About Us
A Note from the Director
Parents,
There is no blessing more precious than that of your child. I am humbled and blessed each time one of you trusts me – and our school – with your little one. As the Director of Precious Lambs Early Learning Center, I feel the great responsibility of partnering with you to ensure that your child is nurtured here.
I promise to love your child every day, to help them develop a love for learning and become successful academically, and, most importantly, to show your child how much our Savior Jesus loves them. As the director, I strive to bring teachers who share this mission into the lives of your children. I work to nurture teachers to be the best that they can be, and to create a wonderful atmosphere for learning. I can tell you that after many years as the Director here, I only grow more passionate about fulfilling these promises and goals each day!
A little about my background – Originally from Minnesota, I moved to Raleigh in July 2011 with my husband, Philip Kiecker, who is currently the Pastor of Gethsemane Lutheran Church. I graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with my B.S. in Education, a MN K-8 teaching license, a Spanish teaching license, and a drive to continue my education in Early Childhood. Since then, I have gone back to school and received my NC Early Childhood Credential and an Administration Credential. I am currently working toward a Master’s degree in Administration of Early Childhood Education. I have been the director of Precious Lambs ELC since July 2011.
I am excited to help Precious Lambs continue to grow and provide a loving, nurturing environment which maintains high standards in excellent and Christ-centered education!
– Julianna
Our History
Precious Lambs Early Learning Center was established in 1997 by Gethsemane Lutheran Church as a way to share the message of Jesus with children and families in Raleigh, while also providing an excellent education and a nurturing environment for young children. There were very few Christian preschool programs that offered extended care hours for preschoolers with parents working out of the home, so it was decided that we would fill that need, and provide extended care along with a preschool education for ages 3-5.
In October 2018 we were blessed to be able to move into a brand new building, designed in part by our teachers and director to be a space that truly supports high quality early childhood learning and development! This also allowed us to also open up classrooms for children ages 6 weeks – 2 years old. Both our new infant and toddler classes, and our preschool classes now operate in our new space. We are excited to have the opportunity to continue to offer excellent education, extended care, and the message of Jesus to the children and families of Raleigh.
We are fortunate to be supported in part by Gethsemane Lutheran Church. This allows us to employ teachers with further education in Early Childhood and Elementary Ed., provide an excellent program, and still keep tuition at a reasonable rate for parents.
We currently offer limited part-time (2 or 3 full days) enrollment and full-time (M-F, 8 hr curriculum day) and extended care options from 7:30 am- 5:30 pm for children ages infant – 5 years old. We would love for you to join our family!
Our Philosophy
We know that your child is your most precious gift. We also know that God has given you, the parent, the responsibility with a promise – to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it,” (Proverbs 22:6). We believe that the best atmosphere for learning is one in which collaboration between home and school is strong. It would be an honor to partner with you for your child’s growth. Working with us, you will find a close-knit community for children to learn and grow in so many ways:
Faith
The children learn of their Savior and his deep love for them as it is integrated throughout the curriculum and their interactions with their teachers and each other.
Social & Emotional Skills
A child’s social and emotional skills are a very important part of the foundation needed for learning and growth. We work with all of the children to develop and grow these skills throughout their years at Precious Lambs. Through stable routines, a Christian example, and gentle, consistent guidance, the children learn focus and self-control, perspective taking, effective communication, and confidence to take on challenges. The loving, Christian care creates an atmosphere that also fosters helpfulness, generosity and caring.
Academics
Our carefully planned and stimulating learning centers help the children to engage in self-directed learning every day. Our teachers guide learning by being facilitators for children’s discoveries, experiences and questions. The teachers also plan studies based on the Creative Curriculum, which include a daily circle time, activities, investigations and projects, all designed to foster pre-reading and writing skills, mathematics, social studies, science and much more!
We use the North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development (which has been aligned with the Common Core to ensure a smooth transition into Kindergarten programs) to guide assessments. We hold parent-teacher conferences twice per year for parents and teachers to collaborate on the child’s learning.
Healthy Living
Our relationships with the children are built on Christian love, trust and respect which provides the ideal environment for learning to take care of their bodies through healthy eating, exercise and cleanliness. USDA approved snacks and hot lunches through the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) are provided daily, as well as two hours of outside time and large motor activities.
