Page 5 - Ministry of Caring

needs. Il Bambino on North Madison Street cares for infants age 6 weeks to 18 months. The Child Care Center on North Jackson Street accepts children ages 6 weeks through 4 years. Guardian Angel, the largest of the three with an average of 48 children, serves children age 1 through kindergarten age.
“I’m not sure where my kids would be without [Guardian Angel Child Care].”
—Dana Thompkins
All the classes have a low teacher-to-student ratio, ranging from one teacher for every four infants to one teacher for every 10 3-to-4-year-olds. It was a teacher who first noticed that Scooter was having difficulty with speech, Thompkins says. As a result, he started therapy.
Thompkins also appreciated the centers’ many learning opportunities. For instance, there are music and computer classes and sing-a-longs. The children read books, or they listen as the teacher reads. They’ve also visited gardens to learn about the environment.
Hugs are an important part of the program, and children are encouraged to share the news about their lives, whether it’s the birth of a sibling or an approaching birthday. Bonds form quickly. Scooter, who is now a student at Delaware Technical Community College, met his best friend at Guardian Angel.
Graduation day at Guardian Angel Child Care.
“They started together, and that’s his buddy,” Thompkins says. “They’re still friends. He’s like a brother.”
Today, Scooter, 19, wants to be a sports broadcaster. Kira,
a student at Howard High School of Technology, would like to open a multicultural unisex salon.
Thompkins, who often stops by Guardian Angel to pick up her nieces and nephews, is impressed that Sister Kathleen and the staff still remember her children’s names. “They wanted to see my son’s graduation picture. They still ask after them. If I send them to pick up the children, they’re just as excited to see them,” Thompkins says.
Happy to support the things that bring our
community together.
FEBRUARY 2017 WWW.DELAWARETODAY.COM M5