Early Education

at grace community school

A Christ-centered education.

Grace Early Education offers Christ-centered education for children eight weeks to four years old in both Tyler and Lindale, Texas. In Lindale, Grace offers a two-day-a-week Mother’s Day Out program.

Grace Early Education isn’t like any other daycare. From the playground to the classroom, we apply Christ-centered love for children to truly educate and grow them into who God made them to be. We seek to provide holistic care, and to us, that means helping your child grow spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually.
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Kindergarten Readiness

As a parent, you want to give your child the best possible start to school. Who will teach and care for my child? And what will my child be learning each day? are questions you’ve likely asked yourself. Alignment between school and home is crucial in these early years, so that the lessons you are modeling at home are reinforced — not deconstructed — at school.

At Grace Early Education, we believe in the right combination of learning and loving: learning key fundamentals for kindergarten readiness and nurturing the love of Christ for healthy social and emotional development. 

As a parent, you will see your child:

  • Master new skills through play, movement, music, and biblical integration of developmentally appropriate content
  • Practice social skills through positive interactions, while also learning how to get along with classmates and correct ways to deal with feelings and emotions
  • Establish a lifelong love of Christ through dedicated Bible lessons, biblical integration in the classroom, and attending chapel starting at age 2 
  • Receive individualized attention with two teachers in every classroom, assuring  your child isn’t going to get lost in a crowded environment

At Grace Early Education, we’re laying the groundwork for a strong academic foundation at every stage:

Our Frog Street Press curriculum (infancy through age 4)  uses themes, stories, poems, dancing, and music to make content engaging, accessible, and seamlessly integrated. Your child will learn the essentials for reading and math. 


Our Footsteps for Fours curriculum (ages 4-5) is from Bob Jones University Press and has Christian values woven into each lesson. Through themes, songs, and activities, little learners are taught values and social skills alongside primary academic principles. Daily phonics, pre-reading activities, and math lessons explore foundational skills while music, science, language arts, social studies, and handwriting exercises give little learners opportunities for exploration and engagement. 


Our Sing, Spell, Read, & Write curriculum  (ages 4-5) teaches alphabetic principles, phonemic awareness, sound/letter correspondence, short vowel sounds, blending, and handwriting, all in a fun and engaging way. 


Our art, music, and theater lessons (infancy through age 5) bring out each child’s inner artist, fostering and instilling creativity, and rounding out a Grace EE education. 

Classrooms

Little learners benefit from an environment where they don’t have to compete for attention, where they will be known, loved, and seen. At Grace Early Education, we have two teachers in every classroom, ensuring personalized attention and individualized assistance.

ClassroomsTeacher to Child Ratio
INFANTS (8 WEEKS +)2 to 10
TODDLERS2 to 12
TWO YEAR OLDS2 to 14
THREE YEAR OLDS2 to 15
FOUR YEAR OLDS2 to 16
K4 (Four and Five Year Olds)2 to 17

At the end of our early education program, your child will be confident and prepared for kindergarten. Our preschool graduates are well-rounded with a comprehensive academic and biblical foundation, and the social skills necessary to interact with peers and adults respectfully. They’re reading, writing, and have mastered basic math skills. Oh, and our graduates can also continue building on those skills at Grace Community School (K-12)

As a Grace Early Education family, you have priority access to Grace Community School through a simplified application process, which makes for a seamless transition to elementary school. Learn more by visiting www.gracetyler.org.

“The best thing we could have done for our girls was to start them at Grace Early Education and then make the transition to Grace Community. Grace allows us the opportunity to continue with faith-based learning and for us to provide our daughters with a strong community.”

THE HEARN FAMILY Parents at Grace EE

350

Students

85

Faculty

2

Locations

Years

Experience

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Meet Our Directors

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Amy Bowles

Early Education Assistant Director, Tyler

Amy Bowles

Early Education Assistant Director, Tyler

Amy has been at Grace Early Education since 2022. She feels called to share the love of Christ with infants and their families. She lives in Tyler and enjoys spending time with family, especially her nieces and nephews. She loves to lead worship and write, and she hopes one day to write a series of books for young children. Amy is grateful to be part of a community that loves people so well.

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Gail Brown

Early Education Executive Director

Gail Brown

Early Education Executive Director

B.A., LeTourneau University

Gail has worked at Grace Early Education since 2008 and has worked in the early education field for more than 35 years.  Gail feels she was called to work with younger children; their pure hearts bring her so much joy!  She and her husband, Jerry, live in Lindale, where they were both born and raised. She is the proud mom of three adult children, Paige, Macie, and Brennan, and currently has eight grandchildren but anticipates more. Gail enjoys anything outdoors, especially hunting and being on the lake.  She and her husband love traveling and attending all of their grandchildren’s activities. Gail says Grace is her extended family. The staff and families love big, support each other in the good and hard times. She feels blessed to call Grace Community her home away from home.

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Sara England-Jones

Early Education Assistant Director, Tyler

Sara England-Jones

Early Education Assistant Director, Tyler

Sara has worked at Grace Early Education since 2016. She has taught many different age groups, from three-year-olds all the way to After School Care. She lives in Tyler with her husband Jason, a baby boy, and an amazing bonus daughter, both of whom also attended the EE. Sara enjoys participating in theatrical productions, traveling, and loves curling up with a podcast or a good history book. Grace has been a huge support for her family, both professionally and personally. Getting to partner with the EE families every day is so rewarding, and supporting the teachers as they teach our littlest cougars about Jesus’ love means that every day is a blessing!

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Shanequa Fleming

Early Education Office Assistant, Tyler

Shanequa Fleming

Early Education Office Assistant, Tyler

Shanequa joined Grace Community School Early Education as a K4 Teacher in 2023.  She received her Associates of Art degree from Northeast Community College and is completing her bachelor’s degree in Communications.  She earned her Registered Behavioral Health Certificate.  Shay has enjoyed working with children at the Andrew’s Center and Mentoring Alliance.  She attends and is involved with her Church home, Church of the Pines.

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Ainsley Garner

Early Education Administrative Assistant, Tyler

Ainsley Garner

Early Education Administrative Assistant, Tyler

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Jessica Huddleston

Director of Curriculum & Instruction

Jessica Huddleston

Director of Curriculum & Instruction

M.S., Stephen F. Austin State University

Jessica serves as the Director of Curriculum & Instruction for Grace Community School. She began her career as a high school and college mathematics teacher in 2003. She joined our high school mathematics department at Grace in 2013. She has also served as the mathematics department chair, TAPPS Academic Coordinator, and TAPPS Mathematics Coach. Since 2018, she has served as Director of Curriculum & Instruction and the Purposeful Design Director (STEM). Jessica received her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from The University of Texas at Tyler, her master’s degree in Mathematics from Stephen F. Austin State University and completed her administration certification at The University of Texas at Tyler. Jessica is certified as a Legacy Master Teacher and Principal. Jessica and her husband, Craig, have a daughter, Randi, who is a 2024 alumni of Grace.

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Macie McCoy

Mother’s Day Out Director, Lindale

Macie McCoy

Mother’s Day Out Director, Lindale

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Melissa Miller

Early Education K4 Curriculum Director Tyler & Lindale

Melissa Miller

Early Education K4 Curriculum Director Tyler & Lindale

After 7-plus years of teaching at Grace Early Education, Melissa Miller can now invest in teachers and give back what she was given. As a teacher, Melissa can confidently say that she has “never experienced a workplace where the administration and staff love, pray for, and support one another,” as she has found at Grace. Now, being a part of the Admin team allows her the opportunity to pour into teachers, students, & families just as she was poured into. Melissa’s favorite moments in her day are when she can show Jesus’ love & redemption to a child. She says every day is an adventure in caring & loving the littles. Melissa & her husband, Steve, have lived in Tyler for 8 years now. She feels blessed to have three adult children, Logan, Cory, & Savannah, and two beautiful granddaughters. In her spare time, you can find her reading C.S. Lewis and Francine Rivers, journaling, or spending time with family and friends.

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Kenisha Milton

Early Education Assistant Director, Tyler

Kenisha Milton

Early Education Assistant Director, Tyler

Kenisha started her career in Early Childhood Education in 2008 and found it one of the most rewarding jobs. To be able to set the foundation for little minds brings me such happiness! My favorite verse, and one that I live by, is ” Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” Proverbs 22:6. Kenisha has worked for Grace since 2017, and soon came to realize that there is no other place that you can proudly proclaim your love for Christ. Being a part of the Grace Community has helped me with my spiritual walk, and for that, I am forever grateful. Kenisha and her husband, Porter, have been married for 19 years and have two daughters. In my spare time, I enjoy event planning and crafting, and I love working with flowers.

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Rhonda Mladan

Early Education Curriculum Director Tyler & Lindale

Rhonda Mladan

Early Education Curriculum Director Tyler & Lindale

Rhonda has been involved with our Grace campuses for many years.  She was a proud parental support when her children attended the school.  Now that her children are grown with families of their own, she continues supporting Christian education through her work in the EE.

Rhonda worked at our Lindale location for 13 years before transitioning into her new role.  She is currently working in both of our locations, helping to support and structure our curriculum.  

During her almost 48 years in childcare, she is blessed to say that nearly 15 years have been at Grace.  Rhonda loves what she does, and her enthusiasm for it shows each day.  

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Stefanie Morse

Early Education Administrative Assistant, Lindale

Stefanie Morse

Early Education Administrative Assistant, Lindale

Stefanie is a devoted mother to her two beautiful children, Brentlynn and Wesson. Born and raised in Lindale, she has a deep love for her community and her Grace family. Stefanie finds joy in serving her church, family, and friends, always striving to positively impact the lives of those around her. She thrives in the summertime, cherishing every moment spent outdoors, whether gardening or simply enjoying nature. With a heart full of faith and love, Stefanie embraces life with warmth, dedication, and gratitude. 

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Leah Rickelman

Early Education Director, Lindale

Leah Rickelman

Early Education Director, Lindale

Leah Rickelman has worked at Grace Early Education since 2016, where she has had the privilege of working with children across all age groups. Leah found her passion for childcare and has dedicated her career to nurturing young minds and setting a strong foundation for their early years. Leah and her husband, Tristan, have two children, Olivia and Rhett, and live in Frankston, TX. Leah loves reading, spending time outdoors with her family, and raising farm animals. Leah is grateful for the personal and professional growth she has experienced since joining Grace, and what’s been the most rewarding for her is that the people she works alongside are her sisters in Christ. She wouldn’t be where she is in her walk with God without their constant mentoring, love, and support.

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Victoria Spencer

Early Education Director, Tyler

Victoria Spencer

Early Education Director, Tyler

Victoria joined the Grace EEC-Tyler team in 2013. She began working with children at an early age; her first job was at a local gym and then expanded to babysitting and nannying for those families. After graduating from high school, she coached volleyball and mentored girls in elementary, middle school, and high school. Victoria was fortunate to stay at home with her son for almost two years after he was born. Then, when she returned to work, she chose Grace EEC and said the community blesses them. Her son attends Grace Community School.

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Choosing the right childcare center for your child is a really big decision.

What’s most important to you? Is it a flexible schedule? Plenty of playtime and learning? Christian values? There’s a lot to consider when thinking about your child’s first introduction to the classroom environment. 

We believe children are never too young to start learning, exploring, and discovering. From infants all the way up to our pre-k classrooms, we provide a solid educational and biblical foundation. With two teachers in every classroom, our faculty and staff not only make lessons engaging and fun, they also model Christian values and set a positive example for little learners. ​​ 

We want to be sure we’re the right fit for your family. At Grace Early Education, our enrollment process begins with a tour — in-person or over the phone. We want the opportunity to get to know you and for you to get to know us. Every family is unique and a conversation will help us determine how we can best meet your specific needs. 

Here are three easy steps for enrolling at Grace Early Education:

1. SCHEDULE YOUR TOUR2. PUT YOUR NAME ON A WAITING LIST3. ENROLL
Fill out the Schedule a Tour form for our Tyler or Lindale location and be on the lookout for an email from us.Classes at Grace Early Education fill up quickly! Once you decide we’re the right childcare center for your child, we encourage you to put your name on our waiting list and pay the $25 fee.You’ll be able to enroll once we can ensure space in the classroom is available. Grace Early Education accepts new students year-round.
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