Lyndon Blanton
Director
Lyndon directs the preschool for the church. He gives the tours, answers the phone and tells the Friday story in the threes and fours rooms.
A ministry of Linden Park Baptist Church
A preschool run as a ministry of our church
Pawpaw is a preschool for children ages 2 to 5 in the education wing of a Baptist church in Nixa. We teach Bible stories and songs in plain view, and we tell every family what that means before they enroll.
Our faith, in plain words
A church preschool that tells you what it teaches
We are a Baptist church, and this preschool is part of our ministry. We believe God made every child and loves each one, and that the Bible is his word to us.
In our rooms that means a Bible story and a short prayer each morning, a blessing before snack and songs. It does not mean pressing a child to believe anything, and a child who would rather listen quietly may.
Families of any faith and of none are welcome. We would rather say plainly what we do and let you choose.
A Bible story and a short prayer each morning
A blessing before snack, and songs through the week
No child is asked to pray or to believe
Families of any faith are welcome
Lyndon Blanton
Director
Programs
A room for each age, three ways to spend the week
Children are in the twos, threes or fours room by age. Choose three mornings, five mornings or the school day.
| Ages | Adults to children | Group size | Three mornings9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Tuesday to Thursday | Five mornings8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Monday to Friday | School day8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Monday to Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twos room2-year-oldsRest time after lunch on the school day | 1 adult to 8 children | 16 | Offered | Offered | Waitlist |
| Threes room3-year-oldsBible story and music every morning | 1 adult to 10 children | 20 | Offered | Offered | OfferedLunch from home |
| Fours room4-year-oldsLetters, numbers and a weekly chapel hour | 1 adult to 10 children | 20 | Not offered | Offered | OfferedLunch from home |
Fees and what each is for
- Registration
- Is due with the application and covers the enrollment file.
- Supplies
- Covers the year's art materials and classroom supplies.
- Field trips
- Covers the bus and entry for the two spring field trips.
Each room has a lead teacher and an assistant.
Sample programs.
The school year
Tours in January, enrollment in February, school in late August
The preschool follows the school year, with the church's calendar for Christmas. Here is the year at a glance.
This school year
Open house
January
Walk through the education wing, see the rooms and meet the teachers. No need to sign up.
- Applications open
Enrollment opens
February
Families on the waitlist hear from us first, then the form opens on our enrollment page.
Apply - Decisions
Families hear from us
April
By email and a phone call, with a place in a room or a spot on the waitlist.
- First day
First day of school
Late August
Children come on their first day at the hour set for their room, and a teacher meets each family at the door.
- Recital
Christmas program
December
Each room sings a few songs in the sanctuary for families, and the whole morning takes about an hour.
- Closed
Spring break
March
The preschool follows the local school district's spring break.
Sample dates.
Our notice and our numbers
What our exemption means and who is in the room
We are a church ministry, so Missouri does not license us. The notice below says what that means, and the numbers are how many adults are in each room.
License
Pawpaw Preschool is a ministry of Linden Park Baptist Church. It is exempt from state child care licensing under Missouri law for programs run by a church, so it is not licensed by the state. Missouri asks programs like ours to say so plainly, and we give every family this notice in writing before a child starts, along with our discipline policy and our safety routines.
Adults to children
1 adult to 8 children
2-year-olds
Group size: 16
1 adult to 10 children
3-year-olds
Group size: 20
1 adult to 10 children
4-year-olds
Group size: 20
Group size
Up to 20 children
with 2 adults
Capacity
56
Ages 2 years to 5 years
Staff checks and training
- Background checks
- CPR and first aid
- Mandated reporter training
- Food handler training
Safety routines
Arrival and pickup
A teacher greets each child at the side door and signs them in. At pickup a child goes only with the adults on your list, and we ask for ID until we know you.
The building
Once drop-off ends the education wing's outside door is locked, and visitors ring the bell and sign in at the office. Church members use the other end of the building.
Discipline
A teacher gets down to a child's level, says what is happening and offers another way. We don't use physical punishment, and we don't shame a child. You get our discipline policy in writing before the first day.
Allergies and snacks
Tell us about allergies at the tour; we ask privately once you enroll. We ask families not to send nuts, and the morning snack is simple.
Illness
A child with a fever or a contagious illness stays home. If a child becomes ill at school, we call you right away, and a teacher stays close until you arrive.
Drills and headcounts
We practice fire and storm drills with every room, and we count heads whenever children move between the room and the playground.
Ask us about child care assistance
Sample details.
The team
Three of the eight adults you will meet at the door
Eight teachers, assistants and helpers run the preschool, and each room has a lead teacher and an assistant.
Nevin Hoyt
Fours room teacher
Nevin leads the fours room. He plays guitar at circle time, builds in the block corner and walks the playground at every outdoor time.
Lesa Berry
Threes room teacher
Lesa leads the threes room and has taught children's Sunday school at the church for many years. She knows every family at the side door by name.
From parents
What parents tell us
“The statement of faith was on the table at our tour, and Lyndon answered every question, including the ones about our own church. Nothing surprised us afterwards.”
Caitlyn D.Parent of a four-year-old
“We are not Baptist, and we asked about that first. We got a straight answer and no pressure. Drop-off at the side door takes about a minute.”
Robbie M.Parent of a three-year-old
“The notice about licensing was in writing before we signed anything, and Lesa went through it with us. I appreciated being told plainly.”
Margo L.Parent of a two-year-old
Sample reviews.
Questions
What families ask us
What ages and hours do you serve?
Children from 2 to 5 years, in a twos, a threes and a fours room. The week has three mornings, five mornings or the school day, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
What do you teach about faith?
A Bible story and a short prayer each morning, a blessing before snack and songs. We don't ask a child to pray or to believe. Our statement of faith has the details.
What if our family has a different faith?
You are welcome. Tell us at the tour, and we will go through what a day includes. A child who would rather listen quietly during prayer may do so.
Is the preschool licensed?
No. We are a ministry of the church and exempt from state licensing under Missouri law. Our notice and the number of adults in each room are on the safety page.
How does a tour work?
Book a tour on our enrollment page or call us. Lyndon walks you through the rooms and the playground, and there is time for questions.
What sets tuition?
The room, your child's age and how many days you choose. Our figures are on our enrollment page, and our how tuition works page explains the rest.
Come and see the rooms
Book a tour on our enrollment page, or call and ask about what a day includes.