets. We ask that you bring in a family picture or pictures of your family. The pictures will be placed on the wall so that they can look at them throughout the day which allows us to talk about families and it also shows diversity to the other children. There will be a lead teacher in your child’s classroom. All the teachers work together to ensure safety and supervision of children at all times while meeting the physical demands of their position.
Young Toddlers – 18/24 months to 29 months+
The classrooms are divided developmentally, rather than chronologically. When an infant begins to walk, switches to one nap a day, begins to be able to handle finger foods, and is showing signs of readiness he/she will move into our toddler class. As every child develops on his/her own schedule, this move may occur anytime between one year and eighteen months. Once in the toddler classroom, the children follow a more standardized schedule. They will have circle time with stories and songs. There will be daily activities to develop and challenge their cognitive, as well as physical skills. They will begin to socialize and interact with the other children in the class. They will go outside every day and have a chance to run, climb, and play!
By two-years old our tots are busy people, learning new skills every day. During this time you will see a child’s vocabulary grow by leaps and bounds. They no longer play alongside their friends, but interact directly with them. Their imagination takes over and they can be royalty one moment and the driver of a big yellow school bus the next!
Older Toddlers - 29 months +
In our older toddler classroom, we provide a safe and nurturing environment that encourages children’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. Our program is for children ages 2 ½ to 3 years old and is designed to help prepare your child for preschool. We work together to design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum according to the guidelines established by our school. The children will have a circle time where they will talk about the weather, the day of the week, read a story and sing songs. They will also begin to learn letter and number recognition. The children are also encouraged to participate in small group activities and lots of arts and crafts. At this age, the children play directly with each other. The teachers work with the children with problem solving techniques when issues arise. The children also have the chance every day to go outside to run, climb, and play! We document all of our children’s activities on our daily sheets.
And let’s not forget potty training at two years old. Almost all girls and a large majority of boys are toilet trained by the time they turn three. We ask that you bring several changes of clothes, as we know that accidents happen. Included in this packet is a list of things that your child will need while in our care. Please make sure everything is labeled with your child’s name.
3 year / 4 year old Preschool Latchkey BEFORE OR AFTER preschool class
MCES is proud to offer extended care services for our 3 and 4 year old preschoolers. Our program is another way of meeting the additional needs of our parents and to keep the children in a safe and happy environment. Only currently enrolled MCES preschool students are eligible to use our childcare.
Contact: Amanda Welton
Phone number: 734-241-3378 or 734-241-3923 ext. 33
E-mail: welton@monroecatholicschools.com
kreynolds@monroecatholicschools.com
Address: 510 W. Front St. Monroe, MI 48161
Infants- 6 weeks to 12 months
All of our children are important to us, but we will go out of our way to make our infants experience at the St. Michael campus a warm and homey one. It is our goal to make babies first time away from home wonderful for both mother and child. Each baby is on their own personal schedule. They sleep when they are tired, eat when they are hungry, and are held and given plenty of tummy time and activities when they are ready to play. Your infant will be provided with age appropriate social, emotional, physical and intellectual activities. We want our babies to experience language from the beginning with soft music, lots of storybooks, and especially teacher-child interaction. Parents are welcome to visit the classroom anytime during the work day to feed and rock their babies and spend as much time as they would like before returning back to their busy work day.
Mobile Children- 12 months to 24 months
When an infant begins to walk, switches to one nap a day, begins to be able to handle finger foods, and is showing signs of readiness he/she will transition into our mobile room. This room is for our children typically 12 months to 24 months age, however, a child may move out to the toddler room sooner or stay in the mobile room longer depending on their developmental level. We assess each child around 18 months of age and again at 24 months. Once in the mobile room, the children follow a more standardized schedule. They will have circle time with stories and songs. There will be daily activities to develop and challenge their cognitive, as well as physical skills. They will go outside every day and have a chance to run, climb, and play. We document all of our children’s activities on our daily sheets. We ask that you bring in a family picture or pictures of your family. The pictures will be placed on the wall so that they can look at them throughout the day which allows us to talk about families and it also shows diversity to the other children. There will be a lead teacher in your child’s classroom. All the teachers work together to ensure safety and supervision of children at all times while meeting the physical demands of their position.
Young Toddlers – 18/24 months to 29 months+
The classrooms are divided developmentally, rather than chronologically. When an infant begins to walk, switches to one nap a day, begins to be able to handle finger foods, and is showing signs of readiness he/she will move into our toddler class. As every child develops on his/her own schedule, this move may occur anytime between one year and eighteen months. Once in the toddler classroom, the children follow a more standardized schedule. They will have circle time with stories and songs. There will be daily activities to develop and challenge their cognitive, as well as physical skills. They will begin to socialize and interact with the other children in the class. They will go outside every day and have a chance to run, climb, and play!
By two-years old our tots are busy people, learning new skills every day. During this time you will see a child’s vocabulary grow by leaps and bounds. They no longer play alongside their friends, but interact directly with them. Their imagination takes over and they can be royalty one moment and the driver of a big yellow school bus the next!
Older Toddlers - 29 months +
In our older toddler classroom, we provide a safe and nurturing environment that encourages children’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. Our program is for children ages 2 ½ to 3 years old and is designed to help prepare your child for preschool. We work together to design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum according to the guidelines established by our school. The children will have a circle time where they will talk about the weather, the day of the week, read a story and sing songs. They will also begin to learn letter and number recognition. The children are also encouraged to participate in small group activities and lots of arts and crafts. At this age, the children play directly with each other. The teachers work with the children with problem solving techniques when issues arise. The children also have the chance every day to go outside to run, climb, and play! We document all of our children’s activities on our daily sheets.
And let’s not forget potty training at two years old. Almost all girls and a large majority of boys are toilet trained by the time they turn three. We ask that you bring several changes of clothes, as we know that accidents happen. Included in this packet is a list of things that your child will need while in our care. Please make sure everything is labeled with your child’s name.
3 year / 4 year old Preschool Latchkey BEFORE OR AFTER preschool class
MCES is proud to offer extended care services for our 3 and 4 year old preschoolers. Our program is another way of meeting the additional needs of our parents and to keep the children in a safe and happy environment. Only currently enrolled MCES preschool students are eligible to use our childcare.
Meet our team
Director
Mrs. Amanda Welton is the director of early childhood programs at the St. Michael's campus. She currently lives in the city of Luna Pier with her husband Derrick and dog Chase. She is a graduate of St. Michael grade school and Ida High School. She attended Monroe County Community College and continued her education at The University of Toledo, where she obtained her bachelor degree in Early Childhood Development. In May of 2017, she completed the graduate program at the University of Toledo to obtain her Master of Education degree with a focus in Early Childhood Education. She worked at the University during her graduate program as an assistant to help the undergraduate students with their program. She began her career in early childhood education working at the childcare center at Monroe County Community College for five years. Before becoming director, she had been a substitute childcare teacher here at St. Michael Campus.
Assistant Director
Mrs. Kimberly Reynolds joined MCES as our young toddler lead teacher in December of 2014. She has had many years of experience working with children. Miss Kim was the assistant director for Monroe County Community College childcare program for almost ten years while she attended MCCC to receive her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood development. She has two daughters of her own, Morgan and Carlie along with three step-children Eric, Aiden, and Averi.
In the INFANT classroom:
Ms. Nadine Garcia, known to most as “Nini” has been with MCES since September, 2012. Nini came to us after working 10 years at the Mercy Memorial Hospital Day Care. She has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood from Monroe County Community College and is the mother of two teenage children. Nini is one of the friendly faces on hand for parent pick up in the afternoons.
Miss Katie Kull joined MCES in the fall of 2018. Katie enjoys working with our youngest children in our program.
Miss Julia Navarre joined the childcare programs in the fall of 2016. Miss Julia has worked with children of all ages. She began working at MCES with our latchkey and preschool age children and is currently working in our infant and toddler classrooms.
In the MOBILE classroom:
Mrs. Miriam LaBeau came to work for us in September, 2013. She brings a wealth of knowledge of child development and is attending MCCC for a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has a son and daughter who both attended MCES, St. Mary’s Catholic Central, and now the University of Michigan. Ms. LaBeau recently moved into the role of lead teacher of our one year old classroom.
Miss Sherry Jones is an assistant teacher in the mobile room. She has been an amazing asset to our program since joining us in October 2015. Her loving and caring heart really goes out to each child that she cares for. Miss Sherry is one of our early morning staff members that you will drop off to.
Miss Marina Garcia recently joined MCES as a substitute teacher and is currently attending Monroe County Community College to obtain her associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Marina has taken on a part time position and has become a friendly face throughout our childcare center, preschool, and latchkey programs.
In the YOUNG TODDLER classroom:
Miss Kayla Bondie is our lead young toddler room teacher. She joined our young toddler room in November, 2014. Miss Kayla has been our second in command for the past two years. She is attending college to study Early Childhood Development and is excited to put her knowledge to work in our program. Miss Kayla will be available for parent pick up in the evenings.
Miss Lynnette Seger joined our program in June 2016. Ms. Netty is coming to us after having several years of experience in a day care setting. She has such a passion for Christ and a love for nurturing and caring for children. Ms. Netty will be the friendly face you see at drop off each morning.
Ms. Tamicka Thomas is working in our young toddler classroom and will become a familiar face at pick up. Miss “Mimi” has had many years of experience working in infant and toddler programs. She has also worked with preschool and school age children.
Miss Samantha Estill joined MCES in the fall of 2018. Sam is finishing up her associate degree from Monroe County Community College in Early Childhood Development and plans to transfer to a University to continue her education. Sam has a passion for working with children and they adore her!
In the OLDER TODDLER classroom:
Ms. Amanda Keck is the lead teacher for the Older Toddler classroom. She joined our program in August 2016. Ms. Amanda has several years of experience working in a childcare center for her church in Toledo, OH. She is bringing a wealth of knowledge of children, along with her passion for Christ. Her daughter is attending MCES as well.
The following caregivers work in all classrooms:
Mrs. Kristie Vore joined our team in August 2016. She has taken on the lead in our kitchen preparing meals and partnering with Mrs. Welton to create the menu for the children. Mrs. Kristie also helps out when needed in all of the classrooms within the program. Mrs. Kristie operated her own home day care for 20 years.
In our PRESCHOOL LATCHKEY classrooms:
Mr. Josten Rios has been a part of our team since June 2014. He currently attends MCCC and works mainly in our preschool latchkey program but will occasionally help out in other areas of our program.
Miss Chelsea Laramie joined our program in August 2016. She is currently going to school at Eastern Michigan University for Early Childhood Education. With her bubbly personality, she has been great working in all of our classrooms. She spends most of her time with our preschoolers.
Miss Taylor Pfotenhauer joined MCES in the fall of 2018. She enjoys working with children and is a lifeguard on the weekends at Splash Universe.
Miss Melinda Fore recently joined MCES when she moved from North Carolina. Miss Melinda has worked with children of all ages, from infancy through school age. Melinda has four grown children of her own and five grandchildren between the ages of 2 and 16.
In our LATCHKEY classroom:
Mrs. Theresa Hatcher has been with us since 2006, primarily as our latchkey lead teacher. She is both our resident “opener” and “closer” and has assisted with our preschool childcare program as well. She is a mother of three and grandmother.
Mr. Craig McMahon helps out in our school age after school program at the St. Michael Campus. He is one of MCES's fourth grade teachers and is enjoying his first year at MCES.
Mrs. Jennie Berns joined MCES in the fall of 2016. Jennie help start the St. Mary's Latchkey in January of 2017. Jennie mainly works at our St. Mary's Campus for after school latchkey but is a familiar face throughout all three campus's. Jennie substitute teaches throughout the day and works at the St. Michael Campus during the summer camp program.
Director
Mrs. Amanda Welton is the director of early childhood programs at the St. Michael's campus. She currently lives in the city of Luna Pier with her husband Derrick and dog Chase. She is a graduate of St. Michael grade school and Ida High School. She attended Monroe County Community College and continued her education at The University of Toledo, where she obtained her bachelor degree in Early Childhood Development. In May of 2017, she completed the graduate program at the University of Toledo to obtain her Master of Education degree with a focus in Early Childhood Education. She worked at the University during her graduate program as an assistant to help the undergraduate students with their program. She began her career in early childhood education working at the childcare center at Monroe County Community College for five years. Before becoming director, she had been a substitute childcare teacher here at St. Michael Campus.
Assistant Director
Mrs. Kimberly Reynolds joined MCES as our young toddler lead teacher in December of 2014. She has had many years of experience working with children. Miss Kim was the assistant director for Monroe County Community College childcare program for almost ten years while she attended MCCC to receive her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood development. She has two daughters of her own, Morgan and Carlie along with three step-children Eric, Aiden, and Averi.
In the INFANT classroom:
Ms. Nadine Garcia, known to most as “Nini” has been with MCES since September, 2012. Nini came to us after working 10 years at the Mercy Memorial Hospital Day Care. She has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood from Monroe County Community College and is the mother of two teenage children. Nini is one of the friendly faces on hand for parent pick up in the afternoons.
Miss Katie Kull joined MCES in the fall of 2018. Katie enjoys working with our youngest children in our program.
Miss Julia Navarre joined the childcare programs in the fall of 2016. Miss Julia has worked with children of all ages. She began working at MCES with our latchkey and preschool age children and is currently working in our infant and toddler classrooms.
In the MOBILE classroom:
Mrs. Miriam LaBeau came to work for us in September, 2013. She brings a wealth of knowledge of child development and is attending MCCC for a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has a son and daughter who both attended MCES, St. Mary’s Catholic Central, and now the University of Michigan. Ms. LaBeau recently moved into the role of lead teacher of our one year old classroom.
Miss Sherry Jones is an assistant teacher in the mobile room. She has been an amazing asset to our program since joining us in October 2015. Her loving and caring heart really goes out to each child that she cares for. Miss Sherry is one of our early morning staff members that you will drop off to.
Miss Marina Garcia recently joined MCES as a substitute teacher and is currently attending Monroe County Community College to obtain her associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Marina has taken on a part time position and has become a friendly face throughout our childcare center, preschool, and latchkey programs.
In the YOUNG TODDLER classroom:
Miss Kayla Bondie is our lead young toddler room teacher. She joined our young toddler room in November, 2014. Miss Kayla has been our second in command for the past two years. She is attending college to study Early Childhood Development and is excited to put her knowledge to work in our program. Miss Kayla will be available for parent pick up in the evenings.
Miss Lynnette Seger joined our program in June 2016. Ms. Netty is coming to us after having several years of experience in a day care setting. She has such a passion for Christ and a love for nurturing and caring for children. Ms. Netty will be the friendly face you see at drop off each morning.
Ms. Tamicka Thomas is working in our young toddler classroom and will become a familiar face at pick up. Miss “Mimi” has had many years of experience working in infant and toddler programs. She has also worked with preschool and school age children.
Miss Samantha Estill joined MCES in the fall of 2018. Sam is finishing up her associate degree from Monroe County Community College in Early Childhood Development and plans to transfer to a University to continue her education. Sam has a passion for working with children and they adore her!
In the OLDER TODDLER classroom:
Ms. Amanda Keck is the lead teacher for the Older Toddler classroom. She joined our program in August 2016. Ms. Amanda has several years of experience working in a childcare center for her church in Toledo, OH. She is bringing a wealth of knowledge of children, along with her passion for Christ. Her daughter is attending MCES as well.
The following caregivers work in all classrooms:
Mrs. Kristie Vore joined our team in August 2016. She has taken on the lead in our kitchen preparing meals and partnering with Mrs. Welton to create the menu for the children. Mrs. Kristie also helps out when needed in all of the classrooms within the program. Mrs. Kristie operated her own home day care for 20 years.
In our PRESCHOOL LATCHKEY classrooms:
Mr. Josten Rios has been a part of our team since June 2014. He currently attends MCCC and works mainly in our preschool latchkey program but will occasionally help out in other areas of our program.
Miss Chelsea Laramie joined our program in August 2016. She is currently going to school at Eastern Michigan University for Early Childhood Education. With her bubbly personality, she has been great working in all of our classrooms. She spends most of her time with our preschoolers.
Miss Taylor Pfotenhauer joined MCES in the fall of 2018. She enjoys working with children and is a lifeguard on the weekends at Splash Universe.
Miss Melinda Fore recently joined MCES when she moved from North Carolina. Miss Melinda has worked with children of all ages, from infancy through school age. Melinda has four grown children of her own and five grandchildren between the ages of 2 and 16.
In our LATCHKEY classroom:
Mrs. Theresa Hatcher has been with us since 2006, primarily as our latchkey lead teacher. She is both our resident “opener” and “closer” and has assisted with our preschool childcare program as well. She is a mother of three and grandmother.
Mr. Craig McMahon helps out in our school age after school program at the St. Michael Campus. He is one of MCES's fourth grade teachers and is enjoying his first year at MCES.
Mrs. Jennie Berns joined MCES in the fall of 2016. Jennie help start the St. Mary's Latchkey in January of 2017. Jennie mainly works at our St. Mary's Campus for after school latchkey but is a familiar face throughout all three campus's. Jennie substitute teaches throughout the day and works at the St. Michael Campus during the summer camp program.
