Precious Hearts Daycare
Serving families of greater Millville through holistic, moral and developmentally appropriate practices.
Serving families of greater Millville through holistic, moral and developmentally appropriate practices.
Every member of the PHD staff is CPR certified.
Shelva Calhoun
Executive Director and Head Teacher
Shelva and her husband Ron will be married 50 years in July, 2009. Shelva and Ron have 3 adult children and 7 grandchildren.Shelva holds a B.S. in Secondary Education, a M.A. in Religion and an M.A. in Biblical Studies. She taught grades 9-12 her first year of teaching. She and Ron were married and moved to another state where she was asked to teach third grade. When Ron became a pastor, they moved and she taught in a one-room school house teaching grades K-8. That means she has taught all grades. Shelva and her husband then went to South Africa as missionaries where they spent 37 years. Shelva taught in Bible College including degree level classes and served as Academic Dean. She has experience in all levels of teaching as well as training teachers and leaders. She has experience in administration. When Shelva and her husband returned to the States to “retire”, she began investigation and research for daycare on behalf of Millville Church of the Nazarene. Precious Hearts Daycare opened its doors on September, 2008. The dream is becoming a reality.
Kalena Thompson
Director
Kalena was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in the suburbs above Pearl Harbor. She has a BA in liberal arts and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies. She has worked as a youth leader, training young people to minister using dramas. Watching young people minister to each other and grow spiritually has been so heart warming. She has also worked as an administrative assistant for a church, Christian school and Christian radio station. In those capacities she didn't see herself as being capable but “with the Lord all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). Kalena found that with God's help she was not only capable but did an exceptional job. God has blessed her with a love for children and a desire to show them how much he loves all of us. Becoming the director has been an answer to prayer.
Susan Gardner
Assistant Director
Susan, as the second oldest of six children, learned at an early age to take care of children. By age 12 she was trusted to babysit her siblings and neighborhood children. She enjoyed doing this and wanted a future with children in it. After graduating from high school, Susan studied at Cumberland County College. She now has her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education and a Certificate in Directors' Program. She has served as an aide and a substitute school teacher for the Millville Board of Education over a period of 12 years. Susan was involved in preparing policies and procedures for Precious Hearts Daycare. She finds it an uplifting and positive experience to work with Christian people. Her calling is to love and care for children and look out for their safety. Susan has 2 girls of her own. Her dream is to complete a degree in Early Childhood and someday become a daycare director.
Barbara McDowell
“Floater” Caregiver and afternoon staff supervisor
Barbara has raised 6 children and has 14 grandchildren. She has been active in children's work in the church for many years. She presently works at Millville Senior High School in the cafeteria but comes to Precious Hearts morning and afternoon to help wherever needed. She is loved by all the children (and co-workers). Barbara is a great blessing to Precious Hearts Daycare.
Millie Welch
Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
Millie is the oldest girl of a family of nine. She has two grown sons and one grandson. She has been an active teacher since age 17 (Sunday School, Girl Scouts and Children’s Church). She has an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education (Ashworth University). She has worked 11 years with children in a Crisis Group Home. She has also worked at a daycare as a relief teacher and administrator Assistant. She currently works part time as a church secretary. God laid a love of children on Millie’s heart when she was still a young girl and He has given her many opportunities to fulfill her heart’s desire. Now that she is serving as administrative assistant, she feels she gets the best of both world–greeting parents and interacting daily with children. She says, “What joy this brings my heart! Our God is an awesome God!” Millie continues education through various monthly classes/workshops in the field of childcare.
Michelle Ross
Lead Teacher and Caregiver for Little Lambs (6 weeks - 12 months)
Michelle is a high school graduate and has earned some credits at Cumberland County College in early childhood education. Michelle has raised 4 children of her own (the youngest currently 10 years old), cared for nieces and nephews and done church nursery work “my whole life.” Michelle joined Precious Hearts Daycare in January. She loves babies and believes God led her here. She is a firm believer in singing, reading and praying with infants. “They are God’s gift to us—tiny little miracles that should be loved and cherished.”
Sandra Dennis
Assistant Teacher and Caregiver for Little Lambs (6 weeks - 12 months)
Sandy is a high school graduate and also holds a medical assistant diploma from Star Tech Institute. She is currently enrolled in the nursing program at Cumberland County College. She has a CNA license and is CPR certified. Sandy has been a childcare provider for the past 16 years. She is active in her church (True Praise Ministry in Hammonton, NJ), is married to an elder and is the mother of 8 children. She says, “The Lord is my Helper. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
Carol Hitchner
Lead Teacher and Caregiver for Tiny Tigers (9-18 months)
Carol is a graduate of Vineland High School, a mother of 3, and grandmother of 3. Carol previously worked at a daycare but wanted a fulltime position. She is a recent addition to the Precious Hearts family but is a great asset. Carol envisions going back to school to earn a bachelor's in education. She loves “to take care of little ones.”
SherryLynne Pierro
Part-time caregiver for Tiny Tigers (9-18 months)
Sherry graduated from Vineland High School and took some courses at Cumberland County College. She homeschooled her 3 daughters. One is a college graduate; the second is a college student, and the youngest in a senior in high school. Sherry has worked in church nurseries for over 35 years.
Serlelar (Lela) Glenn
Lead Teacher and Caregiver for Playful Puppies (1 ½ - 2 ½ years)
Lela graduated from Millville Senior High School in 2008 and enrolled in Cumberland County College. She is presently undecided as to her major but is interested in nursing. She has a certified nurses' aide certificate. Prior to joining the Precious Hearts family in March 2009, she did home babysitting, taught children at church, and worked at a daycare. Lela loves working at Precious Hearts. “I love the Christian environment. I felt the love as soon as I walked in the door.” She has felt welcomed and honored to work at Precious Hearts.
Marisol Telapia
Assistant Teacher and Caregiver for Playful Puppies (1 ½ - 2 ½ years)
Marisol is a high school graduate who has also completed a year's study at Cumberland County College. She plans to enroll in the University of Delaware to study for a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. Marisol has experience with little ones through caring for nieces and nephews as well as working previously at a daycare. She sees children as our future and loves to help them learn. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. Marisol says, “Since the first day I started [at Precious Hearts Daycare], I knew I was in a Christian atmosphere. It's awesome working with people of God. The school has staff that are patient and have hearts to work with precious lambs!”
Jasmine Glenn
After school aide for Playful Puppies (1 ½ - 2 ½ years)
Jasmine is currently in her last year at Millville Senior High School. Prior to working at Precious Hearts Daycare, she had experience in babysitting and assisting at a daycare. Jasmine loves children, loves teaching them new things and also enjoys learning new things herself.
Nikole Pangburn
Lead Teacher and Caregiver for Frisky Foals (2 ½ years and up)
Nikole is a high school graduate and is currently pursuing an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching Certificate from Post University, Waterbury, CT. She has worked with children from infancy to age five in her local church. Nikole loves children and teaching. She says, “What better place to fulfill both passions than in a Christian daycare center!”
Hannah Merki
Part-time Caregiver for Frisky Foals (2 ½ years and up)
Hannah graduated from Millville Senior High School in 2009 and is currently a student Cumberland County College majoring in elementary/secondary education. She plans to earn her Associate's degree at CCC and transfer to Rowan University to get her bachelor's. Hannah has been working at Precious Hearts since we opened in September '08 (afternoons after school). She says “I have enjoyed building relationships with the children, their parents and my co-workers, as well as being able to show them God's love.”