Community Preschool operated for nearly 50 years at First United Methodist Church in Galesburg, serving generations of families.
It closed in the fall of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing declining enrollment and uncertain funding.
Now a new preschool could be operating at the 120 N. Kellogg St. site as early as next fall.
“The feelings that were happening in the community, the disappointment and sadness of Community Preschool closing, we felt the same feelings here. We felt as if something was empty,” said Liz Alexander, Pastor of Family Ministries for First United Methodist. “Not only were we missing the people, but we were missing the fulfillment of the need in the community.”
Alexander said an informal survey of the community showed there are long waiting lists at other preschools and daycares since the closure of Community Preschool.
The church is now in the initial stages of researching planning for a preschool and is looking for a future director.
Community Preschool got started in 1971 with financial support from a member of First United Methodist Church. While the preschool was housed at the church, it remained a separate entity.
That’s one way a new preschool would be different.
“We would like the relationship between the people of First United Methodist Church and the preschool to be able to interact a little more. And in order to be able to do that, it’s easier if it becomes a part of the church, rather than its own entity,” Alexander said.
Another issue when Community Preschool closed its doors three years ago was a state fire marshal inspection that called for some potentially expensive building updates.
Alexander said the church obtained copies of the inspection and already received a couple grants to get the building up to code and make it ADA-accessible.
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