Child Care at Trinity
Trinity Child Care provides a Christian, loving, caring, secure, and educational environment for children ages 33 months to five years old (not yet in kindergarten) and is an outreach ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church & School.
Scheduling Options
- Drop-in care
- 2-3 days per week
- 4-5 days per week
- 1-5 hours or 5-10 hours per day
What To Expect
- Full-time, part-time, and drop-in care
- Year-round child care Monday-Friday from 6:30 am – 6 pm (closed major holidays)
- Staff-child ratio 1:10
- Licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services
- Licensed Christian teachers
- Hot lunch available
- Christ-centered values
- Educational, theme-based curriculum
- A program designed to fit with Trinity’s existing preschool program or as an independent choice for child care
- Safe, nurturing environment
Daily Schedule
- Arrival activities (toys, manipulatives, reading, etc.)
- Gym time
- Group time (theme, story, calendar, songs, etc.)
- Snack time
- Center time
- Jesus time
- Large motor/outdoor time
- Prayer
- Lunch
- Quiet play/rest time
- Structured independent learning
- Spanish
- Stretch & Grow class
To contact Child Care Director Stephanie Genske for additional information, to meet teachers, or visit classrooms, use the form on this page or call 952-442-4165.
Contact Trinity Child Care
Stephanie Genske – Child Care Director
Stephanie joined the staff at Trinity in 2000 in a new position of Director of Children’s Ministry. She graduated from Concordia University, Mequon Wisconsin in 1988 with a BS in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education. She has served as a preschool/child care teacher, a home childcare provider for 14 years while being actively involved in her church and children’s school. Stephanie grew up in Waconia and returned here after school along with her husband Kristopher, who she met at Concordia. He is originally from Frankenmuth, MI. They have three children, Ashley married to Eric Lona, Joshua married to Carmen who have 2 of the most amazing little boys, Landon and Grayson and Kortney, who is a attending SMSU.
Stephanie’s free time is spent reading, running, walking her dog, gardening, cheering on her children and relaxing with family. She loves a good Hallmark Christmas movie anytime of year.
“ See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1 This verse is a constant reminder of that love that is ever present and life changing. People need to know that they are loved!
Amanda Winkelman – Child Care Teacher
Amanda Winkelman’s favorite Bible verse is a prayer for her students, her family, and herself and one that she has treasured for many years because it speaks so greatly of the power of the Gospel. Amanda joined the teaching staff at Trinity Lutheran Childcare in August of 2017. She graduated from Concordia University Chicago in 2003 with a degree in Theology and her Director of Christian Education certificate. She has served as a preschool teacher, stay-at-home mother, and an active volunteer for many years. Amanda and her husband Matt both hail from Illinois, but have quickly made Minnesota home. They have four children, Hailey, Micah, Mariana, and Sadie, all who attend Trinity. They also have actively hosted international students for Mayer Lutheran High School. In their free time, they enjoy cheering on their children from the stands and auditoriums, baking, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Ephesians 3:17b-18
Frequently Asked Questions
Our teachers and students use our faith throughout the day to help lead instruction, discipline, social interaction, etc. All students will participate in a daily Jesus time lessons, prayers and a monthly chapel.
All of our staff meet the credentials set out by DHS in the State of Minnesota. All staff are required to complete continuing education hours, have a full and complete background check and fingerprinting done through the State of Minnesota.
All doors on campus are locked all day, except during drop off and pick up times for classes. All entry to the campus is required to go through the office during office hours. Child care parents will be issued a FOB for building access. Our classroom door remains closed and locked throughout the day.
Trinity Child Care strives to maintain low ratios in order to better care for you student. State licensing requires a 10:1 student/teacher ratio. We adhere to the state rules and during active times during the day and on summer field trips we maintain a smaller ration to better serve our children.
All of our teachers use a preventative, as opposed to reactive, discipline management system. Through positive reinforcement, the children are given a hands-on approach to learning Christian behavior.
We provide both morning and afternoon snacks. If your child has a food sensitivity, you may choose to bring snacks from home. Hot lunch is provided for an extra charge during the school year.
Many of our students require a rest time during their day, others do not. We have two room that operate during nap time. The nap room offers children an opportunity to get a nap of 1-1.5 hours in the Rest room has to rest on their cots for 30 minutes. They do have an opportunity to look at books during some of that time. They are then allowed to get up and do some quiet table time activities
Call the church/ school office at 952-442-4165 ext 615, or you can email the director at Stephanie.genske@trinitywaconia.org
If you are in need of full time child care without any additional preschool classes, please fill out a child care registration packet. If your family will be using child care in addition to Trinity preschool class, you will need to fill out paper work for both programs. The Health Form, and Immunization Form only need to be filled out once. We will make a duplicate.
A minimum of a monthly schedule is required. Many families’ schedules change month to month because of jobs or family needs. Also, by receiving monthly schedules, Trinity’s child care team is able to plan out programming and staffing accordingly.
All completed child care schedules must be emailed to the director by the 3rd Monday of the month prior.
All submitted schedules will be scheduled and billed according to the needs indicated. Any and all unplanned or emergency situations will be taken into consideration. There will be a $5 change fee that is made per event that is changed. Please email the director, should an event arise.
You can reach our Director, Stephanie Genske at 952-442-4165 ext. 642 or Stephanie.genske@trinitywaconia.org