MISSION: We strive daily to be a nurturing community that honors the children, as individuals and in community.

The First Presbyterian Early Years Center (formerly Parents’ Day Out or “PDO”) celebrated its 40th year of dedicated childcare in the 2022-2023 Academic Year.  Established in 1982 as a co-op program for parents who needed short-term childcare for their children, the program has grown exponentially since its founding.

Today, the program reflects the childcare needs of the families in our community, with longer hours, more days and expanded learning opportunities for the children in our care. While we continue to help children adapt to being away from their parents, and encourage and model positive social skills which will carry them through the rest of their lives, the EYC also adopts the philosophy that learning should be playful and fun.

We engage children in a variety of ways in order to provide them the opportunities to explore, have their sensory needs met, and to allow them the freedom to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning.  We truly believe that play – both free and guided – is the most effective way children learn.

Although we love and admire many of the well-known play-based learning models, we primarily utilize tenets from the Wunderled, Reggio-inspired, and Nature School programs.

Our staff members are Red Cross Certified (Pediatric First Aid/CPR) and go through a wide variety of trainings throughout the year, most recently including Nature Play Training with the Missouri Botanical Gardens and  Third Teacher Training, including trips to the Teacher’s Recycle Center in Chesterfield, MO. Our staff is also highly encouraged to take every opportunity to further explore their interests within childcare through webinars, online training, podcasts, book recommendations and more.

EYC is a ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis with guidance from a Board of Directors composed of parents, community members and church liaisons.

For more information about our program, please email EYC Director, Leigh Brockman Horowitz, at pdo@firstpres-stl.org.

EYC Phone Number: 314-721-4866

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT:

“Our son has attended for over 2 years now and we feel so incredibly fortunate that we ended up here! Not only does he love it, but I am continuously reminded how caring and intentional the staff are with our children and fellow staff. They treat kids with love as any family member could!” -Mary Rae P.

“This is a great place for kiddos to learn! My daughter has attended since she was 4 months old and comes home happy. She has learned so much from playing, socializing and seeing all of the other kids!” – Nicole S.

“Thank you for everything you all have done to make the program so special and enriching in our family’s lives.” – Emily