30-04-2025
‘We've built more than a school:' ChristKids celebrates 25 years with Silver Spring Fling
Twenty-five years ago, the goal to open a center that would serve local children and their families became a reality at Christ Lutheran Church.
Located on Tulare Avenue in Visalia, the school is an outreach to the community that offers private faith-based subsidized child care and preschool classes for children ages 2 through 5.
'ChristKids is a place where every child will experience quality child care that prepares them for kindergarten,' said Noel Thompson, director of youth ministry at Christ Lutheran. "They will leave our preschool knowing that they are always loved by God, no matter what.'
Planning for the school began in the 1990s and it took over nine years for a dedicated team to create a licensed preschool center.
'It's a gift to the children and a gift to the congregation,' said retired pastor Barry Vail, a key members of the team that established ChristKids. 'It really is a gift that keeps on giving.'
On May 3, Christ Lutheran Church members and ChristKids staff, students and their families will gather to honor the school's 25th anniversary for their Silver Spring Fling. The celebration includes free food trucks, a silent auction to raise money for upgrades to the facility and scholarships for future students.
It's also a time for the community to meet the school's new director, Tiffeny Nunes. She was hired as the Christ Kids Preschool & Childcare director in November.
'I can say with joy and confidence that what truly sets us apart is our deep commitment to nurturing the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—in a loving, Christ-centered environment," Nunes said. "For over two decades, we've built more than a school. We've built a faith-based community where children feel safe, known and celebrated."
During the event, families are encouraged to tour classrooms and view the artwork and projects the students have created.
'Our goal for this year's fundraiser is twofold; to celebrate the legacy of love and learning that ChristKids has cultivated over 25 years and to raise funds to invest in the future of our school—enhancing our classrooms, upgrading playground equipment, and expanding resources for both spiritual and academic development. As well, as building our scholarships fund," Nunes said. "We want this Spring Fling to be a joyful gathering of past and present families, supporters, and staff—a true reflection of the heart of ChristKids. Together, we can plant seeds for the next 25 years of impact.'
In recent months, the school has expanded to offer child care for children as young as 2 years old.
This change was made to accommodate more families looking for quality child care for toddlers in Visalia and to allow the school to remain open as more parents are choosing to send their children to free preschool and TK programs offered on public elementary school campuses.
"Our passionate teachers go beyond early academics; they guide children in kindness, compassion, creativity, and curiosity—all rooted in the teachings of Jesus," Nunes said. "From our small class sizes to our individualized care, from joyful worship songs to hands-on learning, Christ Kids is a place where children grow with purpose and families feel supported every step of the way.'
California has a significant unmet need for affordable child care, with only a fraction of eligible children receiving subsidized care, according to California's budget and Policy Center. The state needs to make "significant and sustainable investments" in expanding subsidized child care options, particularly for infants and toddlers, according to the center's website.
The demand for subsidized child care has outpaced supply. An analysis of 2022 data shows the continuation of this trend, underscoring the need for a larger supply of subsidized child care spaces in California.
A 2022 Current Population Survey, the latest data, shows that the number of preschool age children enrolled in all U.S. schools, both federally funded and private, increased by 13%, from 40.3% in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, to 53.3% in 2022 when the pandemic emergency ended.
With the cost of living steadily increasing, more parents are being forced to find affordable child care for younger children, and options for private child care centers in Tulare County are limited.
Families can apply for assistance through Connections for Quality Care with Tulare County Office of Education
What: ChristKids Silver Spring Fling
When: Saturday, May 3 from 5-7:30 p.m.
Where: Christ Lutheran Church, 3830 W. Tulare Avenue in Visalia
Who: CLC members and all ChristKids families and staff (past and present)
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: ChristKids celebrates 25 years in Visalia with Silver Spring Fling
