The Child of God Preschool has 7 staff members. To be hired, a person must meet all of the state licensing requirements including a background check. Also be willing to obtain ongoing training.
Our educators are required to obtain training in First Aid/CPR, child abuse recognition, communicable disease recognition, and they must also obtain at least 6 hours of training per year in child development topics and attend periodic staff meetings.
We are pleased to announce that we have staff members who have a child development associate (CDA) credential. (120 hours of college classes)
Educator Directory
Nancy Higgins- Administrator
I was born in Ohio and am the mom of 3 children. I began my career working with children in 1991. I have an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Zane Trace College. I also attended Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with my husband, obtaining training in the area of supportive ministries. My husband Wes and I pastor a church in Granville. I have been the director of Child of God Preschool since 2001. I love working with children and seeing them grown and learn. In my spare time
My mission at Child of God Preschool: I want children to feel safe and to learn about God and his love while at preschool. My goal is to help children build self-confidence, independence and social skills that will set them up for future academic success.
Birthday- April 26
Hobbies- reading, hiking, biking, kayaking and going to the movies.
Favorites- Candy- Lindor truffles, Ghiradelli caramel filled chocolates, MM’s. Color- Pink, Restaurants- Puerto Valarta, Chipotle, Subway, Texas Roadhouse, and City BBQ. Stores- Kohls, TJ Max and Maurices.
Trish Frey- Head Teacher Ocean Room
I am Miss Trish and I have been teaching at Child of God since 2006. I have been a stay at home mom to two children, and a state tested nursing assistant.
My mission at Child of God Preschool: I want children in my classroom to have a great first preschool experience. I provide a creative curriculum where children learn academic and social skills through play and hands on learning. It is important to me that each child feels safe and nurtured in my classroom. I believe each child is a gift from God and we are blessed to be a part of their lives.
Birthday - February 7
Hobbies- Gardening, scrap booking, cooking and baking.
Favorites- Candy- Red Licorice, Color- Red, Restaurant- Olive Garden.
Hilda Chapman- Assistant Teacher Ocean
I have been teaching at Child of God Preschool since 2002. I have earned my CDA in Early Childhood Education. I previously worked in banking and also in the insurance field. I found my place in teaching. I live with my husband and son and I attend Family of Faith Community Church.
My mission at Child of God Preschool: I want children to experience the love of Jesus in my classroom. I want them to feel secure enough to express themselves freely at they play and learn.
Birthday- November 23
Hobbies- Gardening, reading, exercise and sewing.
Favorites- Candy- Hershey Kisses, Color- Blue, Restaurants- Texas Roadhouse, Tumbleweed, Subway and Tim Horton's.
Krysten Forgette- Head Teacher Rainbow Room
I am a central Ohio native that enjoys spending time outdoors, crafting, gardening and interior design. My passions are my three beautiful daughters, my family, teaching and spend time in the Bible. I am an assistant in the Rainbow room and have been a parent here for several years.
My mission for Child of God Preschool - I strive to provide a safe, loving and caring atmosphere as the children learn and grow with one another while learning the Bible and the ways of Jesus Christ.
Birthday- February 21
Hobbies- Crafting, Gardening and Interior Design.
Favorites- Candy- Mallow Cups, Reese's Cups, Snickers, Hersheys kisses, Color - Green, Restaurants - Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Chipotle, and Panera.
Lisa Ellis- Head Teacher Garden Room
I graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Food Science and Technology and worked for nine years in the industry in western Ohio. My husband and I moved to the Licking Valley area and I became a stay at home mom with my two boys. I have been teaching at Child of God Preschool since 2005 but I have been a part of the preschool family since the beginning. Both of my sons are Child of God graduates. The preschool has been a blessing to my children, to me as a parent and now as a teacher.
My mission at Child of God Preschool: To be a tool in helping each child reach their potential in becoming the lifelong learner that God created them to be
Birthday- March 6
Hobbies- Gardening, books and movies.
Favorites- Candy- anything chocolate, Color- Earth Tones, Restaurants- Mongolian BBQ, Olive Garden.
Amanda Eberts- Assistant Teacher Garden Room
I started teaching at Child of God in 2023. I graduated from The Ohio State University (2006) and Heidelberg University (2015) and have a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in music education. I taught general music and art for grades PK-8. I am married and have 2 daughters that have both attended Child of God.
My mission at Child of God Preschool: To provide a safe, loving, fun and creative preschool experience that will inspire our students’ educational, emotional, social and spiritual growth through play, exploration and prayer.
Birthday- Dec. 10
Hobbies- Reading, anything outdoors, gardening and decorating.
Favorities- Candy- Anything fruity Color - Pink Restaurants- Jimmy Johns, Starbucks and Texas Roadhouse
Dineen Fregonas- Assistant Teacher Rainbow Room
I started teaching at Child of God in 2022. I have a degree in baking and pastry arts and I have been in that field
For the past 12 years. I have recently moved to Newark from central Ohio. I enjoy spending my days with my daughter.
My mission at Child of God Preschool: I want the children in my class to have a safe, loving and caring atmosphere all while learning about Jesus Christ.
Birthday- February 7
Hobbies- Traveling, cooking, baking, crafting and gardening.
Favorites- Candy- 3 Musketeers Color - Pink Restaurants- Chipotle, Wendy’s and Starbucks.