The Early Childhood Development Center is a proposed new parish ministry focusing on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Montessori Method. It will mainly focus on children (Montessori preschool with CGS) but also with formation opportunities for adults. Below is the proposed plan for the Center for the next two years. We have been blessed to have Celine Mitchell join us at the helm of this project.
You will meet Celine in the weeks ahead.

•  Invitation/discernment to be on planning team with 1^st meeting on Zoom by Nov. 3 or on site

•  Invitation/discernment to be on working team – many hands needed to clean and prepare 2 rooms – toddler atrium/Montessori room and atrium for Level I CGS – on site meeting Nov.3

•  Celine meets with Faith Formation/catechetical team to share CGS philosophy

•  Celine meets weekly with planning team – intro to CGS and developmental needs/characteristics of children 0-6  (on zoom or in person)

•  Conversation with Carlow regarding involvement in Center

•  Celine meets with working team weekly to clean and prepare atria

•  Bulletin announcements with needs of supplies, materials for rooms; woodworker, seamstress, artists, crafts

•  Goal is for rooms to be prepared with basic materials by end of December

•  Weekly materials making sessions on site

•  Book study on RPCI or Joyful Journey with planning team and interested parishioners

•  Promote “Lent for Little Ones” – a 4 week pilot for children ages 2-4 (with caregiver) and another group ages 4-6.  Celine will lead with one assistant

•  Schedule/Promote/advertise CGS Level I Formation Course to begin in April – parish, diocese and CGS website

•  Promote Montessori search for trained Montessori Guide or someone willing to take training - some training online and some on site (Florida, Ohio, other states)

•  If large amount of interest, can have 2 sessions for each age group to offer day/time options

•  Ongoing book study, planning group, materials making)

•  Up to 10 participants from diocese (parishioners get 1^st preference) can receive diocesan scholarships

•  Course options: weekly on Tuesdays or Thursdays; weekend; 4  four-day clusters)

•  Continue Level I CGS course and making CGS materials

•  Advertise/promote fall CGS sessions for children; schedule catechists & aides

•  Continue to prepare Montessori rooms

•  Search for Montessori teachers or those willing to take courses

•  Schedule another CGS Level I Formation Course to run weekly or monthly

•  Begin working on a room for Level II CGS, materials making held weekly for Level II

•  Schedule and promote a Level II CGS Formation Course for catechists

•  Ongoing CGS book study; materials making

•  Promote “Lent for Little Ones” during 4 weeks of Lent, 2 age groups; 2-3 with caregiver and 4-6. (this is seeder for future Montessori and CGS)

•  Purchase rest of Montessori toddler and primary materials by July

•  Hire Montessori trained teacher for primary 3-6 to start by July 1, 2022

•  For Montessori primary 3-6 starting Sept. 2022

•  For Montessori toddler (18 months – age 2.5)

•  For CGS toddler and Level I

•  For CGS Level II (just grade 1 and perhaps gr. 2), grade 3 will be included in 2023