Children
through grade 5

Child care is a service provided by St. Margaret Mary for parents in order to encourage participation in worship and in parish ministry.

- Infants - Our caregivers will hold your child as much as possible, but please bring a stroller or car seat for them to nap or sit in. Bring all necessary diaper changing materials in a bag that is clearly labeled. Label all snacks, juice bottles etc. Check with sitters at pick-up about your child and how things went. Be sure to collect all of your belongings.

- Older Children - Gospels and More will be available for all 3’s and 4’s during the 9:30 Mass. Label all snacks, juice bottles etc. Our method of discipline is a time-out. Our sitters will speak with you should time-outs be a constant occurrence with your child. Check with sitters at pick-up about your child and how things went. Be sure to collect all of your belongings.

Contact: Gail Robinson (407) 647-2579

Playgroup
The children of the founding parents of this group are getting ready to go off to college soon! That is how long this group has been part of the fabric of SMM. The format has changed very little over the course of the years. The purpose of this group is to welcome parents to come with their children for informal chat and play.

In the past, the Playgroup has very often been the first point of contact for new parents with their church community outside of a sacramental experience. It has provided people who are new to the area with a way of meeting other parents of newborns, toddlers and preschoolers. Parents who are not new to the parish have also had the chance to meet others in their community who share the same challenges that they are experiencing in forming their growing families.

Parents can come and talk informally with other parents and the children can socialize with their fellow parishioners too!

Now that we have the gift of a new space in the Family Life Center we are planning to extend the activities for this group to include 4 week Parent and Child Interactive Labs offered by BETA trained leaders. Also, there can be activities and crafts for parents to do with their children to mark the liturgical seasons and feasts of the church calendar.

Gospels and More for 3's and 4's is faith and fun for preschoolers based on the readings of the day. Children meet in classrooms during the 9:30 Sunday Mass.

Contact: Georgia Langdon or Ann Nesladek (407) 647-5171

Cooperative Preschool
The Cooperative Preschool is open to parish children ages 3 and 4. The purpose is two-fold: to provide a Catholic environment to nurture the young child, and to actively involve parents in their child's early growth and development. A certified teacher will lead the class each day assisted by parents on a rotating monthly basis. Four-year-olds meet on Monday and Tuesday from 9 am until noon and Thursday from 9 until 2 pm. Three-year-olds meet on Wednesday and Friday from 9 am until noon.

The curriculum is based on the belief that children learn through play. Children will be able to experiment, discover and observe in various center areas throughout the classroom. Each day children hear stories from the Bible that encourage their individual spirituality to flourish.

Contact: Georgia Langdon or Ann Nesladek (407) 647-5171

Liturgy of the Word for Children
Every weekend during the Saturday 5 pm Mass and the Sunday 9:30 am Mass, children ages 5 through 9 are invited to Liturgy of the Word for Children. Prior to the Liturgy of the Word, children are called to assemble in the Chapel and the choir room. The ministers of Liturgy of the Word proclaim the readings of the day and share a reflection on the child's level. The children repeat the words of the Creed and say the Prayers of the Faithful. After Liturgy of the Word, children rejoin the assembly in the main church.

Presenters for Liturgy of the Word for Children select the age group and the dates that suit their schedule. In-service trainings and gatherings are scheduled throughout the year.

Contact: Georgia Langdon or Ann Nesladek (407) 647-5171

Sunday Specials means Faith Formation for Children, four years old through fifth grade who attend either a private or public school. On Sunday mornings from 10:40 to 11:35 a.m. the children are presented the truths of the Catholic faith found in scripture stories and tradition; they are invited to respond through ritual prayers and age-appropriate activities. The link with the family is strengthened by "reach-out" actions, based on Catholic Social Teaching. Sunday Specials are held from September to April.

Contact: Georgia Langdon or Ann Nesladek (407) 647-5171

kidFEST ... is a week of "Faith and Extras" in the summer time for children age four through 6th grade. Kids, teens and adults come together for five mornings in the June to celebrate our Catholic faith in song, stories, skits and crafts.

Mark your calendar for June 23-27, 2008!

Teachers and activity leaders are trained to use materials that help scripture stories come alive for children. There is a special "spirit" that just has to be experienced during kidFEST!

Contact: Georgia Langdon or Ann Nesladek (407) 647-5171