About Us

Early Learning Center Hours of Operation

Monday thru Friday 6:30am – 6:00pm

Amazing Grace Early Learning Center is a ministry of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church and serves families with children from 12 months – VPK/Four-year-olds who want an outstanding educational experience in a diverse and caring environment for their children.

Unlike an ordinary childcare environment, we provide a setting that stimulates early developmental growth, encourages sensory play and prepares children as they begin to learn about God. We are a Christ-centered community, and we celebrate the uniqueness and beauty of each individual child.

At Amazing Grace Early Learning Center, our mission is to cultivate lifelong learners and to remind every child that Jesus loves them unconditionally, regardless of any circumstances. We are dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive environment where children can thrive and grow in their faith.

We are proud to offer School Readiness funding through the Early Learning Coalition of the Nature Coast, the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County, and the SELF HELP Tuition Assistance Program, ensuring that quality early education is accessible to all families.

Additionally, we provide Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs to further enhance children’s readiness for kindergarten and beyond.

Health and Safety

Local and Federal Background Check

Our organization implements a comprehensive screening process to ensure the safety of our students and staff members. As part of this process, all prospective employees undergo a local and federal background check.

Daily Disinfection and Sanitation

The health and well-being of our students and staff is a top priority. Staff members perform daily disinfection and sanitation routines. In addition, we have partnered with a third-party cleaning company that conducts nightly cleaning and sanitation of our facility.

CCTV Recording System

To ensure the utmost security and maintain a controlled environment, we have implemented a comprehensive facility-wide Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera recording system that operates 24/7.

Secure Facility With Access Controls

As part of our commitment to a secure environment, all doors are equipped with secure locking systems and remain locked at all times. Ensuring access is limited to authorized personnel only, further fortifying the security of our facility.

Aimee Knoepfel is the Director and comes to us with years of experience as an early childhood director and preschool teacher.

Aimee Knoepfel serves as the Director of Amazing Grace Early Learning Center in Oxford, FL. She also travels around the country speaking on various Early Childhood Education and School Recruitment topics to teachers, directors, administrators, pastors, and parents.

Before coming to AGELC, Aimee served as the Director of Concordia University Chicago Early Childhood Education Center in River Forest, IL.

Aimee enjoys a lot of coffee in the morning, chocolate throughout the day, reading several books at once, collecting children’s hardcover books, group exercise classes (where the instructor makes you exercise), traveling and lazy days on the beach. She is married to Jim, mother to Jack and Alex, and step-mother to Jordan, Jared and Tyler.

Kerri Shpur, an experienced Physical Therapist, transitioned to the role of Assistant Director at Amazing Grace Early Learning Center in Oxford, Florida, driven by her passion for children and dedication to serving others, while actively pursuing her Director Credential

Kerri Shpur serves as the Assistant Director of Amazing Grace Early Learning Center in Oxford, Florida. After 23 years of practicing as a Physical Therapist in both New York and Florida, Kerri decided to step away from health care to allow for more time to spend with her family and serve God’s people in a different role. Her love of children and caring for others lead her to AGELC. She has completed her Florida Child Care Professional Credential and she is currently pursuing her Director Credential.

Kerri resides in Oxford with her husband Andy and twin daughters, Katelyn and Emily. During Kerri’s time away from AGELC, she enjoys spending time with her family, taking long walks, reading, and the beautiful Florida weather.

If you would like to schedule a tour or join our wait list please click below!

Teachers, Assistant Teachers, and Aides

AGELC strives to nurture the spiritual and professional development of our staff. We select staff members who have a love of children and a passion to help each child succeed. All of our teachers and staff meet the qualifications set by the State of Florida and are required to have:

– 50 hours of Child Care Training –

– Local and Federal background screening –

– 24 hours of continuing education per year –

– CPR and First Aid training –

Each classroom is staffed by a full-time teacher, an assistant teacher and aides as required by the Florida statues. Below are the classroom ratios required by the State of Florida along with the ratios we employ in most circumstances.

Age

1-Year Olds

2-Year Olds

3-Year Olds

4-Year Olds

Florida Ratio Requirements

1:6

1:11

1:15

1:20

Amazing Grace Ratios

1:6

1:8

1:9

AGELC fully complies with state regulations for space, materials, safety, and curriculum. We are committed to providing equal educational opportunities to all children and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, or gender.

Join us at Amazing Grace Early Learning Center, where children grow in knowledge, faith, and love, guided by our caring and experienced staff.

License #: C05SU0068