JLU babies receive nurturing and care that resembles life at home. The development of each child is fostered and measured to make sure each one is reaching their God given potential.
Infant classrooms have a maximum of 8 children in the room, with a teacher to student ratio of 1:4.
We recognize the importance of individualized attention in the infant classrooms and practice primary care, meaning your child will be primarily cared for by one assigned teacher. Teachers will provide encouragement to children as they achieve milestones in this classroom including: smiling, lifting head, grasping with hands, babbling, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, waving, standing, singing, climbing, and walking.
Parents are responsible for providing the following items for infants in care:
diapers, wipes, diaper cream, formula or breast milk, bottles, baby food, pacifiers, extra sets of clothing, fitted crib sheet(s), sleep sack
Miss Leah Irwin
Joined JLU: January 2022
Degree: High school diploma
Experience prior to JLU: 3 years of customer service experience including Starbucks and Delta Sonic; over 7 years of experience working in children’s ministry at Open Door Baptist
Church
Personal life: enjoys cross stitching, crafts and music
Mrs. Charisma McDonald
Joined JLU: August 2021
Degree: Early Childhood Certification from GCC; Child Development Associate’s in Infant and Toddler Care
Experience prior to JLU: five years of experience as an infant teacher in a licensed childcare center; four summers of experience helping with children’s church camps; six years
helping with Sunday school lessons in her church
Personal life: married, enjoys camping, swimming, doing crafts, working on her Happy Planner and spending time with her 7 nephews and 4 niece
Miss Grace Kinton
Joined JLU: March 2023
Degree: High School diploma; credits obtained in education from MCC
Experience prior to JLU: five years of experience as an infant teacher in licensed childcare; one year of experience as a Teacher Aide in the East Irondequoit SD
Personal life: enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with her family, friends and cat
Mrs. Cheryle Johnson
Joined JLU: November 2015
Degree: CDA in Infant & Toddler Care; Dental Assistant Certificate
Experience prior to JLU: dental assistant for 12 years; provided childcare in home prior to dental career
Personal life: married, mother of four, grandmother of four, enjoys being outside walking her dog, camping, fishing, floral arranging and cake decorating
Ms. Julie Beyma
Joined JLU: October 2022
Degree: Master’s degree in Elementary & Special Education; Bachelor’s in Elementary Education
Experience prior to JLU: 25 years of teaching experience with the Rochester City School District; piloted a Pre-K 3 year old program for three years at RCSD
Personal life: has one daughter, enjoys playing with her puppy, scrapbooking and shopping
Ms. Cortney Hill
Joined JLU: February 2023
Degree: High School diploma
Experience prior to JLU: two years of experience in environmental services at Monroe Community Hospital; three years of customer service experience
Personal life: mother of one daughter, loves reading, watching television and gardening
Miss Jocelyn Soto
Joined JLU: April 2019
Degree: Child Development Associate Credential in Infant & Toddler Care
Experience prior to JLU: one year of professional experience at Tops; four years of private babysitting experience
Personal life: enjoys spending time reading and cooking
Miss Paige Favor
Joined JLU: September 2022
Degree: High School diploma
Experience prior to JLU: three years of experience working with infants and toddlers in her church nursery; three years of retail experience at Wegman’s and Petsmart
Personal life: loves to crochet and craft, being outside, fishing on the canal and gardening and running her Etsy shop
Mrs. Hillary Thomas
Joined JLU: February 2023
Degree: High school diploma
Experience prior to JLU: five years of experience as a preschool teacher; over 15 years of private childcare experience; has volunteered to teach Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and help in the church nursery
Personal life: mother of four, loves watching movies and going to the mall
Miss Corina Ferro
Joined JLU: August 2017
Degree: BFA in Dance and a BS in Interdisciplinary Arts for Children
Experience prior to JLU: worked with children as a dance instructor for four years at two studios; substitute teacher in the Brockport CSD; five years of experience as a camp counselor at Casowasco Camp; volunteer for church nursery
Personal life: enjoys dancing