Preschool mission

Waialae Baptist is opening a new preschool to fill what it sees as a community need

Waialae Baptist Church is opening a new preschool to draw young families into the church, said the Rev. Robert K. Miller.

The preschool, scheduled for an Aug. 4 opening, is a way to reach out to the community and stimulate the church's growth, Miller said, adding that other churches have found such programs to be successful.

"We believe there are many young families out there needing spiritual encouragement. Maybe they haven't been exposed to it and they need some place to go," he said.

Attendance has grown overall in his six years as pastor of Waialae Baptist, but as with a lot of churches across the nation, the numbers now have "plateaued," he said.

With some 200 regulars at Sunday service, the Kaimuki church has a good-size group of youth who might be leaving for college in the next few years, a factor in the members' decision to make such a "real big move," Miller said. The start-up cost for the preschool is close to $100,000, he added.

Or parents might not belong to any faith, but many might enroll their children in a Christian school because they at least "feel it's a safe environment for kids to be educated," Miller added.

"Our goal is to help the whole family in its spiritual life, not just the child ... (and) help parents be the best parents they can be."

If they need help with anything else in addition to child care -- such as counseling, parenting classes or special-event ceremonies -- the teachers and the church will be there to help, he said.

A child or family does not have to be Christian or become involved with the church to gain acceptance into the preschool. But parents should "know upfront" that a Christian curriculum, including prayer and stories of Jesus and his values, will be taught, he said.

The church at 1047 21st Ave. had to make renovations to its buildings, furnishings, fences and playground, and hire a staff of certified preschool teachers, but there is "no question that the preschool will pay for itself," Miller said. All the tuition will go back into running the program, not into church coffers, he said.

Danette Abe, a former preschool director with 15 years of experience in early childhood education, has been in charge of setting up the operation.

"I grew up in the community and at this church. I'm so glad that now I can come back and help my church," she said.

The closure of St. Timothy's preschool in June, as well as the lengthy waiting lists for most early education programs, causes Abe to believe Waialae Baptist would be filling a need for good child care, she said.

Applications are still being accepted for about a dozen open slots for 3- and 4-year-olds, who will be divided into two classes of 10 or 11 children to one full-time and one part-time teacher. Comparing Waialae's prices with others, Abe said, "our tuition is $700 for a full day" compared with the same monthly amount for a half-day at another popular program in the area.

Tuition can be paid in monthly installments, and there is also a nonrefundable registration fee of $220.

The school is offering a WEE (Weekday Early Education) Resources curriculum, a national Christian-inspired guide for the "whole child" that includes cognitive, social, emotional, physical and spiritual development, she said.

"We give them steppingstones for the future and all the love they need to nurture their spirit," Abe said.

Call 732-5561 or 732-5558 for more information.