Our Mission

The overall mission of the Agape School of Columbus is to provide a foundation of unconditional love, where children are given opportunities to explore, discover and use their creativity to build a quality education and provide a solid foundation for our families.  

Licensing

The Agape School of Columbus is licensed by the Ohio Department of Human Services. The license is posted in the main office. The ODJFS rules and regulations are available in the office as well. The Center’s licensing record, including compliance report forms and evaluation forms from the Health Building and Fire Departments are available upon request from the Department. The Department of Human Service’s toll free number is 1(866) 886-3537 for anyone to use to report a suspected violation by the center.

 

Center Hours

Monday – Friday: 6am – 6:30pm
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

Office Hours

Monday – Friday: 6am – 6:30pm
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

Holiday Closures

  • New Year’s Day
  • MLK Day
  • Presidents Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving and Day After
  • Christmas
  • 2 Training Days, 1 in March and 1 in October

Frequently Asked Questions

Quality of Supervision

Does the Director have a degree and experience in caring for children?

Elizabeth Price has her CDA in Preschool and she is pursuing her degree in Early Education.  Elizabeth has almost a decade of early childhood education experience.  She possesses her Step Up To Quality Career Pathway level 4 and has been with Agape for 7 years.

Have the teachers been trained and continue to be trained on caring for children? Do the teachers have at least an Associate's Degree and experience in caring for children?

All teachers have or are working on achieving a minimum of a CDA Certificate. Most of the lead teachers have degrees/certificate of a related field or they are currently enrolled in a degree program. All staff members are required to complete 15 clock hours of training annually. In addition, our teachers participate in 2 In-service trainings during our Spring and Fall quarters.

Do teachers avoid yelling, spanking, and other negative punishment?

Negative punishment of any kind is prohibited. Teachers address behavior issues by using positive reinforcement, encouragement, and redirection and by making sure they plan a variety of engaging activities.

Is your staff trained?

Yes, Agape faculty are required to follow the state regulations that apply to training. All staff are trained in First Aid/CPR, Infectious Disease Control, Injury Prevention, and Child Abuse Awareness. Additional training in curriculum, child development, classroom arrangement, classroom management, age-appropriate activities, nutrition, field trip planning and OSHA regulations provide the skills needed to create a quality learning environment. The staff is also encouraged to further their education through a variety of Early Childhood Programs and are given opportunities to attend professional training conferences.

Are children watched at all times even when they are sleeping?

Children are supervised at all times.

Are there cameras throughout the facility?

Yes, we actively monitor the cameras to ensure the safety and well-being of our children and staff. 

Growth & Learning

For older children, are there specific areas for different kinds of play (books, blocks, puzzles, and art)?

All rooms are equipped with puzzles, books, art materials, a writing center, blocks, dramatic play, and a natural science area. The materials are organized and refurbished according to interests.

Do younger children have toys that "do something" when played with?

As a part of the REGGIO inspired curriculum, we emphasize playing with natural materials that are traditional and non traditional. All classrooms for infants and toddlers are equipped with a variety of toys and manipulatives including cause and effect toys. As a part of the REGGIO inspired curriculum, we emphasize playing with natural materials that are traditional as far as toys, and also non traditional materials such as counting and sorting rocks, and other elements of nature.

Are there daily or weekly lesson plans available? Will the activities help children learn?

We use weekly lesson plans to promote individualized growth and development.

Do the adults engage children in conversations? Do they ask questions, when appropriate?

Teachers engage children in conversation all day long. They narrate activities and encourage children to verbalize what they are doing and thinking. Teachers listen to children and provide opportunities for them to express themselves. They ask questions designed to expand their vocabulary and deepen their understanding of concepts. Open ended questions spark conversation and encourage children to listen to themselves and to each other.

Do the adults read to the children at least twice a day or encourage them to read if they can read?

Every classroom has a rich collection of nonfiction and fiction children’s literature. Teachers read aloud to children individually and in small groups every day. Teachers select books related to themes but also allow children to select books from their preferred titles. Reading and rereading books provides a critical foundation for literacy. Children are also encouraged to write and use a variety of artistic materials to express their ideas. In addition, we offer an on site library for our children to continue to build a firm literacy foundation.

Meals, Health and Safety

Are food and beverages served to children nutritious, and are they stored, prepared, and served correctly?

Agape is in partnership with CACFP and follows all USDA specified guidelines with portion and nutrition requirements.  All food is prepared and delivered to the classroom in safe, temperature controlled kitchen carts. All kitchen employees are trained using Safe Serve. Infants 12 months and older are served whole milk in partnership with parents. Children 2 years of age and older drink 2% milk. In accordance with the recommendations of the American Pediatric Association, Agape does not serve juice. We serve fresh fruits and vegetables in season and prefer frozen to canned alternatives. Our meals and snacks meet or exceed recommended guidelines for healthy eating and are prepared from scratch in our kitchen. Our Menus encourage children to try a variety of foods in order to develop healthy appetites.

Do adults and children wash their hands before eating or handling food, or after using the bathroom?

Adults and children wash their hands as they enter the classroom, before eating, before and after changing or toileting, before handling food and before and after playing in sand and water tables, and as frequently as possible.
Hand washing signs are displayed near all sinks and on the doors to each classroom to remind parents, teachers and children to wash their hands often.

Are surfaces used to serve food sanitized?

All surfaces are cleaned using bleach solution and soapy water before and after food preparation.

Is playtime / outdoor time available?

Yes, our school is equipped with a large outside play area. We also provide lawn play for our children. The children have scheduled times in the morning and the afternoon to explore their outside world. Our playground is nature driven with minimum commercial products. We encourage our children to dream and imagine while playing.

Do all children have required immunizations?

Agape follows all of Ohio Department of Job and Family Services licensing requirements.

Is there always someone present who has all ODJFS required trainings?

Yes. All teachers and staff are required to maintain all ODJFS required trainings.

Quality of Supervision

Does the Director have a degree and experience in caring for children?

Elizabeth Price has her CDA in Preschool and she is pursuing her degree in Early Education.  Elizabeth has almost a decade of early childhood education experience.  She possesses her Step Up To Quality Career Pathway level 4 and has been with Agape for 7 years.

Have the teachers been trained and continue to be trained on caring for children? Do the teachers have at least an Associate's Degree and experience in caring for children?

All teachers have or are working on achieving a minimum of a CDA Certificate. Most of the lead teachers have degrees/certificate of a related field or they are currently enrolled in a degree program. All staff members are required to complete 15 clock hours of training annually. In addition, our teachers participate in 2 In-service trainings during our Spring and Fall quarters.

Do teachers avoid yelling, spanking, and other negative punishment?

Negative punishment of any kind is prohibited. Teachers address behavior issues by using positive reinforcement, encouragement, and redirection and by making sure they plan a variety of engaging activities.

Is your staff trained?

Yes, Agape faculty are required to follow the state regulations that apply to training. All staff are trained in First Aid/CPR, Infectious Disease Control, Injury Prevention, and Child Abuse Awareness. Additional training in curriculum, child development, classroom arrangement, classroom management, age-appropriate activities, nutrition, field trip planning and OSHA regulations provide the skills needed to create a quality learning environment. The staff is also encouraged to further their education through a variety of Early Childhood Programs and are given opportunities to attend professional training conferences.

Are children watched at all times even when they are sleeping?

Children are supervised at all times.

Are there cameras throughout the facility?

Yes, we actively monitor the cameras to ensure the safety and well-being of our children and staff. 

Growth & Learning

For older children, are there specific areas for different kinds of play (books, blocks, puzzles, and art)?

All rooms are equipped with puzzles, books, art materials, a writing center, blocks, dramatic play, and a natural science area. The materials are organized and refurbished according to interests.

Do younger children have toys that "do something" when played with?

As a part of the REGGIO inspired curriculum, we emphasize playing with natural materials that are traditional and non traditional. All classrooms for infants and toddlers are equipped with a variety of toys and manipulatives including cause and effect toys. As a part of the REGGIO inspired curriculum, we emphasize playing with natural materials that are traditional as far as toys, and also non traditional materials such as counting and sorting rocks, and other elements of nature.

Are there daily or weekly lesson plans available? Will the activities help children learn?

We use weekly lesson plans to promote individualized growth and development.

Do the adults engage children in conversations? Do they ask questions, when appropriate?

Teachers engage children in conversation all day long. They narrate activities and encourage children to verbalize what they are doing and thinking. Teachers listen to children and provide opportunities for them to express themselves. They ask questions designed to expand their vocabulary and deepen their understanding of concepts. Open ended questions spark conversation and encourage children to listen to themselves and to each other.

Do the adults read to the children at least twice a day or encourage them to read if they can read?

Every classroom has a rich collection of nonfiction and fiction children’s literature. Teachers read aloud to children individually and in small groups every day. Teachers select books related to themes but also allow children to select books from their preferred titles. Reading and rereading books provides a critical foundation for literacy. Children are also encouraged to write and use a variety of artistic materials to express their ideas. In addition, we offer an on site library for our children to continue to build a firm literacy foundation.

Meals, Health and Safety

Are food and beverages served to children nutritious, and are they stored, prepared, and served correctly?

Agape is in partnership with CACFP and follows all USDA specified guidelines with portion and nutrition requirements.  All food is prepared and delivered to the classroom in safe, temperature controlled kitchen carts. All kitchen employees are trained using Safe Serve. Infants 12 months and older are served whole milk in partnership with parents. Children 2 years of age and older drink 2% milk. In accordance with the recommendations of the American Pediatric Association, Agape does not serve juice. We serve fresh fruits and vegetables in season and prefer frozen to canned alternatives. Our meals and snacks meet or exceed recommended guidelines for healthy eating and are prepared from scratch in our kitchen. Our Menus encourage children to try a variety of foods in order to develop healthy appetites.

Do adults and children wash their hands before eating or handling food, or after using the bathroom?

Adults and children wash their hands as they enter the classroom, before eating, before and after changing or toileting, before handling food and before and after playing in sand and water tables, and as frequently as possible.
Hand washing signs are displayed near all sinks and on the doors to each classroom to remind parents, teachers and children to wash their hands often.

Are surfaces used to serve food sanitized?

All surfaces are cleaned using bleach solution and soapy water before and after food preparation.

Is playtime / outdoor time available?

Yes, our school is equipped with a large outside play area. We also provide lawn play for our children. The children have scheduled times in the morning and the afternoon to explore their outside world. Our playground is nature driven with minimum commercial products. We encourage our children to dream and imagine while playing.

Do all children have required immunizations?

Agape follows all of Ohio Department of Job and Family Services licensing requirements.

Is there always someone present who has all ODJFS required trainings?

Yes. All teachers and staff are required to maintain all ODJFS required trainings.

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