Children’s World creates safe place for young set

Sherry and Ray Hebert simply love children. And they have crazy faith, too.

Instead of enjoying retirement, two months after Hurricane Katrina, the Heberts opened Children’s World Academy Inc., a Christian-based childcare center with a mission to provide personal care and attention for children ranging from infancy to 12-year-olds.

“You can either sit around and sulk, or do something,” said Sherry, a self-proclaimed optimist. “The Bible says God helps those who help themselves, and I never been one to believe that moaning and groaning gets me, you or anybody else, anywhere.”

And now, in the wake of the BP Oil Spill and a sluggish economy, they’re expanding their business into a 24-hour facility to better accommodate single parents and parents who work swing shifts.

The Heberts also modified their admissions policies to accept children for one-day stays. Also, parents can make special arrangements for Saturday care.

“As a parent, grandparent and former educator, I realize the importance of preparing children for the future, while providing them with an atmosphere that is warm, loving, secure and inviting,” Sherry said. “That’s why I’m still in this. It’s a fight – one that I don’t think will ever be over.”

Ray said his concern for children began more than 20 years ago, when Sherry operated day care centers in Natchitoches and Pineville.

“To borrow a phrase, ‘The State of the Union’, well it bothers me. More importantly, I am bothered by the general welfare of children today,” he said.

Sherry holds degrees in early childhood development and special education. She is also a certified instructor for the American Red Cross and is certified in adult, infant, and child CPR, and Community First Aid safety. She has four children and four grandchildren.

Sherry has received training in Toddler Curriculums and Activities, Working with Parents in Family Childcare, Development of a Pre-School Curriculum, and Children’s Mental Health Matters.

Ray holds a master’s degree in counseling. He has one son.

Children’s World Academy is located at 800 Brashear Ave. in Morgan City. Children who attend the center follow the A Beka curriculum. For more information, call (985) 385-3610.

All meals at the center meet or exceed USDA requirements. Children’s World Academy also accepts State Childcare Assistance.

All staff members are required to pass a criminal background check, maintain a minimum of 12 hours of training in accordance with state law and undergo training in CPR and Community Health Safety.

“Although our center may appear to be just that, a daycare, we operate on the same principles and conditions as a regular school,” Ray said. “We want to prepare your child for the day that they center regular preschool. To this end, the entire staff and management are devoted to providing children with all the ethical, social and intellectual tools necessary to assist them in achieving their future goals.”

Sherry and Ray said they operate the center on six core beliefs:

In the dignity and worth of every person and in his or her unique abilities.

Cultural diversity enriches the evaluation experience of all children.

We should provide a safe, secure environment and a curriculum that empowers individual children to reach his or her full potential.

It is the shared responsibility of the academy, the family, and the entire community to equip every child with the skills he/she needs as a functioning productive member of society.

Learning is a life-long process which includes the continuing development of aesthetic, cultural and moral values.

Every child has a right to learn and should be supported in his or her efforts.

“While nurturing a child’s capacity to think skillfully and critically, we also strive to deepen his or her commitment to pre-social values like kindness, helpfulness, personal responsibility, and respect for others, qualities we believe are essential to learning humane and productive lives in today’s society,” Ray said.

“For any teacher, it’s such a great feeling to see your kids come back, to just say thank you, if nothing else,” Sherry said.

Ray and Sherry Hebert are expanding their childcare and learning center into a 24-hour facility to better serve the community. The Morgan City-based childcare center prides itself on providing personal care and attention for children ranging from infancy to 12 years old. HOWARD CASTAY JR.