Established in 1985
We hope our website will provide you with the information needed to find safe, caring, and educational childcare for your child.
TLC Center is the proud owner of two childcare facilities, licensed and registered with the city of Great Falls and the state of Montana. Both are Stars to Quality participants as well as Early Head Start collaborative sites and participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) providing a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. We accept Best Beginning Scholarships (state-paid childcare assistance).
TLC Center BLC is located in the Bethel Lutheran Church, a one-level handicap-accessible building. We are a Star Four facility having five classrooms divided by age, a large gym, and two fenced outdoor environments/playgrounds.
TLC Center GFC is also located at the Great Falls College with six classrooms, spacious commons areas, and three outdoor fenced playgrounds featuring entrances directly into each classroom. We are also a Star Four facility.
Elizabeth Olson is the Owner/Manager with over 20 years of childcare experience and is a certified CPR First Aid Instructor.
Crystal Kist is the Executive Director, with 19 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Director Level II credential, has her Bachelor's Degree with a major in Early Childhood Education, Dual CDA's, is a certified CPR and First Aid instructor, and a Professional Development Specialist Level II with the ECP (Early Childhood Practitioner Registry), and an Infant Toddler Professional Development Specialist with the Child Development Associate Council. (CDA).
Madison Ameline is the Director of the TLC Center at Bethel Lutheran and has 12 years of childcare experience, she is currently attending college to work towards a degree as well in Early Childhood Education.
Alexandra Olson is the Director of the Great Falls College Location, with 7 years of childcare experience, and an Associate's Degree majoring in Early Childhood Education. She is the granddaughter of the original owner, Debra Blank, and the daughter of the current owner Elizabeth Olson.
Check out the “Our Staff” tab for a complete list of all the staff at both locations.
We are open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. We are licensed for 140 children ages newborn to 12 years of age. We offer both full-time/full-day and part-time childcare and preschool. Fees are based on the age of the child and days of attendance. More information is available on the “FEES & REGISTRATION” tab. We work with families with varying work schedules and accept the Best Beginnings Scholarship offered through Family Connections as well as Childcare Aware, the subsidy program for our armed forces service men and women.
Our Primary teachers have the educational qualifications, knowledge, and professional commitment to support your child’s learning and growth. All staff is CPR/1st Aid certified, and required to take the following minimum training in order to meet licensing requirements:
Together we grow - 3 hours
Infant Safety Essentials - 2 hours
New Staff Health and Safety Orientation - 6 hours
Early Childhood Essentials - 3 hours
MISSION STATEMENT The mission of TLC Center is to provide high-quality early childhood care and education that meets the individual needs of each child and family in a safe, developmentally appropriate, educational, and fun environment. Children are encouraged to be independent thinkers and life-long investigators.
VISION STATEMENT The vision of TLC Center is to be a leader in the childcare community by providing superior quality early childhood education and a social environment where children can learn and be motivated by their teachers and peers.
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
Children thrive in a relaxed, happy, responsive, and loving atmosphere with opportunities to explore, collaborate, play, and communicate with his/her contemporaries. We believe that each child who comes to TLC Center is a unique individual. We encourage children to develop social skills, gain emotional competency skills, and further their educational and physical development. We believe children need a mixture of formalized instruction and free play to stimulate and foster creativity, imagination, and curiosity.
Each child, to have real security, needs to know that there are limits beyond which he/she may not go. A child must have the support and guidance of the teachers to help him/her stop when they are over-stimulated, hurting others, or being destructive. A child needs order to his/her day on which he/she can count on, but which is still flexible enough to meet his/her needs.
The most important function of TLC Center is to provide a safe, friendly, happy environment that will give each child a chance to grow and develop to the best of his/her ability. We believe both the child and the family benefit by sharing this experience.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; - fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.