THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, October 13, 1994             TAG: 9410120173
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN              PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   47 lines

CHURCH OFFERS MOTHERS A DAY OUT A MORNING OF FUN IS PLANNED FOR PRESCHOOLERS EVERY THURSDAY.

What mother of a preschooler wouldn't appreciate a morning off - a few precious moments to call her own? And what preschooler wouldn't enjoy a few hours of supervised fun and wholesome activities with some playmates?

A group of mothers at Nansemond River Baptist Church have organized a Mother's Day Out program that features the best of both worlds for mom and child. Every Thursday, from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., children gather in the modern Nansemond River educational facility to participate in a morning of fun. Five classes are provided. Babies and toddlers are supervised by skilled child care workers. Separate classes for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds feature a structured learning environment directed by Margaret Clark, a retired schoolteacher. Each mother is asked to volunteer as a classroom aide once a month.

While quality child care can be costly, Nansemond River sees its Mother's Day Out program as a ministry to mothers within the church and community. Therefore, efforts have been made to provide quality service at a minimum cost: fees are $3.50 for the first child and $1 for each additional child.

A typical morning at Mother's Day Out might include learning activities, a Bible story, crafts, singing, a snack and a visit to Nansemond River's playground for some fresh air and sunshine. Sprinkled throughout the program's year-round calendar are various field trips to places such as the Norfolk Zoo, the Living Museum, Sleepy Hole Park and a local Pumpkin Patch. A Christmas party, birthdays and summer pool parties also add variety to the year's festivities.

``It's a good way to meet other stay-at-home moms,'' said Kathy Doerner, who has participated in the program with her toddler son for years. ``It's also a nice way to meet other moms I wouldn't mind leaving my son with.''

For more information about Nansemond River's Mother's Day Out program, call the church office at 484-3423. The church is at 2896 Bridge Road. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II

Margaret Clark, holding Samantha Heflin, and Kathy Doerner check the

list of children who will be going by bus to the zoo. Nansemond

River sees its Mother's Day Out program as a ministry to mothers.

by CNB