Childcare – Little Lights Early childhood

A BRIGHT NEW BEGINNING IS ALMOST HERE

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Little Lights Early Childhood … an expanded ministry of Triumph that will provide all-day, Christ-centered childcare at our Moorhead Campus for children from 6 weeks old through the start of kindergarten, while continuing to offer our quality half-day preschool programming at both our Moorhead and West Fargo Campuses.

Our official opening day is Monday, November 30, 2026.

After many months of prayer, planning, remodeling, and preparation, we are almost ready to welcome more than 100 children and their families into a safe, joyful, faith-filled environment. At Little Lights, children will be known, cared for, encouraged to learn and play, and reminded every day of the love of Jesus.

Expanding this ministry is only possible because of the incredible generosity of our congregation through the Greater Campaign. Thank you for giving, praying, and believing that God can use this ministry to create lasting opportunities to serve children and families throughout our community.

Enroll today!

Registration opens to the public on Monday, September 28, 2026.

Registration is available by clicking HERE and link to this page. Triumph and Current Little Lights families will have the opportunity to register one week early, beginning Monday, September 21, 2026.

If you have questions about enrollment, availability, or whether Little Lights is a good fit for your family, please contact us.

FAQ’s

What is Little Lights Early Childhood?

Little Lights Early Childhood provides children with a high-quality educational experience in a Christ-centered environment. Children have opportunities to explore and learn about God, themselves, and the world around them.

Our program supports the spiritual, social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of each child through developmentally appropriate activities, nurturing relationships, and biblical truth.

Who will Little Lights serve?

Little Lights Early Childhood will serve children from 6 weeks through 10 years of age.

Our all-day childcare program will serve children from 6 weeks through the start of kindergarten, our existing half-day program will continue serving preschool and pre-k children, and school-age care will also be available for qualifying children through age 10.

When will the program begin?

Little Lights Early Childhood is scheduled to open on Monday, November 30, 2026.

We are excited to begin serving children and families before the end of the year and to grow this ministry in the years ahead.

What are the hours?

Little Lights will be open year-round during the following hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

The earlier Wednesday closing time allows space for church activities. Little Lights will be closed for major holidays and scheduled professional-development days; a full calendar will be available soon.

Where will Little Lights be located?

Every day at Little Lights is intentionally designed to nurture the whole child; spiritually, socially, emotionally, cognitively, physically, and creatively.

Teachers will use play-based, hands-on, and multisensory learning experiences, including:

Bible stories, worship songs, and prayer

Storytelling, dramatic play, early literacy, and emergent math

Science exploration, art, music, and sensory activities

Outdoor play and fine- and gross-motor development

The S.M.A.R.T. Program to strengthen school-readiness skills

Through these experiences, all children will grow in problem-solving, communication, cooperation, self-regulation, curiosity, perseverance, and care for others.

Biblical truth will be woven throughout the day. Children will learn that God is their Creator, His Word is true, Jesus loves them, and their lives have purpose. We will teach, model, and practice Christian values in everyday routines and relationship. Values such as love, kindness, honesty, obedience, forgiveness, gratitude, respect, service, and responsibility.

Our goal is to partner with families as children develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning and discipleship.

What will children experience each day?

Every day at Little Lights is intentionally designed to nurture the whole child; spiritually, socially, emotionally, cognitively, physically, and creatively.

Teachers will use play-based, hands-on, and multisensory learning experiences, including:

Bible stories, worship songs, and prayer

Storytelling, dramatic play, early literacy, and emergent math

Science exploration, art, music, and sensory activities

Outdoor play and fine- and gross-motor development

The S.M.A.R.T. Program to strengthen school-readiness skills

Through these experiences, all children will grow in problem-solving, communication, cooperation, self-regulation, curiosity, perseverance, and care for others.

Our goal is to partner with families as children develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning and discipleship.

Who will lead and staff Little Lights?

Little Lights Early Childhood all-day programming will be led by Sarah Wolf. Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a specialty in Mathematics and brings extensive early-childhood experience. Her background includes home childcare, paraprofessional work, leadership of West Fargo and Fargo school-age programs, and serving as director of a childcare center in Fargo.

Sarah will be assisted by Dana Mitzel and Nicole Smith, who have been vital to the success of Triumph’s part-time preschool program, ensuring the incredible 30-year history of Little Lights education will be integrated into every part of the day. Together, they will be supported by the larger Triumph ministry team.

Each classroom will have qualified teachers and assistant teachers or aides. All teaching staff will meet or exceed state requirements for education, training, and experience.

How will Little Lights provide a safe environment?

The safety of every child is a top priority at Little Lights. The Little Lights wing will remain locked throughout the day, and parents and authorized staff will use key fobs to access the camera-monitored building and secure childcare entrance.

Staff members will be selected carefully for their qualifications, teaching experience, Christian character, and sensitivity to the individual needs of young children. All staff will complete required background checks and state-mandated training, and they will maintain current certification in Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED training.

We will also follow Minnesota’s required staff-to-child ratios:

Infants, 6 weeks to 16 months: 1 staff member for every 4 children

Toddlers, 16 to 33 months: 1 staff member for every 7 children

Preschoolers, 33 months through the start of kindergarten: 1 staff member for every 10 children

School-age children, kindergarten through age 10: 1 staff member for every 15 children

What will it cost?

Weekly tuition varies by the age and program of each child:

Infants, 0–24 months
$335 per week

Toddlers, 2 & 3 Year Olds
$320 per week

Preschool, 4 & 5 Year Olds
$305 per week

School age, school year
$185 per week

School-age no-school days
$25 per day

School-age summer care
$280 per week

How do families register?

Registration will be completed through our childcare software, Brightwheel.

Early registration for Triumph and Current Little Lights families opens: Monday, September 21, 2026

Public registration opens: Monday, September 28, 2026

That link will be available HERE on those dates.

*Note that registration does not guarantee a spot.

How can our church and community help?

Little Lights will flourish because it is a ministry supported by the whole church. Here are four meaningful ways you can help:

(1) Sign up your children

If Little Lights may be a fit for your family, register when enrollment opens. Space will be limited, so we encourage interested families to take their next step promptly.

(2) Pass along the news

Tell friends, coworkers, neighbors, and young families you know that trusted, Christ-centered childcare is opening at Triumph! A personal recommendation may help connect a family with the care they need.

(3) Pray

Please pray for the children who will come, the families who will be served, and the staff who are preparing to lead with wisdom, energy, and love.

(4) Continue supporting the ministry

You can continue supporting this ministry through giving to Greater and by purchasing needed items from our Amazon Wish List. The rooms have been remodeled and prepared; now we are working to fill them with toys, books, supplies, and learning materials.