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James River Church Director of Early Child Care Tami Parsley says Preschool Academy at First Baptist Church is designed to aid families in poverty.SBJ photo by WES HAMILTON
James River Church Director of Early Child Care Tami Parsley says Preschool Academy at First Baptist Church is designed to aid families in poverty.

SBJ photo by WES HAMILTON

James River Church launches downtown preschool

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James River Church last week launched a downtown preschool designed to aid families in poverty.

Dubbed James River Preschool Academy, the 525 South Ave. school offers early education and child care services free of charge, provided parents hold up their end of an accountability program.

“It’s a partnership on their end as well,” said Tami Parsley, James River’s director of early child care. “Parents have to attend mandatory meetings.

“We’re committing to them that we’re going to love their kids and educate their kids.”

Parents can earn points on a scale of 100 by attending parenting classes, dropping off and picking children up on time, reading to their kids at night, making sure to have children bathed and their provided uniforms cleaned, and by attending church services, among other activities. Parents must maintain 80 points per week for their kids to stay in the program, Parsley said.

“That gives them ownership and some ability to flex a little bit,” she said. “It gives them incentives in a very visual and concrete way.”

James River Preschool Academy operates in roughly 2,000 square feet at downtown’s First Baptist Church.

“It’s a partnership, so they’re letting us use it for free,” Parsley said. “They’re able to help us with families who wouldn’t normally be able to afford a preschool. They want to reach families, too.

“We’re hoping that these families get plugged in to First Baptist.”

Funded by private donors, James River Preschool Academy is expected to cost $225,000 per year. The school employs two certified teachers, as well as two aids.

The school launched Aug. 24 with 24 children, a full roster. The academy is starting with 3-year-olds as a pilot, and is seeking to open 10 preschools in the area in partnership with other churches, largely in north Springfield. James River Church also operates a kindergarten program in Ozark.

James River Preschool Academy is the second new school opening in downtown Springfield this fall.

U.school, a democratic micro school for sixth-12th grade students, opened Aug. 22 at College Station. The school had 32 enrolled out of 40 spots as of Aug. 8.

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