More than 44 years ago, a First United Methodist Church member had a vision.

The late Diane Gerard loved children, and more importantly, she wanted to help them learn.

“It was her vision to start the pre-K, and she just ran with it,” said Diane Van Staalduinen, preschool director. “She had a passion for children, for nurturing them.”

“She just didn’t let it drop,” Van Staalduinen added.

Gerard wasn’t alone. In the fall of 1972, she and Betty Nelson took the reins as co-directors. With 23 children the first year, Gerard taught one class for 4-year-olds, and Nelson taught two classes for 3-year-olds. In 1973, a one-day-a-week class for 2-year-olds was added to the preschool and another teacher brought on board.

Decades later, the FUMC preschool has about 50 children attending, and as of several years ago, an expanded facility to include a separate branch of childcare services.

FUMC’s preschool offers a mixture of social, academic and spiritual learning, according to Van Staalduinen.

Today’s Little Bits classes (1- and 2-year-olds) begin learning social skills, colors and shapes, and the 3-year-old curriculum builds off of that. Once in pre-kindergarten, preparation for kindergarten is in full force, she said.

Van Staalduinen said Bible lessons are also incorporated into daily activities, and children attend chapel in the church’s Wesley Hall.

“Christ is the center of where the rest of it flows,” Van Staalduinen said.

She said the support of the rest of the church has been an invaluable part of keeping the preschool in operation, and class rosters are usually close to capacity or full.

Stepping into the role of director about six months ago, Van Staalduinen said she hopes to simply continue the legacy of what those before her built. Van Staalduinen follows Janet Cooper’s nine-year tenure.

“Continuing the heritage and the depth of the richness of the program would be my heart’s desire,” she said.

With dedicated teachers and a congregation behind it, Gerard’s vision for FUMC’s preschool looks toward the future.