Bright Beginnings
Pre-School of the Dille ParishWe Are Small But Mighty In The Lord!
Contact Us
Program Director: Mrs. Elizabeth Lockwood
Assistant Teacher: Mrs. Amanda Eastman
Chairman of the Bright Beginnings Advisory Board: Mrs. Rebecca Hicks
Email: brightbeginnings@dilleparish.org
Bright Beginnings 1097 Creamery Rd Le Raysville PA 18829
570-744-2225
Schedule
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 4 Year Old Class
Time: 9am – 12pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 3 Year Old Class
Time: 9am – 11:30am
Our classroom is located in the downstairs of the Parish House.
Our Philosophy
Bright Beginnings is a self-supporting, not-for-profit ministry of the Dille Parish . As a mission to our community, the Dille Parish and Bright Beginnings seek to provide an affordable, Christian-based program for pre-school age children that will enhance the development of each child’s educational, social, physical, and spiritual growth.
Bright Beginnings admits students of any background, race, nationality, or ethnic origin.
How We Spend Our Day
When you are a preschooler, play is your most important life’s work! Children grow and learn through play, especially play that allows them to problem solve and engage in fantasy. Play promotes self-esteem, helping children to feel good about themselves and become confident and competent. It also promotes cooperation, helping children learn to work and get along with others.
Our day includes: Circle Time, Music Activities, Gross Motor Activities, Fine Motor Activities, Art Activities, Dramatic Play, Story Time, Science Center, Computer Center, Chapel
Meet Our Teachers and Staff
Mrs. Elizabeth Lockwood
Program Director
Liz has been the Program Director of the Bright Beginnings Preschool of the Dille Parish since the 2021 school year. She has spent significant time working closely with young children in this age group and their families.
Liz is the mother of four beautiful children and has lived in the area since 2015 with her husband, who grew up here. She enjoys cooking and shopping, going out to dinner with her husband, and finding fun and creative actives to do with her children!
Mrs. Amanda Eastman
Assistant Teacher
Amanda Eastman is the Assistant Teacher of the Bright Beginnings Preschool of the Dille Parish. Amanda has spent the past 20 years working with children! This will be her third year working at Bright Beginnings.
Amanda is a wife and a mother to three boys. She likes to spend time with her family and bake. She is looking forward to a great year with Bright Beginnings!
Mrs. Rebecca Hicks
Chairman of the Bright Beginnings Advisory Board
Becky Hicks is the Chairman of the Bright Beginnings Advisory Board of the Dille Parish. Becky is a member of the Dille Parish. She resides in Le Raysville with her husband Randy. Becky was the teacher and Director of Bright Beginnings for 11 years. Before she worked at Bright Beginnings she taught preschool in Nichols NY for 17 years, and she worked at the Wyalusing Valley Children’s Center for 4 years. Becky loves our Bright Beginnings preschool and has stayed involved with Bright Beginnings since her retirement in 2020. Becky loves to spend time with her grandchildren, and her new hobby Quilting!
Forms & Applications
How to Register Your Child
Parent Handbook PDF
Registeration Packet Document
Tuition Scholarships PDF
What is the Bright Beginnings Pre-School?
The Bright Beginnings Pre-School is a self-supporting, not-for-profit ministry that was created by the Dille Parish in 1999. As a mission to our community, the Dille Parish and Bright Beginnings provide an affordable, Christian-based program for pre-school aged children to enhance the development of each child’s spiritual, educational, social, and physical growth.
The Bright Beginnings program provides developmentally appropriate early learning opportunities for children 3 to 5 years of age. We provide a safe, supportive, and caring environment where children can enjoy and take part in music, art, story time, snack time, games, chapel time with our pastor, educational activities including a science center and computer station, play time, and many other activities. Our program encourages the development of each child’s large and small motor skills, social skills, organization skills, and self-confidence.
We believe that a preschooler’s most important work is to PLAY! Children grow and learn through play—especially play that allows them to problem solve and engage in fantasy. Play promotes self-esteem, helping children to feel good about themselves and become confident and competent. It also promotes cooperation, helping children learn to work and get along with others.
Bright Beginnings follows the Northeast Bradford School District school calendar from September – May. It is currently a part-time morning program, offering classes either two days a week or three days, depending on the child’s age. Tuition scholarships are available for families in need of assistance. If you are interested in enrolling your child in Bright Beginnings, please contact us for more information.
A Brief History of Bright Beginnings
Our First Teachers
In the late 1990s the Dille Parish decided to build the Parish House. One part of our mission was to provide a preschool for our community.
Rev. Steve Crabtree and Laura Hainley visited several preschools in the area. With the help of so many members of the community and Parish members, we welcomed our first class of children in 1999 and had our first commencement ceremony on May 21, 2000. Our first class of 12 children was led by Laura Hainley and Louise Smith.
Since the first class, we have had many teachers and program assistants involved at Bright Beginnings, including Laura Hainley, Louise Smith, Kim Brown, Melinda Keeney, Rebecca Hicks, Justine Keeney, Melanie Baker, Twylia Bullock, and Angie Allabaugh. Our current teachers are Elizabeth Lockwood and Amanda Eastman. Our teachers, program assistants, and the countless helpers and volunteers along the way have helped to support our program over the years and make our Bright Beginnings mission possible.
Over the years the program has continued to expand and grow, but the goal has always remained the same: to provide the children of our community with a strong educational and spiritual foundation for a “bright beginning!”
LeRaysville Church
24 Church Street, Le Raysville, PA 18829
Potterville Church
51 Potterville Street, Rome, PA 18837
Parish House
903 Main Street, Le Raysville, PA 18829
Contacts
Parish House: 570.744.1637
Pastor's Study: 570.744.1943
Bright Beginnings: 570.744.2225
LeRaysville Church: 570.744.6020
Potterville Church: 570.744.1638