Meet them!
Beth Hepler is the Director.
Go to her staff page to learn
more about her. (If this
picture seems outdated, it
is because it was her high
school senior picture!)
She has been employed with
us since summer of 2006.
Beth teaches in the
preschool program, also.
Jessica Smith works in the
infant room of The Children's
Center. Parents value her
skill with their infants!
Jessica has been employed by
The Children's Center since
April 2008.
Cathy Belcher is a 20-year
veteran of our early childhood
program! She works in the
toddler room, and during the
summer months directs the
school-age program. Cathy is
an excellent caregiver and
has the confidence of many
parents whose children have
been in her care!
Jamie Parrish works with the
preschool. She worked
in early childhood in the
Columbia area before moving
to Marlboro County.
Jamie has a wonderful manner
with this age group, and is a
skilled caregiver.
Kacey Branch is our
afternoon caregiver with the
infants, and has been
employed with The Children's
Center since June 2007.
Kasey is a high school senior
and plans to attend college
in the fall.
Barbara Clay is our valued
cook and all-around helper!
Barbara is always ready to
lend a helping hand wherever
she is needed. A valuable
team member, Barbara
completes our regular staff.
Other team members are substitutes who
fill in when a regular employee cannot be at
work.
The Children's Center is the early childhood ministry of First UMC. It is comprised of a day care program, and half-day preschool.
The Children's Center is under the direction of Mrs. Beth Hepler. It is housed in all-new, state-of-the-art facilities on the first floor of the FUMC Christian Education Building. These facilities are second to none in the city of Bennettsville!
Our Day Care cares for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. We have an after-school program during the school year, and a school-age program during summer months and school holiday times. Applications for enlisting your child may be placed any time. Call or email The Children's Center at 843.479.8731 for information.
The Preschool program has a 2-year old class, and a 3- and 4-year old class. It operates from September through May. Call or email The Children's Center for information.
Here is some of the basic information:
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Tuition: Infant (6 weeks-12 months) - $90.00/week; Toddlers (12 to 24 months), $85.00/week; Ages 2-5 (preschool ages), $80.00/week. Other fees are available in the Handbook.
Preschool: More information is coming to the website soon. Call now for information; space is very limited.
AN OPEN LETTER
Dear FUMCC,
First, let me begin by saying thank-you for the pains that you go through to provide the wonderful service of your daycare and school to parents like myself. It is truly a blessing to be able to send my child to school in a safe, secure and healthy environment like the one I find day after day at First United Methodist Church. I am sure it is not always easy or maybe even practical to keep doing what you are doing but I am glad that you do.
Second, let me commend your staff. They are so dedicated to the children that I am often amazed at them. They are so loving, caring and nurturing to the children that I never hesitate to leave my child, even if she is a little upset, because I know that she is in God's hands when she is with your staff. I don't know how they do it, all day, every day, but I am thankful that they are able to do it.
This brings me to the main reason for writing this letter as this is something that I don't do very often. Your staff took the children on a field trip to the post office to buy stamps so the children could mail their very own, homemade valentines to their special people. I can't imagine the grit and determination that they had to have to pull this off with 3 and 4 year old children. God bless them!!! My child was absolutely ecstatic when she returned. I am not sure if the cards, the buying of the stamps at the post office like a grown up or the actual bus ride was the highlight but regardless, it was phenomenal.
Thank you so much for loving and caring for these children of God. It takes special people to do this so well. Remember, many of these children spend more time with your staff than they do their own parents and families. I pray that God will continue to bless your ministry in every way possible. I pray for your school and staff that God will use them to further His kingdom. The ultimate goal for all of us is to serve God. Let's keep doing what God would have us do. And Jesus said, "let the little children come to me."
Thanks again,
/s/ Mary Alice Burroughs, 25 February 2009