We hope that this website coupled with a visit to our School will help you feel comfortable that you are making the right Preschool and childcare choice for your child when you enroll them at First Methodist School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. LOCATION: First Methodist School is a full service Preschool and childcare facility located at 812 Kirkman Street ( corner of Broad and Kirkman Streets ) in the Historical District of downtown Lake Charles, 70601. HOURS: First Methodist School is open from 7: 00 am to 5: 30 pm, Monday through Friday and observes major holidays. LICENSE: First Methodist School is licensed by the State of Louisiana as a Class "A" Child Care Center with a capacity of 201 children, 6 weeks through Pre-Kindergarten. Our current license number is 1540. Our learning programs are based on developmentally appropriate practices. HISTORY: First Methodist School was founded in 1960 as an extension of First United Methodist Church's mission and community outreach. It continues to be an integral part of First United Methodist Church, under the leadership of Sharon Thibodeaux, Preschool Director, serving families within and beyond the Church's membership ; providing a developmentally appropriate Infant through Pre-Kindergarten Program designed to enhance each individual child's spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth. The school seeks to provide its educational opportunities to an ethnically and economically diverse community. QUALITY GOALS: First Methodist School's quality include, but are not limited to, small group sizes, low teacher-child ratios, teacher training, parental involvement, and an environment which is safe and clean. Quality childcare requires planning activities that promote the total development of children. To achieve the goal of total development, we provide activities planning at First Methodist School that considers all of your child's daily needs, such as physical activities, social and emotional development, and cognitive and intellectual development. Also considered in this development program are outdoor play, indoor play, meals, and naps. We are flexible in how your child spends each day, but we need to keep in mind that these basic activities are essential to healthy mental and physical development. IF YOU ARE NEW TO CHILDCARE: We recognize that, if this is your child's first experience with group care, they may have an adjustment period, and we realize that you may require an adjustment period also. Please be assured that we are aware of the need for sensitivity in this area.