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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.