For many families, choosing the right childcare center is one of the most important decisions they make after their child is born. Parents and guardians seek an environment where children can learn and grow the skills they need to thrive in school and throughout life.

That's the mission behind The Academy at Life Fellowship, a nonprofit early learning center at Life Fellowship Church in McKinney. By providing reliable childcare for busy families, the academy strives to help children build strong academic, spiritual and emotional foundations.

What age groups does The Academy at Life Fellowship serve?

The Academy at Life Fellowship provides care for infants to school-age children—6 weeks to 12 years—and each program is tailored with an age-appropriate curriculum. At The Academy, learning begins long before children enter a preschool classroom. 

For infants, teachers focus on creating nurturing interactions that support early brain development. Staff members talk and sing to babies throughout the day, helping them develop language skills and build important neural connections during the earliest stages of growth.

As children grow, the curriculum evolves alongside them, guiding teachers’ instruction and monitoring developmental milestones, from gaining fine-motor skills to learning to read.

“As children get older, thinking moves from concrete to abstract intellectually,” CEO Nelson Eagle said. “So, we're ready for that, providing activities that encourage that development for learning pathways in their brain. Our Experience Learning curriculum helps create those pathways in the brain that are vital to the development of skills.”

For school-age children, the academy offers before- and after-school programs that include homework support, recreational activities and opportunities to continue developing social skills outside of the classroom. During school breaks and summer months, children can participate in field trips, sports camps and enrichment activities designed to keep learning fun and engaging.

Who are the teachers at The Academy at Life Fellowship?

The Academy places a strong emphasis on maintaining comfortable routines and creating an environment where children feel cared for and valued. That starts with the teachers and staff the children interact with every day, Eagle said.

“The kind of teacher that we want in every classroom [is] that teacher who makes children’s lives happy and joyful and excited to come back the next day,” Eagle said.

According to Eagle, who has nearly five decades of experience working in early childhood education, one of the academy's guiding principles is making every day special for every child. Eagle believes children are better equipped to learn when their physical, emotional and social needs are met.

“It helps children develop a joy of life,” he said. “A happy child is a child who's ready for learning.”

That philosophy also shapes The Academy's approach to discipline and behavior guidance; teachers offer children pathways rather than roadblocks in their behavior.

The result is an environment designed to help children develop confidence, self-regulation and healthy relationships with peers and adults—skills that can benefit them long after they leave preschool.

Teachers and staff also undergo background checks, adding another level of security to the learning environment in addition to video cameras throughout the property, including around the playground, to document the day.

The Academy also uses a facial-recognition security door lock system to ensure safe and controlled access to the learning center, especially during drop-off and pick-up times.

What does faith-based learning mean at The Academy at Life Fellowship?

The Academy is sponsored by Life Fellowship Church, and thus operates with a service-oriented mindset focused on supporting the whole family. Eagle said families do not have to be involved with the church or the Christian faith to attend, and families from all backgrounds and faith traditions are welcome.

“The faith part of it is: faith in God and faith in fellow man,” he said.

Because of the center’s connection to the church, families have access to its resources such as life groups, family counseling or crisis support. Eagle said The Academy’s relationships director can help connect families and introduce them to meaningful relationships within the community.

A family-centered approach

Most of all, The Academy wants to emphasize values such as kindness, respect and caring for others through its culture of teaching and learning, and mission to help children and families flourish.

“If you care, it's so easy to make a day delightful, and that's our goal; that we make the days delightful,” Eagle said. “One of our mottos is that we make every day special for every child, and I would say 99% of the time we accomplish that.”

Learn more about The Academy at Life Fellowship’s programs and schedule a tour here:

What ages does The Academy at Life Fellowship serve?

The Academy serves children from 6 weeks to 12 years old, with programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, Pre-K students and school-age children, including before- and after-school care.

How does The Academy support children's growth and development?

The Academy focuses on the whole child, helping children develop academically, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Teachers use age-appropriate activities and curriculum designed to build skills, confidence and a love of learning.

How is faith incorporated into the learning experience?

The Academy welcomes families from all faith backgrounds while incorporating faith through prayer, Bible stories, Christian music, character development and weekly chapel. The focus is on teaching kindness, gratitude, compassion and purpose in age-appropriate ways.

What makes The Academy different from traditional childcare centers?

The Academy's approach goes beyond supervision and daily care by emphasizing child development, school readiness and family partnerships. Leaders say the goal is to help every child become an active learner while providing resources and support for families along the way.