Saint Mary Magdalen Early Learning Center 

710 Spring Lake Road 
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 
407-831-3740 

In March of '87 the Early Learning Center (formerly called the Child Center) opened anticipating a need to provide quality child care to the children of working parents. It has proved to be a very successful endeavor and has been expanded to accommodate an ever growing waiting list. Children of families who are supporting parishioners are the priority on our waiting list.  It is a full service center with programs for preschool, after school care through 8th grade, summer programs and much more. The personnel is well-qualified and well trained to respond to every little crises, to provide support and praise, and to communicate the gentleness of the Lord. 

The center is open 6:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday through Friday. Rates vary depending on need and every effort is made to make it affordable. The center is non-profit and self-supporting so rates are competitive but usually lower than area centers of comparable quality. Because most or the children continue on through our elementary school, there is relatively little turnover. Most of our staff belong to the parish also so we are blessed with very talented, experience and dedicated teachers and aides. 

Fully licensed through HRS, staff is fingerprinted, background screened and trained per requirements. Facilities are inspected regularly by the local health department and fire department. Up-to-date immunization and physical records are monitored as well. All these are open to public inspection and will show an excellent history of quality care. Staff is encouraged to exceed minimum training requirements and all teachers and assistants have degrees in early childhood education and/or CDA certification. 

One unexpected result of this project is the way it has drawn young families into the life of our parish community. Parents and children come to share socially and spiritually in the vibrant activities that surround us here. There seems to be something for everyone and people are secure and comforted by familiar faces and routines. There is a genuine outreach at the center as well as from parish staff to make new members feel welcomed and encouraged to share their time and talents with us.