A Unique Community
We appreciate parents' trust in GLCM, and we couldn't do it without our experienced and friendly teachers. We recognize that a consistent environment helps children thrive, and are very proud of our average teacher tenure of service at GLCM to be more than 14 years.
Interested in teaching at GLCM? Please reach out to us - we look forward to hearing from you!
Good Beginnings That Never End
Gethsemane Lutheran Children’s Ministry is an outreach of the Gethsemane Lutheran Church. The church itself has a long history having first been established in Austin in 1974. We are a licensed child care facility, in full compliance with all Minimum Standards established by the State of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and we maintain a Texas Rising Star accreditation Four-Star rating!
Child care and early learning programs that achieve Texas Rising Star accreditation, offering quality care that exceed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Child Care Regulation (CCR) minimum standards, are in a better position to positively affect the physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development of children. As programs advance through the levels of Texas Rising Star certification, they are increasingly able to positively affect the development of the children they serve daily.
Gethsemane Lutheran Children’s Ministry (GLCM) offers year round full-time and part-time childcare and preschool education for children from 6 weeks to 6 years in Austin, TX. Our program emphasizes Christian values of love and trust, justice and peace, cooperation and human dignity, and is designed to meet the emotional, social, physical, cognitive and spiritual needs of children through a variety of activities and experiences. Our dedicated staff members are friendly and caring with decades of combined experience. GLCM fosters an environment where children thrive – our mission is “Good Beginnings That Never End.”
GLCM has grown to caring for more than 100 children each year without sacrificing our low child-to-staff ratios. In addition to the lengthy tenures of several of our staff, GLCM director Ms. Valerie has been guiding the center for more than 19 years, ensuring dedicated staff are hired and retained and the program curriculum is enriched.
Having first opened in 1987, GLCM has a long history in the Austin community. Children who attended in the past are now enrolling their own kids in our program!
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Gethsemane Lutheran Children’s Ministry (GLCM) is designed to meet the needs of children through an inclusive preschool program that offers a variety of activities and expressions while providing an environment that emphasizes the basic Christian values of love, trust, peace, cooperation, and respect.
GLCM is a safe and affirming environment that promotes acceptance of all children and families. GLCM does not discriminate against any child because of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, and political or religious belief. All reasonable attempts that are within the capabilities of staff will be made to accommodate any child with special needs.
While the orientation of GLCM is Christian, it is recognized that families participating in the program come from a wide variety of religious backgrounds. The GLCM program is offered in the context of respect for the basic human dignity of all persons, regardless of differences.
A Strong Community
Our Philosophy
GLCM is truly unique compared to other child care programs. Our low child-to-staff ratios ensure children get the attention they need in a caring environment that allows teachers to focus more individually on their children. Like the children enrolled in the program, our teachers come from diverse backgrounds, providing exposure to different cultures and traditions.
The objectives of the GLCM program are:
- To create a happy and secure environment for each child.
- To encourage children to develop a positive attitude toward learning, teachers, and others.
- To encourage good listening and verbal skills.
- To provide play activities which aid in growth and development.
- To encourage growth without pressure.
- To encourage development of problem-solving abilities and creativity.
- To help each child develop a positive self-image, acknowledging that every child is a special creation of God.