Children 6 weeks-18 months old
For stability and consistency, each child will be assigned a primary caregiver. Primary caregivers ensure a sense of trust with each child. Caregivers develop this bond through consistent, predictable, and reliable care.
Babyginners:
approx. birth-10 months
Bailey Lafevor-Smith,
Baby-ginners Co-Lead Teacher
Bailey has been with Heaven’s Elect since 2022 and holds Lead Teaching credentials from Delta College. She has undergone over 180 hours of training in child development, specializing in infant and toddler care. With six years of experience working with children, she is well-equipped to provide the best care and education for our little ones.
Bailey sees working with young children as a blessing and cherishes the baby snuggles and cuddles she receives daily. She enjoys singing, playing, and engaging in art activities with the infants. Her favorite part of working with children is watching them grow and achieve new things.
Bailey was raised in a church environment and her parents have played a key role in guiding her in her relationship with Christ. She relies on faith in God to lead and direct her daily. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her husband, family, friends, and her dog and cat. Bailey also has a passion for outdoor activities, swimming, reading books, and painting.
Faith Clark,
Baby-ginners Co-Lead Teacher
Faith has been with Heaven’s Elect since 2021. She graduated from Mid-Michigan Community College with her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has over three years of professional experience working with children.
Growing up with a large family, Faith has had many an opportunity to be surrounded by children. For many years, she has enjoyed serving in her church’s ministry. Faith believes that children have an endless capacity for learning regardless of age or stage of their development. As a toddler teacher, she strives to support each child’s development by providing the opportunity for hands-on exploration that supports their interests.
Faith is very involved in her church. Her relationship with God affects her teaching in many ways. She believes that children are a gift from God and a wonderful creation. She strives to treat every child how God would see and treat them. As a follower of Jesus, she feels blessed to be given this opportunity to teach God’s little ones.
Outside the classroom, Faith enjoys spending time with her family, playing basketball and horseback riding, and, most importantly, enjoying the life God gave her.
1st Steppers:
approx. 10 months-18 months
Jolene Leonard,
1st Steppers Lead Teacher
Jolene has been working at Heaven’s Elect since early 2022. Her path to early childhood education started after two years of studying business marketing at Northwood University. She has completed over 100 hours of training and is close to finishing her Child Development Associate Certificate in Infant and Toddler Development. With more than three years of hands-on experience, Jolene is dedicated to the well-being and growth of the children in her care.
God has always been a significant part of Jolene’s life. She sees her relationship with God as a safe space and strives to make choices that bring her closer to Him daily, even at work. Jolene’s educational philosophy is rooted in her strong belief that young children learn best through repetition and play. She encourages self-help and confidence by establishing a strong foundation of trust. This mirrors her nurturing nature and dedication to creating a warm and loving classroom environment.
When she’s not working with our little ones, Jolene enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and playing with her dog.