May 8, 2017

Meet Barbara Collins of Open Arms Lutheran Child Development Center in Buckhead

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Collins.

Barbara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I began in the field of early childcare in 1982. I have worked for corporate childcare companies and operated a home childcare center. Open Arms is the first faith-based center that I have operated. During my 35 career years, I have held positions as a teacher, director, professional development director, regional director, and a state approved early care trainer. I have served on the early childhood advisory board at Southern Crescent Technical College. Along with my duties as the executive director with Open Arms, I also am an adjunct instructor at Georgia Piedmont Technical College in the early childcare education department.

I hold a bachelor of science degree in Speech Communication and Theatre from Tennessee State University and a master of science degree in Early Childhood Studies from Walden University.

I am a big Atlanta Falcons fan – Rise Up!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road due to the field of early childhood bringing so much responsibility of ensuring that children are safe and that quality programming is being provided. Teacher retention is also a big concern in early childhood. Finding qualified teachers that are trained in the field and being able to pay teachers an adequate pay for their qualification can be challenging.

Please tell us about Open Arms Lutheran Child Development Center.
Open Arms Lutheran Child Development Center – Buckhead has been in operations since the early 1990’s. It was the first childcare center for the Lutheran church. We provide childcare services for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age. We are a full year childcare center. We currently use the Pinnacle curriculum which is faith-based that is developmentally age appropriate. We also use the Georgia Early Learning Standards to plan learning activities in language/literacy, social/emotion, physical, cognitive, and approaches to learning. The children are exposed to Bible stories and weekly chapel service with the pastor of the Lutheran church.

We are proud of our reputation in the community for long years of service and the years of tenure with our teaching staff.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is at Christmas time. I loved to watch the silvery Christmas tree with the color wheel light turning to make the tree turn colors of red, green, and blue. My dad loved to crack open the walnuts and drink egg nog. Oh, the memories!

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