The Bethel Educational Center is a fully designed, developed and functioning child care center which prides itself on its care and concern for children and their developmental progress and well-being. The Center is open from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. each day, Monday through Friday, throughout the year. The following holidays are observed: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Students of BEC range from the ages of 2 weeks to 12 years of age and customized programs of care are implemented for infants, toddlers and latch-key children. An advanced learning curriculum, combined with learning time about God and His Word, have made the Bethel Educational Center one of the most sought after and successful child care centers in the Mid-Michigan area.

BEC's curriculum consists of various enrichment programs that are designed to assist children in their total growth process; mind, body and spirit. Some of these programs include:

Computers/Resource Technology:
Children ages three to five years old can take a great deal of pleasure from using a computer. With practice, they can use a mouse effectively. The software we use is stimulating and interactive software which is good for their ability level. The use of computers improves a child's independence, self-esteem and sense of belonging, positive behavior, interactions, literacy, safety, productivity and environment.

Spanish:
The Spanish program is taught through the use of puppets, stories, puzzles, projects and games by which the children build vocabulary and conversational skills.

Music:
The music program is taught, sequentially, to children ages three through five years old. Listening, movement, performance and reading skills are taught and the student's culminated efforts are shown during school and music programs throughout the school year.

Reading:
The reading program is designed to supplement the pre-kindergarten programs and provide enrichment, word recognition and comprehension skills, in addition to, critical and creative thinking skills which are necessary for children to perform as skilled readers. This reading program will foster a “life-long love for reading”, in school, and at home.

Library:
The children visit the public library once a week. The library provides materials to broaden and deepen the learning experience. The library promotes the enjoyment of reading. In order to cope with the continuing expansion of knowledge, it is vital that each child learns to use their key to lifelong learning.

Art:
The art program focuses on providing guidance, which encourages creative and critical thinking skills, self-expression and the mastery of technique that is necessary to provide a foundation on which to grow.

Gym-Time:
During the physical education program, the children will experience sportsmanship and cooperation during play. They will have the opportunity to make appropriate decisions and accept the help of others in order to improve. The student will have an understanding and knowledge of various games and sports, thus, enabling children to use that knowledge throughout their life.

The Mozart Effect:
During rest period each day, classical music is played for 25 minutes as a method to relax the student and stimulate the mind and body, thus, supporting an atmosphere of learning and creativity.

Field Trips:
Throughout the school year, the Preschool Annex participates in field trips. Field trips are a perfect way to teach children about the world around them. Field trips teach children many things. They help children develop their observation skills. Children use their senses, while exploring, and they see, smell, taste, touch and listen to the things around them to gain new information about their world and themselves.

Parent Involvement:
Parents are welcomed and encouraged to come and spend a day with their child in the classroom. This gives the parent an opportunity to see a full day of activities while helping aid their teacher for the day. Parents are also welcomed to attend all field trips and are encouraged to assist with those trips that require 'added sense of security'.

Year-End Graduation Program:
At the end of each school year, a graduation ceremony is held. This end-of-the-year program is a special time for parents, children and teachers to celebrate the culmination of growth, in the children, throughout the year. It is also a special time for children to show what they have learned and to receive the kudos for a job well done!