Loving Hearts Learning Place, the Southminster Presbyterian child care ministry, celebrated its one year birthday on Tuesday August 10th, 2010. Co-directors Sarah Maples and Starla Hilgert, are quite enthsiastic about the growth that has taken place, both in student body and in staff. One year ago Loving Hearts Learning Place opened its doors with 12 teachers and 20 students. Today, Loving Hearts serves 80 plus students and employs 24 teachers, 2 directors, and an assistant director, Charlotte Chappell. The center has recently opened one additional classroom and now has two age appropriate playgrounds complete with a tricycle track. Plans are in the works for a Day Camp for the summer of 2011. This will be for elementary age up to 5th grade. The staff of Loving Hearts Learning Place has identified age appropriate goals in the areas of social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and physical development and encourages each child to actively and creatively explore his world in order to provide that child with a successful start in life-long learning. Southminster has been pleased to be able to offer this ministry to Franklin Township and the surrounding community.