1973
It all started in September 1973, when two dedicated women — Bonnie Callison Newell and Barb Smith Shafer — helped launch Christian Educare as a ministry of Maiden Lane Church of God. With a license from the State of Ohio, Educare began welcoming little ones through its doors, focused not just on preparing them for school, but more importantly, helping them know they were deeply loved by God.
Educare’s first home was in the Youth Building on Dakota Street. It had four classrooms, a big playroom upstairs, and a large kitchen. Things were simple back then — there was just one phone in the whole building, located right across from the girls' restroom! The Maiden Lane Missionary Ladies’ Group chipped in early on to buy high-quality wooden toys from Community Playthings — many of those toys lasted for decades and were loved by hundreds of little hands.
In June 1976, a recent high school grad named Nikki Welch (Tackett) came on board as a Summer Aide. It was the beginning of a long and meaningful career with Educare.
There were a few leadership changes in the next few years. Cindy Burchett Dean served as Director in 1977, but a long commute made it hard for her to stay. In July 1978, Vickie Johnson became Director. At the time, only 16 children were enrolled — but that quickly changed as the program grew steadily over the next five years.
1983
In April 1983, Margi Starr stepped into the Director role during another season of growth. The team opened up classrooms on the lower level of the Youth Building to handle the increase. Around this time, new state rules required more teacher training, and the entire staff began attending ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) conventions to stay up-to-date and inspired.
Big things happened in August 1984 — Kindergarten was added! That same month, a young woman named Robin Eickmeyer (Patterson) visited Maiden Lane Church for the first time and went to the altar, praying for her first teaching job. Not long after, she became Educare’s first Kindergarten teacher. Her class of ten even sang at her wedding the next June!
In 1985, just days before school was set to start, Marcia Gifford (Holmes) called from Xenia about the Kindergarten position — and she said yes. Marcia was with us for three years and played a key role in helping Educare get officially chartered by the Department of Education — in record time!
Over the years, God continued to send amazing Kindergarten teachers: Sonya Burton, Cathy Meadows, Janelle Maxwell, Pat Ledford, and even Vickie Johnson herself again, along with assistant Sherry Whaley. Around this time, Nikki moved from teaching into a full-time Assistant Director role.
1991
In August 1991, Margi Starr and Nikki Tackett became Co-Directors, leading side-by-side through a season of big change.
In February 1993, Educare officially moved out of the Youth Building and into Maiden Lane’s brand new Family Life Center. It was a huge transition with lots of packing and planning. To ease the move, the kids went on a few field trips to their new school ahead of time. Then, on a snowy President’s Day, staff and families carried in tables and little chairs. The next morning, the children arrived — ready to explore their new space.
In the years that followed, Educare continued to grow. Pat Ledford taught Kindergarten in the room near the stage. The next year, the “Kinder Pandas” moved upstairs. In Fall 1995, Vickie Johnson returned to Educare and taught the “Kinder Kats” for an incredible 18 years.
2001
By 2001, things were becoming more high-tech — a check-in computer was added for security. That fall, Educare added first grade, with Penny Barth as the teacher. Following the tragic events of September 11, you could walk down the hallway and hear children singing “God Bless America” — a moment many still remember.
In 2002, Roberta Gates became Primary School Principal, and by 2004, Nikki Tackett stepped into the role of sole Director. The preschool continued to thrive, and more primary grades were added.
2014
By 2014, enrollment led to a gradual phase-out of the primary grades. Even so, the memories of Kindergarten and early elementary school — the teachers, the songs, the learning — remain some of the most treasured chapters in Educare’s story.
2020
Then came 2020. Like so many others, Educare had to close its doors in March because of the pandemic. But by August, the doors reopened under strict new rules — face masks, health screenings, and a lot of cleaning. Through it all, the heart of Educare stayed the same. In many ways, it came back even stronger.
2023
In 2023, Christian Educare celebrated 50 wonderful years of serving children and families — sharing faith, love, and learning with every little life that walked through the door. With a banquet of alumni, friends, and family, Educare looked back on 50 years of sharing God's love with young hearts and planned for many years to come.
2025
After nearly five decades of faithful service, Nikki Tackett retired in 2025. Christian Educare welcomed Stephanie Artis. Supporting this transition, Margi Starr returned. Together the two will guide the next steps of Educare’s journey.