Little Saints Childcare Program

About GRACE

Little Saints Childcare Program


Happy children cared for by loving caregivers have settled into the GRACE Little Saints Childcare Program hosted at Holy Family School. This program opened in August of 2021 and now welcomes children of GRACE teachers, staff and our catholic community from ages 6 weeks to 3 years old. The program consists of two classrooms featuring a faith-based early childhood curriculum full of music, books, playtime, snacks, and devoted, attentive teachers. 

Holy Family Principal Jere Kubuske stated that Little Saints was developed under GRACE President Kim Desotell’s vision to recruit and maintain top talent within GRACE by providing an affordable, loving and trustworthy childcare option for the families of GRACE staff. Click on the below tabs to expand them for more information, or contact the Little Saints Child Care Manager, Tami VanGruensven.

History

Little Saints Child Care opened in the fall of 2021 for GRACE employees. It was developed under GRACE President Kim Desotell’s vision to recruit and retain top talent within GRACE by providing an affordable, loving and trustworthy, childcare option for the families of GRACE staff. The program is hosted at Holy Family School and currently has grown into the use of 3 classrooms. Children are cared for by loving, nurturing,  devoted, respectful, attentive teachers. Our program features a developmentally appropriate environment which includes: stories, songs, music, themes, planned activities, outside playtime, all in a faith enriched environment. 

Mission Statement

Little Saints Childcare mission is to provide a nurturing environment for your child to grow and thrive in. Our goal is to provide quality care in an environment that is safe, secure, educational and faith enriched. We meet this through organized planned activities, play based environment and exploration. We value our families values and morals and want to be an extension of that. 

Philosophy

At Little Saints Childcare we believe that our program offers a developmentally appropriate curriculum and we strive to enhance social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and faith growth in young children. This is accomplished in our program through positive interactions with peers and teachers, engaging them in planned activities, giving them the opportunity to explore their surroundings, and welcoming and loving them in a faith enriched environment. At Little Saints each child is treated as an “unique individual” and with the utmost respect. We want their experiences at Little Saints to be remembered and cherished.

Values

Quality childcare   

  • We take ownership in pride in what we do
  • Are aware of parent’s expectations
  • Creating a faith, caring, loving and positive environment

Curriculum

  • Follow Wisconsin Model Early Learning Model (WMELS)
  • Education material available
  • Planned learning opportunities as well as opportunities for free play

Building the foundation of a faith-centered life

  • Catholic values of love, trust, honesty, kindness, sharing, compassion, and respect for others
  • Building on the truth of Jesus Christ is the foundation by which we live, learn and teach

Respect

  • Everyone is a “unique individual”
  • Be treated with dignity and quality
  • We love our children at Little Saints
  • We value parents beliefs, and children’s individual differences

Family partnership

  • Families feel welcomed, loved and happy
  • Parents and teachers can communicate through the day through our childcare application

Safety and health

  • Locked doors
  • Trained staff keeps the room clean and sanitized throughout the day
  • Toys are cleaned and sanitized daily, weekly or as needed

Commitment

  • Provide a quality service to our parents
  • Meet the needs of young children
  • Work together to provide a safe, happy, nurturing environment for everyone involved in the child care center

Meet our Teachers

Tami VanGruensven – Child Care Manager

Hello, I am the Child Care Manager of Little Saints Child Care. I have been in the Early Childcare field for 19 years now. My career started when I owned and operated a licensed family child care in my home for over 16 years. During that time I earned my Associates Degree of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from NWTC, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Special Education and Early Childhood Regular Education Degree at UW Whitewater. I also earned several Wisconsin Registry Credentials including: Child Care Administrative Credential and Registry Inclusion, Infant and Toddler, and Preschool. In 2019 I taught First grade at Father Allouez School and then moved to Second grade the following year. 

My husband and I have been married for over 25 years and have two adult boys and two adventurous grandsons (Briar and Brex). I love working with children and have my grandsons as much as I can. In my spare time I enjoy my family, watching movies, and taking walks. I look forward to getting to know the children and their families at Little Saints. It is so rewarding to watch them learn and grow. Please feel free to contact me about anything. I can be reached at tvangruensven@gracesystem.org or (920) 272-3123.

Sue Gotffried – Infant room teacher

Sue earned a Bachelor’s of Science major in Education – Early Childhood thru middle (ages 0 – 11) at UWGB in 2018. From 2018 – 2021 she taught 3rd grade at St. Thomas Moore  for two years and one year of 2nd grade there. Mrs. Sue also taught religious education.  Her past experiences as a mother, grandma, mentor and teacher brings lots of experience, benefits, and knowledge of children to her current role. She loves the innocence of this age group, and can’t wait to share in your child’s learning and development experiences.

Ashley Rusch – Toddler teacher 

Ashley assisted Little Saints in both rooms our opening year. She has lots of past experiences with children including babysitting during her middle and high school years, working with kindergarten – 1st grade in after school programs at Boys and Girls Club and teaching kindergarten religious education.  Ashley also worked as a lunchroom supervisor this past school year at Holy Family School.Mrs. Rusch has a two year old that keeps her very busy.

Tanya Russell – Childcare teacher

Tanya went to NWTC and got a vocational diploma in child care. She worked in a child care center shortly after school and then when that closed she nannied for 2 girls from that center during the summer. As a SAHM she was able to care for her son for 6 years. Mrs. Russell was a sub for Grace, worked as preschool aide both at Father Allouez and Our Lady of Lourdes. 

Kristine Motto – Childcare teacher

Kristine is a new hire at Little Saints. More information about Kristine is coming soon!

Janet Peterson – Childcare teacher

Janet is a new hire at Little Saints. She was previously a substitute teacher within the GRACE school system. More information about Janet is coming soon!

WMELS

Wisconsin Early Learning Standards (WMELS)

Little Saintus is using the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) for our curriculum along with theme related learning activities. The Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards provide a common language and guidance for families, professionals, and policy makers around early childhood education and care for birth to first grade. 

Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards –  addresses the following learning and development:

  • Healthy and Physical
  • Social and Emotional
  • Language and Communication
  • Approaches to Learning
  • Cognition and General Knowledge

Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards – Guiding Principles

  • All children are capable and competent
  • Early relationships matter
  • A child’s early learning and development is mutli/dimensional
  • Expectations for children must be guided by knowledge of child growth and development
  • Children are individuals who develop at various rates
  • Children are members of cultural groups that share developmental patterns
  • Children exhibit a range of skills and competencies within any domain of development
  • Children learn through play and the active exploration of their environment
  • Parents are children’s primary and most important caregivers and educators

Tentative Infant Schedule*

7:00 – 7:45          Arrival, say good morning to our friends and  play

7:45 – 8:15          Breakfast and any morning bottles

8:15 – 8:30          Diaper changes

8:30 – 8:50          Morning floor/social time (play with our favorite toys: rattles, blocks, dolls, etc) in a group

8:55 – 9:55          Morning nap

10:00 – 10:20      Work on skills (floor time, fine and gross motor skills, and eye hand coordination)

10:20 – 10: 35     Diaper changes

10:40 – 11:00      Group time (reading of stories, songs, and learning activities) or outside time

11:00 – 12:00      Lunch and any bottles

12:00 – 12:20      Play time on the floor or bouncies

12:20 – 12:30      Diaper Changes

1:00 – 3:00          Nap Time

3:00 – 3:10          Diaper Changes

3:00 – 3:30          Afternoon bottles and snack

3:15 – 5:00          End of day (play time, exploring, and getting ready to go home)

* This is a tentative schedule. We let our babies do their own schedule and will meet their needs.

Tentative Toddler Room Schedule*

7:30-8:00        Play Time 

8:00-8:45        Breakfast Time 

8:45-9:30         Play Time

9:30-10:00         Outside Time 

10:00-10:30         Snack Time 

10:30-11:30         Class Activity 

11:30-12:30         Lunch Time 

12:30-1:00         Story time  

1:00-3:00         Nap/Rest Time 

3:00-3:30         Snack Time  

3:30-4:30         Play Time 

* This is our tentative daily schedule and it is very flexible to meet every child’s need.

Curriculum

Click here to view our tentative Infant and Toddler Curriculum.

Calendar

You can view the Little Saints calendar here.

Parent Handbook

Coming soon.

Forms and Other Resources

Donations

Cash – Your donations and prayers makes it possible for Little Saints to provide our mission in providing quality care in an environment that is safe, secure, educational and faith enriched. 

Thank you for supporting GRACE’S Little Saints Child Care and Catholic education for a brighter future!

Baby/Early childhood items – We accept like new baby equipment, baby supplies, toys and books. Little Saints likes Fisher Price, Little Tykes and Melissa and Doug toys.

Amazon gift cards – We get most of our supplies from Amazon

Needed Supplies

Things we are always in need of:

  • Disinfecting wipes
  • Tissues
  • Paper Towel
  • Batteries (Mostly AA, AAA and some C & D batteries)
  • Gallon and quart size bags

Wish List

  • (2) Cleaning sets
  • (2) Melissa and Doug cleaning broom and mop
  • (2) Cash register
  • Fisher price Linkimals
  • Like-new dress up clothes
  • Wooden puzzles
  • Cardboard books, hardcover books or religious books
  • Religious decor for our rooms
  • Tunnel
  • Standing activity table for infants/toddlers 
  • Toddler basketball hoop and ball
  • Baby high chair

Volunteers

Little Saints would love to have volunteers come to the center. They could rock babies, read to children, do an activity, play with them or just help out in the classroom.  Anyone who would like to volunteer with Little Saints must be VIRTUS trained.

Contact

Little Saints Child Care
1204 S Fisk Street
Green Bay, WI 54304
(920) 272-3123
childcare@gracesystem.org

Little Saints Child Care Manager: Tami VanGruensven

Leads

Coming soon.