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Feeling the Love
Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: April 2023
Highlands Community Child Development Center boosts its reach with the addition of a pair of preschool rooms at The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation.
Like a sunny beacon of hope and learning, the Highlands Community Child Development Center has strengthened its mission to serve the littlest member of the community (and their families) with the addition of two new preschool rooms at The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation.
Generations of children whose parents work in Highlands (this writer’s son included) have relied upon the loving care and tender lessons offered at this quiet landmark, just one block off Main Street behind First Presbyterian Church of Highlands and now in the Church of the Incarnation on Main Street.
Director Pat Hedden and her staff ensure that these kids receive a safe place to play and rest and – this is important – are introduced to the fundamentals of reading, math, and computer skills. When the children graduate at age 5, they’re socialized and ready for school.
“We love what we do, and I think the children can feel that love,” says Miss Pat (you’d be hard-pressed to find any child or parent over the last 40 years who calls her Mrs. Hedden). “It really makes a difference when they know that they’re being cared for by people who love them.”
The center relies upon the generosity of local groups and individuals – Old Edwards Inn & Spa, The Rotary Club of Highlands, Mountaintop Rotary, Bel Canto, Cullasaja Women’s Outreach, Dogwood Health Trust, The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, The Hack Foundation (Gerry & Avary Doubleday), Fibber Magee’s, and Mountain Findings. And, of course, this being the Plateau, the list can go on and on and anyone left off should consult this writer for a correction in a future issue – blame it on me, not those good people who keep everything going.
That’s quite a lot of support from a lot of organizations, but the center still relies upon generous contributions from individuals. If you’d like to contribute, visit highlandscommunitychildcare.org.
