Bright Beginnings Preschool at Ankeny First United Methodist Church

Bright Beginnings Preschool at Ankeny First United Methodist Church Our preschool programs provide opportunities for a child to realize his or her own potential as a two, three, four, or five-year-old person.

Each program is specifically stuctured for the developmental age level of the child enrolled. The Ankeny First United Methodist Preschool is the result of the beginning efforts of Aileen Godell, a church member, who felt there was a need to reach out into the community to help meet the needs of children. Licensed by the State of Iowa, the four-year-old program has been in existence since 1964, and

the three-year-old program since 1981. Our three-year-old, four-year-old, and five-year-old programs provide meaningful preschool experiences in a learning center environment. We offer children a wide range of learning experiences which focus on themes that are central in the children's lives, such as community helpers, holidays, farm life, dinosaurs, colors, shapes, the five senses, and many other areas of interest. We are pleased to also offer a preschool program for toddlers. Parents' Morning Out is for families who wish to enroll their two-year-olds (or un-potty-trained three-year-olds) in a preschool environment 1-2 mornings a week. The first day of preschool is the Tuesday after Labor Day. Preschool typically follows the Ankeny School District calendar in regard to vacations and school closings.

"I can do it!" Those four little words represent some pretty big growth during the preschool years. Every day at Bright ...
08/31/2026

"I can do it!" Those four little words represent some pretty big growth during the preschool years. Every day at Bright Beginnings gives children opportunities to become more confident and independent. They learn to make choices, follow classroom routines, take care of their belongings, clean up after activities, try something before asking for help, and take responsibility for age-appropriate tasks.
And sometimes independence means discovering, "I can't do this YET, but I can keep trying." These everyday moments build confidence, persistence, and skills that help prepare children not only for kindergarten, but for life.
We love watching "Will you help me?" slowly become "Look what I did!" ❤️

We've practiced our routines, talked about saying goodbye, and started getting excited for preschool. Now it's time to C...
08/26/2026

We've practiced our routines, talked about saying goodbye, and started getting excited for preschool. Now it's time to COME PLAY! 🎉
Join us Friday, August 28, for our Bright Beginnings Preschool Play Date!
This is a chance for children to:
❤️ Meet their teachers
👋 Meet some new friends
🧸 Play together
🏫 Become more comfortable with the preschool environment
For children who may feel a little nervous about starting school, simply seeing familiar faces when they return in September can make a big difference. And for those who are already counting the days until preschool? Come have some fun with us! 😄
Don't forget:
📚 Meet the Teachers Night — September 3
🎉 First Days of Preschool — September 8–10
We can't wait to begin another year where faith, friends, and learning grow together!

The countdown is over—it’s time to COME PLAY! ❤️ We can't wait to welcome our Bright Beginnings preschoolers for a fun c...
08/25/2026

The countdown is over—it’s time to COME PLAY! ❤️ We can't wait to welcome our Bright Beginnings preschoolers for a fun chance to:
👋 Meet new friends
❤️ Spend time with teachers
🧸 Play together
🏫 Get comfortable before the school year begins
Whether your child is counting down the days until preschool or feeling a little unsure about something new, today is all about helping Bright Beginnings begin to feel familiar. Come play, explore, and start making new friends. We can't wait to see you!
And just like that...our Countdown to Preschool is almost complete! 🎒 Next up:
🍎 Meet the Teachers Night — September 3
🎉 First Days of Preschool — September 8–10

Where faith, friends, and learning grow together. ❤️

Some of the most important things children learn in preschool aren't found on a worksheet.How do I join a group that's a...
08/24/2026

Some of the most important things children learn in preschool aren't found on a worksheet.
How do I join a group that's already playing?
What do I do when someone else wants the toy I have?
How do I tell a friend how I feel?
How do we solve a problem together?
Preschool gives children a safe place to practice sharing, taking turns, listening, communicating, cooperating, and working through disagreements with caring adults nearby to help them learn.
And somewhere along the way, something wonderful happens: They make friends. ❤️ Those relationships help children develop confidence, empathy, kindness, and a sense of belonging.
At Bright Beginnings, faith, friends, and learning really do grow together.

Starting preschool is a BIG adventure, and everything feels a little easier when you've already seen some familiar faces...
08/21/2026

Starting preschool is a BIG adventure, and everything feels a little easier when you've already seen some familiar faces.
Next Friday, August 28, Bright Beginnings families are invited to come play!
❤️ Meet teachers
👋 Meet new friends
🧸 Play together
🏫 Get more comfortable before the first day
No pressure. No first-day goodbyes. Just a chance to come have some fun and begin making Bright Beginnings feel like YOUR preschool. We can't wait to see you!

📅 Preschool Play Date — August 28
📚 Meet the Teachers Night — September 3
🎉 First Days of Classes — September 8–10

Does my child need to know all their ABCs before preschool? Nope! Preschool is where children COME to learn. Letters, nu...
08/19/2026

Does my child need to know all their ABCs before preschool? Nope!
Preschool is where children COME to learn. Letters, numbers, shapes, stories, and early academic skills are part of the journey, but being ready for preschool is about so much more.
Can your child begin learning to...
⭐ Follow simple directions?
⭐ Communicate what they need?
⭐ Try something new?
⭐ Play alongside other children?
⭐ Clean up after an activity?
⭐ Ask an adult for help?
And they don't have to have mastered those things either. We're here to help them learn! Send us a child who is ready to play, explore, make friends, and grow. We'll meet them where they are. That's what preschool is for. ❤️

It may look like children are "just playing," but there's a whole lot of learning happening! At Bright Beginnings, play ...
08/17/2026

It may look like children are "just playing," but there's a whole lot of learning happening! At Bright Beginnings, play is an important part of how children explore their world. Through blocks, art, dramatic play, books, writing, puzzles, and other hands-on activities, children are developing skills they'll use for years to come.

🧱 Building develops problem-solving and early math skills.
🎨 Creating strengthens fine motor skills and imagination.
🏠 Pretend play builds language and social skills.
🧩 Hands-on activities encourage persistence and critical thinking.

And while all that learning is happening, children are making choices, trying new things, and discovering just how much they can do. That's why we believe play isn't a break from learning; play IS learning!

The countdown is on, and we want to hear from our preschoolers and families!What are you most excited about when Bright ...
08/14/2026

The countdown is on, and we want to hear from our preschoolers and families!
What are you most excited about when Bright Beginnings starts again?

🎨 Creating something amazing?
🧱 Building and playing?
📚 Story time?
🎵 Singing songs?
❤️ Seeing old friends or making new ones?
🙏 Chapel?

Parents, ask your preschooler and put their answer in the comments! 👇 We can't wait to hear what they're looking forward to most.

For some children, one of the biggest parts of starting preschool isn't learning letters or meeting new friends. It's sa...
08/12/2026

For some children, one of the biggest parts of starting preschool isn't learning letters or meeting new friends. It's saying goodbye to you. ❤️
You can begin practicing now with short separations from trusted adults. When preschool begins, try creating a simple goodbye routine: a hug, a kiss, and the same reassuring words each time: "I love you. You're going to have fun. I'll be back!" Then let the teacher take it from there.
Children take their cues from the adults they trust. A warm, confident goodbye helps communicate: You're safe here. Your teacher will care for you. And I always come back. There may still be tears, and that's okay. Learning to separate is part of growing in confidence and independence.
Before long, that difficult goodbye may turn into, "Bye! I'm going to play!" 👋❤️

Each week, Bright Beginnings preschoolers gather for a special Chapel time created just for them! Much like a Children's...
08/10/2026

Each week, Bright Beginnings preschoolers gather for a special Chapel time created just for them! Much like a Children's Time during worship, our 10–15 minute Chapel includes age-appropriate Bible stories, songs, prayer, and a monthly Bible verse and theme.
Through stories they can understand and songs they can sing long after Chapel is over, children begin learning a simple but important truth: God knows them, God loves them, and they are part of God's family. ❤️
Faith isn't something separate from the preschool day at Bright Beginnings. It's woven into how we learn, play, care for one another, and grow together.

Address

206 SW Walnut Street
Ankeny, IA
50023

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm

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