[S3EP29] Church Preschool: Ministry Opportunity or Missed Opportunity?

Preschool ministry is not just childcare. It may be one of the clearest relational bridges your church has to young families in the community.In this episode, Tim Stevens talks with Brandi Watterson about how churches can think more strategically about preschool ministry. Drawing from Brandi’s 17 years of experience owning and operating preschools, they unpack the opportunity churches have to start, strengthen, or realign early childhood programs connected to their ministry.They also discuss why many church preschools drift over time from mission to maintenance, how tension can build between the church and preschool sides, and why excellence, trust, and clear alignment matter if a preschool is going to serve families well.Additional topics include:church preschoolearly childhood ministrydaycare ministrychurch leadershipfamily ministrychildren’s ministrychurch operationsministry alignmentcommunity outreachpreschool leadershipstaffing and structurechurch facilitiesmission driftbuilding trust with familiesTimestamps00:00 Introducing Brandi Watterson and preschool consulting at LeadingSmart02:00 Brandi and Danny’s story in ministry04:30 Starting a church and buying their first preschool08:00 Taking over a struggling school and rebuilding trust11:00 Expanding into multiple preschool models13:30 Common challenges churches face with preschools14:30 The tension between the preschool and the church16:00 How churches lose sight of preschool as a ministry opportunity18:00 Why preschool can become a relational bridge to families20:00 Bringing excellence to church preschool programming22:00 Practical ways pastors and ministry teams can connect with preschool families24:00 Should your church run the preschool or partner with someone else?26:00 Licensing, timelines, facilities, and startup realities29:00 How LeadingSmart helps churches start, strengthen, or realign preschool ministry31:00 Brandi’s leadership experience and Forbes Business Council work33:00 Final thoughts for churches with preschool opportunities📱 Follow us for more insights and resourcesInstagram: @timstevensFacebook: @timstevens💻Visit LeadingSmart.comNeed help facilitating your next staff retreat or strategic offsite? https://www.leadingsmart.com/lets-talkHouston listeners — join the Houston Roundtable on June 4th (only 25 spots). https://www.leadingsmart.com/houston-roundtableListen to Leading In Real Time Podcast Series https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ2wnxRYYqm_ThAiSPBwjH7vQH5i3H3aKListen to the full 40 Lessons In 40 Years serieshttps://www.leadingsmart.com/podcastDownload The Simply Strategic Show https://www.leadingsmart.com/books-2📩 Have questions or want to connect?https://www.leadingsmart.com/lets-talk🔔 Subscribe to stay updated on future episodesApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadingsmart-podcast/id1813933962Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1IqLLXtvtZBEgRsM2gOXpO?s...