Guiding growing minds, bodies, and spirits through Christ and love.
Welcome to Good Shepherd Education Center where we have been serving the Southern Maryland community since 1968. We are a licensed child care center through the MSDE Office of Child Care that participates in the Maryland Excels program.
Good Shepherd Education Center has served thousands of children over the past five decades as an extension ministry of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. Our commitment is to provide a loving and caring Christian environment where children learn through play and are prepared for Kindergarten before they leave our program. Our focus is on the whole child, tending to their social-emotional and academic needs. At Good Shepherd, our families are what matters the most and make a difference in each child’s life.
Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6 am to 6 pm, 12 months a year. We are closed for most federal holidays, for professional development, and some special events.
Good Shepherd Education Center has served thousands of children over the past five decades as an extension ministry of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. Our commitment is to provide a loving and caring Christian environment where children learn through play and are prepared for Kindergarten before they leave our program. Our focus is on the whole child, tending to their social-emotional and academic needs. At Good Shepherd, our families are what matters the most and make a difference in each child’s life.
Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6 am to 6 pm, 12 months a year. We are closed for most federal holidays, for professional development, and some special events.
Our Classrooms
Twos 10: Younger 2-year-olds
The Twos 10 classroom is designed for children 24-30 months at the beginning of the school year or starting care. This is often a child’s first experience in a classroom setting. The teachers use the MSDE approved curriculum Frogstreet Twos to engage children in learning. The curriculum focuses on the child’s cognitive, language, and physical development which is done through play-based learning. The teachers work with the children on potty training. The children in this class are also introduced to Chapel weekly with the Pastor and the Youth and Children’s Ministry’s Coordinator to learn about Jesus with daily religious lessons.
Preschool
The Preschool classrooms offer a half-day or full-day program for children who are 3 years-old as of September 1 of the current school year. The Preschool classes teach the MSDE approved curriculum Frogstreet Threes which focuses on literacy, math, science, STEM, and handwriting. Children participate in whole and small group instruction. The children participate in learning centers daily, as well as chapel weekly in the sanctuary led by the Pastor and the Youth and Children’s Ministry Coordinator. The children are learning about Jesus’ love through daily religious lessons.
Twos 5: Older 2-year-olds
The Twos 5 classroom is designed for children who are between the ages of 30-36 months at the beginning of the school year. This often is a child’s first experience in a classroom setting, however, their cognitive, language, and physical abilities are more prominent than children that are 24-36 months. This classroom uses the MSDE approved curriculum Frogstreet Twos to engage children through play-based learning. Children participate in whole and small group instruction. The teachers work with the children on potty training, finding that most of the children are potty trained by the time they transition to Preschool. The children are introduced to Chapel weekly with the Pastor and the Youth and Children’s Ministry Coordinator. The children are learning about Jesus’ love through daily religious lessons.
Pre-K
The Pre-K classrooms offer a half-day or full-day program for children who are 4 years-old as of September 1 of the current school year. Our Pre-K program is designed to have your child Kindergarten ready by the end of the year. The classroom uses the MSDE approved curriculum Frogstreet for Pre-K which focuses on literacy, math, science, STEM, and handwriting. These domains are taught through whole group, small group, and center-based learning. The children also participate in chapel weekly in the sanctuary led by the Pastor and the Youth and Children’s Ministry Coordinator. The children are learning about Jesus’ love through daily religious lessons.
Our Staff
Our staff are highly trained and dedicated to the learning of young children. These ladies dedicate themselves each and every day to ensure the children in their care are loved and educated. Many of our staff have been here for over a decade. The staff is led by two highly experienced administrators.
The center is governed by a Board of Directors that is composed of GSUMC Church members, the pastor of the church, and parents of GSEC. The board meets monthly to discuss the operations and policies of the center.
The center is governed by a Board of Directors that is composed of GSUMC Church members, the pastor of the church, and parents of GSEC. The board meets monthly to discuss the operations and policies of the center.
Cyndy Baker
Director
Cyndy Baker, the director, has been in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 20 years. Ms. Baker earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in Elementary Education in 2000. Since then, Ms. Baker was a Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher for 15 years before transitioning into administration.
Laurie Banky
Assistant Director
Laurie Banky, the assistant director, has been with Good Shepherd since 2008 where she started as an aide. Mrs. Banky became a lead teacher teaching Pre-K. Mrs. Banky transitioned to the administration team in 2019.
Registration and Enrollment Process
The enrollment process starts with a tour of the center. Tours can be done any day of the week. We give tours when the children are outside to allow us to bring people into the rooms. The following times are when we can do tours:
After the tour, a registration form will need to be filled out and turned in with the registration fee. An enrollment packet will then be given to be completed. Once enrollment paperwork has been completed and turned in to be reviewed, administration will give a start date.
- Twos: 9:30 am and 3:30 pm
- Preschool: 10 am and 4 pm
- Pre-K: 10: 10:30 am and 4:30 pm
After the tour, a registration form will need to be filled out and turned in with the registration fee. An enrollment packet will then be given to be completed. Once enrollment paperwork has been completed and turned in to be reviewed, administration will give a start date.
Community Resources
The Judy Center
Good Shepherd partners with different community resources. One of our biggest partners is the Judy Center. The Judy Center provides resources to families in Charles County about child development and child and family engagement. Please use the link below to learn more about the Judy center.
Maryland’s Infants and Toddlers Program
Maryland’s Infants and Toddlers program is for children birth through 3 years-old. This program offers resources to help children with developmental delays or disabilities and/or have behavioral challenges. Infants and Toddlers offer assessments and provide their services in-home, in the community, or virtually. All supports are designed to help the child and their family meet their goals that are important to them. Please use the link below to learn more about the program.
Child Find
Child Find provides free developmental, speech, and hearing screenings for children 3-5 years-old. In addition, if needed, they provide assessments and special education program planning. The screenings are done at Charles County F.B. Gwynn Educational Center. If you feel your child needs to be screened or evaluated, please call (301) 753-1745 or (301) 934-3884.
Additional Information
2025/2026 Calendar
View the calendar here.
2026/2027 Fees Schedule
View the fees schedule here.
Parent/Guardian Handbook
View the parent/guardian handbook here.
MSDE Parent Brochure
View the MSDE parent brochure here.
Inclement Weather Policy
View our inclement weather policy here.
Fundraising Links
If you are interested in participating in easy, convenient fundraisers for GSEC, please visit these sites:
www.BoxTops4Education.com
www.BoxTops4Education.com