The South Atlantic Conference Office of Education recently held a landmark meeting that, for the first time in its history, brought together center directors, pastors, and board chairpersons to focus on early childhood education.
The meeting was led by Sharlene Thomas, South Atlantic assistant superintendent for early childhood education, who outlined a vision for expanding Christ-centered learning environments, strengthening early intervention programs, and improving kindergarten readiness. Conference officials said the gathering marked an important step in uniting stakeholders around shared goals for children and families.
As part of the initiative, South Atlantic rolled out a new system of resources designed to provide schools and centers with consistent, accessible tools. Materials include board governance information, required forms, benchmark trackers, manuals, checklists, and professional development opportunities for staff.
To further strengthen accountability, the Office of Education adopted a childcare management system that will be implemented across its schools and centers. The platform will help ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, track student progress, and improve communication between educators, families, churches, and schools.
In the months ahead, Conference eduction leaders plan to conduct site visits to early childhood centers throughout the region. The visits will include one-on-one support for directors, meetings with staff and parents, and implementation of action plans tailored to each center’s needs.
Conference leaders said the initiative reflects a commitment not only to academic preparation but also to holistic support for families and faith communities.
“This work is about more than education,” said Thomas. “It’s about creating environments that nurture children, strengthen families, and empower schools to serve with excellence.”
The initiative will continue to expand over the next year as South Atlantic’s Office of Education works to develop programs that align faith, family, and education in support of young learners.
South Atlantic Conference | December 2025
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