News From The Nest
August 2026
Dear Church Families,
As we prepare to begin another school year at The Nest, our hearts are full of gratitude and anticipation for all that God has in store. This year, 32 children are enrolled across our Preschool, PreK, and Kindergarten classes. We are so excited to welcome these children and to partner with their families as their little ones grow in knowledge, faith, confidence, and wonder.
The Nest was created to be more than a place where children spend their mornings. It is a place where children are known, nurtured, encouraged, and invited to discover God's creation. We want our classrooms and outdoor spaces to feel like an extension of home—a place where children can ask questions, get messy, try again, care for one another, and experience the joy of learning.
One of the things we are especially excited about this year is our continued emphasis on school readiness.
For our kindergarteners, we are intentionally building strong foundations in literacy, phonics, writing, mathematics, science, and problem-solving while still protecting what makes childhood so special.
Our approach is project-based and hands-on. Rather than simply telling children about something, we want them to investigate it, experience it, talk about it, create with it, and wonder about it.
We believe children learn deeply when learning is connected to something tangible.
Our annual Fall trip to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
Celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmastime
Bike Day is always a favorite
Simple days spent exploring God's creation
Praising Jesus with our families during our daily Rise and Shine worship session
Learning fire safety with a visit from the fire department
Some of our kindergarteners enjoying a creek day at Poole Forge
Building friendships that will last a lifetime
Creating beautiful things with God's beautiful creation
A visit from Officer Zimmerman
The excitement and anticipation of new life
Hands-on science investigation
This year, our outdoor learning space is growing!
Meet our chickens! 🐔
Our chickens give children opportunities to practice responsibility, gentleness, observation, cooperation, and care. Caring for living things teaches lessons that simply cannot be replicated on a worksheet.
Children will have opportunities to observe the chickens, help care for them, notice their needs, and learn about the rhythms of life.
Wildflowers are growing, too! 🌼
We've also added wildflowers to our outdoor learning environment.
A simple patch of flowers becomes a place for children to explore science, life cycles, insects, stewardship, observation, art, vocabulary, and wonder.
We love that our outdoor spaces allow children to learn that God's creation is worth noticing and caring for.
The Nest is blessed to be part of this church family, and we don't want to do this work alone.
There are several meaningful ways you can partner with us this year:
🙏 PRAY
This is the greatest gift you can give us.
Please pray for:
- Our 32 children and their families
- Our teachers and staff
- Strong relationships between home and school
- Children who are growing in faith and confidence
- Wisdom as we teach and lead
- A year filled with joy, curiosity, and meaningful learning
- Opportunities to show each child the love of Christ
Would you consider making The Nest part of your regular prayer list this school year?
🛒 SHOP OUR AMAZON WISH LIST
Our teachers have created an Amazon Wish List with materials and supplies that help make our classrooms and outdoor learning experiences possible.
Every item—big or small—is a practical way to invest in the children God has entrusted to us.
The Nest Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/C8TKN4NCFRM7?ref_=wl_share
💛 GIVE, IF YOU FEEL LED
If you feel called to financially support The Nest, your gift helps us provide meaningful learning experiences, classroom materials, outdoor resources, and opportunities for children and families.
We are grateful for gifts of every size.
Financial donations may be made through the church by contacting The Nest Treasurer, Tracey Zimmerman.
To our church board and congregation: thank you.
Thank you for believing that children are worth investing in.
Thank you for making space for The Nest to grow.
Thank you for praying, encouraging, giving, and cheering us on.
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve children and families in our community through this ministry.
As we step into a new school year, our prayer is simple:
That children would grow in knowledge, faith, confidence, kindness, and wonder—and that every child who enters The Nest would know they are deeply loved by us and by their Heavenly Father.
We can't wait to see what this year brings.
With gratitude,
Mandee Culp
Director, The Nest Preschool & Kindergarten