Our Mission
We know that finding high quality child care can be a challenge. At HTLC our core values include care for one another and love for our neighbors. Noah’s Ark Child Development Center is one way we seek to care for our community.
Noah’s Ark offers young children the highest quality of care in which to grow, learn and develop physically, spiritually, intellectually, and socially. Students, or “friends” as we often call them, do not need to be Christian or Lutheran to attend our school. Noah’s Ark admits and cares for students of any race, color, or National/ethnic origin.
Together we are committed to advocating for whatever resources are necessary to provide the highest quality of care possible for our littlest friends and their families. It is an honor to serve our community in this way!
Highlights
- State qualified through IQ4K – Iowa Quality for Kids – approaching our Level 3 certification and 50 years of dedicated programming
- Decades of experience with core teaching staff and leadership
- Flat rate billing, providing families with flexible scheduling
- A small program means you get to know all of the staff and they get to know your child
- Core teaching staff in each room
- Strong sense of community – children and families establish friendships that last
- Growing summer school aged program helps Noah’s Ark friendships last into elementary school and beyond
- Hands-on, Child-centered, Play-based learning
- Provides opportunities that support holistic development
- Curriculum researched and aligned with Iowa Early Learning Standards across all programs in the areas of math, literacy, social-emotional development and more
- Family and community events
- Monthly, family led play dates
- Weekly chapel for preschool friends
- Community meals with vibrant youth programming on Wednesday Nights at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
- Dedicated, hard working, educated staff, with very low turnover
Vision
Noah’s Ark’s primary focus is to serve the children and families of the Dubuque community through early childhood development and education in a Christian setting.
At Noah’s Ark, we strive to ensure that all our children feel loved, respected, and supported so that they can grow and learn to their fullest potential.
We keep our caregiver-to-child ratios low so that children can receive individual attention when necessary and also feel the freedom to interact with their peers in a safe, nurturing environment.
Our staff members are each highly trained educators and caregivers and thrive on engaging with the children in their care in meaningful, fun and interactive ways.
They offer feedback and updates to parents and guardians throughout the day and on an ongoing basis so that families are included in their child’s care and education.
Most importantly, the Noah’s Ark staff is committed to developing relationships with the children and families that are based on trust and openness so that everyone feels confident that the level of care and education their child receives is the best it can be.
Leadership
Jenifer Montgomery, Executive Director
Jenifer has a degree in elementary education from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master’s Degree in educational administration from St. Ambrose University.
Jenifer is certified as the Director of a licensed childcare facility by the Iowa Department of Human Services. She taught for seven years before moving into the role of Director at Noah’s Ark in the summer of 2019.
Jenifer is passionate about the Dubuque community, and the critical role early childhood centers play in the development of children. As a mother to young children herself, Jenifer “gets it” – she is here to help ease your mind as your family makes big life transitions with your young children.
Programs
The Monkey Room is for our youngest children. We enroll children beginning at 8 weeks of age. Our infant program is unique – we only enroll 4 infants at a time and the children have the same primary caregiver for all of our operating hours. We value the importance of your infant being in the hands of somebody who has formed a special bond with your child and knows his or her unique needs.
The Bear Program brings relief to parents as we strive to put structure and consistent routines in the classroom as children approach their 1st birthday. We know that children do best when their day is predictable, and we make this a primary focus in this classroom. Children spend their awake time actively playing and engaging with their caregivers. Our teachers physically get down on the floor and interact with the children with smiles and laughter.
The Crocodile Program is for our older one-year-old children. In this class children begin to show more independence. They sit at tables rather than high chairs, have sinks at their own height for hand washing, and transition to one nap on a cot. We believe self directed play provides the best learning opportunities, and the classroom environment fosters such experiences.
Turtle
Younger Two-Year- Olds
The Turtle Program is for our two-year-old children who are ready for the excitement of toddler life! This program is also play based, with teachers working one-on-one with children to reach goals of independence, self regulation, and academic skills. Our state of the art classroom was includes two toddler height trainer toilets and sinks. Our staff partner with parents through the potty-training process in this classroom.
Hippo
Older Two-Year-Olds
The Hippo Program incorporates a transitional preschool for our two-year-old children. Children often turn 3 while in the Hippo Program. They have daily circle time where they focus on shapes, colors, numbers, and letters. You begin to see curriculum and activities that you’d imagine your child would experience in preschool. We believe children need time to play and interact with their peers. Our staff facilitate these peer relationships by actively involving themselves in play.
Lion
Three Years
The Lion Program is for three-year-old children. Children must turn 3 by September 15 to enroll in this program. Children attend a morning preschool class with other children their age, and often join our 4 year old friends in the afternoon with our licensed teachers. This makes the Lion Program highly unique in our community and ensures your child is receiving the best care and education throughout the entire day.
Giraffe
Four & Five Years
Noah’s Ark participates in the state funded preschool program for four-year-old children. Noah’s Ark offers 12 hours of the free preschool. Class meets 8:30-11:30 Monday through Thursday. Children must turn 4 by September 15 to qualify for the state funded program. Children who are 5 may attend this program at a cost to families. We focus on Kindergarten readiness skills. Our teachers assess where your child starts and strives to help them reach future goals. We pride ourselves on being a play-based program that incorporates learning naturally into what your child is interested in doing.
Cheetah
School-Aged Summer
Children completing Kindergarten through 3rd Grade may enroll in the Cheetah Program. This is a highly structured, educational, and exciting summer program, created with your child’s best interest at heart. We will incorporate reading, math, STEM, art, physical and social-emotional activities daily. Your child will continue to learn through the summer with a more relaxed, hands on, play-based approach than they are used to during the school year. We also take field trips in the community!
Our Spaces
Bright, updated classrooms and big room space provide ample space to learn and grow
