PEA RIDGE — Ministering to mothers and children and reaching out to the community, Bobbye Jo Dye has begun a Mothers’ Day Out program at First Baptist Church, Pea Ridge.

“We want to give moms a safe place, where their children will be loved on,” Dye said. “Our ministry is not just to the needy or poor, but the middle class as well ... We want to minister tothe community to give moms a break and provide Christ-centered curriculum. It will be like a pre-school.”

Dye, who has her master’s degree in education, knows the need for stay-at-home mothers to have a break from the ceaseless demands of mothering. She has two young children, ages 3 and 6, and is expecting a third.

She works part-time at the church and from home in order to be with her children.

She has taught pre-school in the past.

Jennifer Smith will be the on-site director.

Mothers’ Day Out will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursdays at First Baptist Church, Pea Ridge. It is for children from six weeks to 5 years of age.

Although not required to, the program will follow the state-mandated guidelines for day cares as for student/teacher ratios.

The cost will be $40 a week for 2-5 year-olds and $60 a week for children from 6 week of age to 23 months. There is a one time supply fee of $25 and a one-time registration fee of $20.

Dye said that among the young mothers in Sunday school, she has noticed about half work outside the home and several work from the home.

The church is accepting applications for teachers and students. Children of workers may attend at a discounted rate.

“It will be very structured for the children to learn, play, nap,” Dye said, adding there will be character building and Bible lessons. “Everything our church believes ask teach what they believe.”

“We want to promote growth - physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual. It will be very organized,” Dye said.

News, Pages 1 on 07/28/2010