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Bright Beginnings Learning Center (Bright Beginnings) is a non-profit, Christian childcare and preschool education provider in the heart of Las Cruces, NM and in the middle of the most beautiful outdoor playground and community garden, only two blocks away from the New Mexico State University campus. A ministry of University United Methodist Church (UUMC), at Bright Beginnings we are all about learning to love and serve the triune God and his creation – on an eye level with our students’ fresh and inquisitive minds and big generous hearts! Together with our diverse families, every day we strive towards a perfection of God’s grace so that our little worlds and the big world make more sense through faith explained and lived holistically. When it all comes together, poverty decreases, mental and social health increases, leaders of our community grow strong, and we have created space for all who are willing to live their best life as God has planned for them.
Bright Beginnings provides a safe and nurturing environment for children, families, and our staff to grow and thrive. In our classrooms we facilitate opportunities for children to explore, learn to negotiate with peers, and create unique learning experiences through hands-on activities such as music, art, gardening, free-play, and drama. An academy of learners – from the smallest to the largest – learning together and from each other, creating solutions and making new discoveries every day, and shining the light of God’s peace and liberation in our world.
The University United Methodist Church (UUMC) Community Garden extends the full, one-block length of the UUMC/Bright Beginnings property. By design, the Garden supports outdoor exploration and learning activities for Bright Beginnings children. From raised beds sized for preschoolers, special seating for story time, and partially enclosed play areas, the Community Garden serves as an excellent option for scavenger hunts, outdoor play, and learning about nature. A true ‘community garden’, visitors are welcome to walk the garden or the prayer labyrinth, pick fruits and vegetables as they are ready, and work in the garden – sporadically, or on scheduled workdays
(Tue. & Fri. mornings from 8am-11am).
New to Bright Beginnings is the establishment of international “Sister Schools”. We are currently working to develop ongoing partnerships with two schools – one in Nigeria and one in Ireland. Stay tuned as we navigate this exciting landscape to share experiences and learning with our sisters and brothers – young and old alike – across the world!
Bright Beginnings is proud to partner with the Las Cruces Methodist Children’s Home (MCH). MCH offers advocacy and support; connection to resources; and case management.
All services are confidential and free to eligible families. Call 575-222-0177 for more information, or visit the MCH Website (live link to: https://www.mch.org/locations/las-cruces/).
A sister church to University United Methodist Church, El Calvario [live link: https://resiliencylc.org] is located in the historic downtown area of Las Cruces. A hub for community mission and service, the Commercial Kitchen Incubator of El Calvario provides meal service for Bright Beginnings, include breakfast, lunch, and snack each day. We are grateful to be able to support community entrepreneurship while reaping the benefit of healthy, nutritional, and great tasting food for our children and teachers!
