The Corinth Step Ahead Preschool has been a blessing for our church and our community for more than 40 years. It is with a heavy heart that I write to tell you that Step Ahead Preschool and Daycare will be ceasing operations. Unfortunately, we will not be able continue offering any childcare services moving forward. You will need to collect all of your children’s belongings before the end of the day on Friday, October 20, 2023. We do not intend to re-start any Step Ahead programs until August 2024.

We have come to this decision for several reasons. Here are some details to help clarify

– After Hannah Ashton announced her departure as the director of Step Ahead last May, she worked to help us find a new director. We were seeking a strong Christian leader with early childhood education experience. We were unable to hire a new director prior to the start of the 2023-24 school year. The Ashtons have been a blessing for this ministry.

– We also had additional staff resign last May. Once again we were unable to find enough candidates to work as assistant teachers this year. Tiffany Page was hired in September to assist in the Daycare. She has loved on your children but there is only so much she can do.

– Jill Masters and Casey Tutterrow were the lead teachers in our Preschool and Beginners classes. They too have been faithfully present with your children. However, without enough assistants they are unable to give all of the students the attention they need.

– In September, we also hired Amanda Lundsford as director. Amanda was a great addition to our staff because of her experience working as a kindergarten teacher and in church ministry. Unfortunately, she had to resign prior to Fall Break for personal reasons. This left only three staff with 34 students.

– As noted in the letter I sent home prior to Fall Break, we have reached out through many outlets seeking candidates for our needed positions. We had a couple interviews during Fall Break but the response was not enough.

Since May, our goal has been to operate Step Ahead with highly qualified teachers and caregivers who would provide a safe and inviting environment in which your children would learn and grow – academically, socially, and spiritually. As we struggled to make this goal a reality, we hoped to at least finish the semester with all programs intact. Unfortunately, this is not possible.

The new goal for Step Ahead Preschool is to restructure and rebuild. Over the next 8 months we plan to hire a full staff of highly skilled and trained Christian preschool teachers and caregivers, improve standards, and establish policies and procedures to improve relationships between Corinth Church, Step Ahead staff, and the families we serve.

On a personal note, I am saddened that this decision had to come at this time. I know what it is to have little ones and the importance of preschool and daycare. I know this is a necessary part of your life. I hate that we find ourselves in this position. I appreciate that you trusted our church with your children. It is an honor that you chose Corinth Step Ahead. I have truly enjoyed getting to know your kids and other students in my two years at Corinth Church.

Step Ahead has been a service to the community and an outreach of our church. We had hoped that many families would come to find Corinth Church a place where they could worship The Lord. Corinth Church has been in this community for 154 years and will continue to serve the Monroe Township area for many years to come. Please know that you and your family are always welcome here.

Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

In Christ’s Grace and Service,

Pastor Chris Roberts