Our History

Saint Matthew Christian Nursery School began in September of 1952 as a kindergarten. It was licensed under the church and ran under the direction of Mrs. Anna K. Tinsman for over 20 years. The Springfield School District did not offer public kindergarten, as they were housed in community churches. The Springfield School District offered public kindergarten for the first time in September of 1971.

 

Mrs. Tinsman retired in 1974. At that time, Mrs. Arleen Black was hired as a full-time Teacher. In September of 1974, twenty-one children were enrolled with one teacher and no additional help.

 

The Nursery School continued to grow in children and staff. The quality of the program was continually being updated to meet the needs of the children and families enrolled.

 

In September of 1980 a more in-depth Art Program was introduced with Leona Cauley as the Art Teacher.

 

After ten years of grown, in September of 1984, the school enrollment was 146 children and the staff now consisted of 8 people.

 

In September of 1988, Mrs. Arleen Black became the full-time Director.

 

In September of 1990, a 4-day class in the afternoon was introduced and the following year a 4-day morning class was added.

 

In September of 1994, the school offered 10 classes with an enrollment of 167 children and 12 staff.

 

In September of 1996, the Nursery School offered 10 classes with an enrollment of 176 and a staff of 14.

 

In May of 1997, Leona Cauley, moved from the area at which time Lori Schuler became the Art Coordinator.

 

In September of 2000, a 5-day morning class was started.

 

In September of 2003, the Nursery School offered 10 classes with an enrollment of 166 children and 16 staff. That same year in May, Mrs. Arleen Black retired after 29 years as the Director and Mrs. Pat McGill retired after 25 years as the Assistant Director.

 

In 2003, Mrs. Sandra Thomas was hired as the Director. She received her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Delaware County Community College. Mrs. Lori Schuler, the Art Coordinator, became the Assistant Director, helping in the Art Department as well. The Nursery School still offered 10 classes with an enrollment of 158 children and 16 staff.

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In 2006, Linda M. Maylie became the Assistant Director. She was currently an Early Childhood Education student at Delaware County Community College. The Nursery School continued to offer 10 classes in two sessions, morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday, with an enrollment of 160 children, 15 staff and 1 substitute teacher in place. A Music Program, coordinated by Mrs. Helen Shelton was in place meeting twice a week.

 

In 2009, Linda Maylie became the Director as a 2009 graduate of Delaware County Community College with her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Director Certification for the state of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Kerri Homan was the Office Support as well as the 3-day, 1st Floor Teacher Assistant in the afternoon. The Nursery School had an enrollment of 158 children, 13 staff, 2 permanent substitute teachers in place and a Music Coordinator.

 

In September of 2019, after 10 years of service, Linda Maylie resigned as the Director. In October of 2019, Ana Fischer became the Director with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and over 20 years of experience in a variety of early childhood education settings. The Nursery School had an enrollment of 166 children; 12 teaching staff; 1 office assistant, Mrs. Karen Peterkin; 2 permanent substitute teachers in place; and Mrs. Heidi Starr as the Music Coordinator.

 

In December of 2019, Saint Matthew Christian Nursery School was the recipient of 2019 Best of Springfield Child Care Award from The Springfield Award Program.

 

In March of 2020, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Nursery School adopted an Online Learning Platform in order to offer virtual instruction to all students.

 

In July of 2020, Saint Matthew Christian Nursery School was selected two years in a row for the 2020 Best of Springfield Awards for Nursery School and qualified for the Springfield Business Hall of Fame.

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In September of 2020, Saint Matthew Christian Nursery School opened with COVID-19 prevention measures and successfully operated during the COVID-19 Pandemic with minimum classroom closures and quarantines.

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In the Spring of 2022, a parent survey was conducted to assess the need and interest of a two-year-old program and a full-day option, 9:15am to 3:00pm, for each of our existing programs. In September of 2022, Saint Matthew Christian Nursery School began offering a Terrific Twos Program for two-year-olds and full-day option for each existing program.