Little Lions Playschool to open this fall

FINDLAY — When First Presbyterian Church Nursery School closed its doors in May, former director Carol Smith decided to build upon the legacy and launch Little Lions Playschool. The new half-day, play-based preschool is preparing to open this fall at St. Marks United Methodist Church in Findlay. "I have been in childcare since I was in high school," Smith said. "I started researching and met with Pastor Dan and Curynn Dewitt over at St. Marks Church. I had several meetings with them and they also had a vision to open a preschool." Rooted in faith-based and imaginative learning, Little Lions Playschool aims to nurture young learners ages three to four through hands-on experiences building curiosity and confidence ahead of kindergarten. The preschool's name pays tribute to the stained glass mural of a lion at the entrance of St. Marks. "It's preparing them for going into kindergarten, which is now all day," Smith said. "We offer two and a half hours of preparation, not only for the child, but for mom and dad, because some kids have never been away from their parents." Each class day includes a balance of learning and play with circle time, stories, snacks and outdoor activities. "Snack is probably the most important part, that and recess, those are the big two," Smith said. "We offer snack time because it allows open communication with the kids and we work on manners and it opens tons of dialogue. It gives some of the kids opportunities to try different things that they might not try for their parents." A variety of class schedules will be available to meet each family's needs. For three-year-old kids, classes run Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11:30 a.m. For four-year-old kids, options include a Monday, Wednesday and Friday schedule from 9:30 a.m. to noon (with a fourth day option for Tuesday) or a five-day schedule Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Smith said interest in the community has been strong. "We've been received really well," Smith said. "A lot of old families that we've already had in the past have followed us and some that couldn't but are still supporting us." While preparing to open in the fall, Smith is working to get the proper licensing and inspections, including the necessary health clearances and filing with the state. Helping support its launch is Anchored Sports, a relatively new faith-based, family-run recreation center on Bigelow Avenue. They will be hosting a community fundraising event on Saturday from 1-8 p.m., with food trucks, music, mini golf, games, raffle tables and vendor booths. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Little Lions Playschool. "All three of our kids went to the preschool that Carol taught at," co-owner of Anchored Sports Jeremy Scheiderer said. "I also went to the same preschool. We've had really good experiences and we loved the play based theme and the faith that's around that." Co-owners and husband and wife Jeremy and Courtney Scheiderer opened Anchored Sports in July 2024 at the former Swing Time location. The sports center offers mini golf, batting cages and a driving range, but at the heart of its mission, it serves as a space for the community, Jeremy Scheiderer said. "For Anchored Sports, we're really anchored in our faith, but also anchored in the community," he said. "Being able to partner with different nonprofits in town, doing fundraisers, that's something that's really important to us out there. Just being that safe place for everybody to come hang out is important and then giving back to the community." As Little Lions prepares to open in the fall, Smith plans to continue the work that she and the staff at FPCNS started. "My staff and I wanted to continue doing what we're doing," Smith said. "God just kind of placed this all together." For Anchored Sports, the recreation center wants to continue to support initiatives like Little Lions Playschools and continue to invest in the community. "My wife and I both grew up here in Findlay," Jeremy Scheiderer said. "Having that ability to give back to a place that we grew up in and into the people that invested in us, I think it's important as a small business owner to reinvest back into that community." Fall registration is currently open and can be found on the Little Lions Facebook page, where families can also find any additional updates.