About Us

Early Learning Center Hours of Operation Monday thru Friday 6:30am – 6:00pm

Amazing Grace Early Learning Center is a ministry of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church and serves families with children from 12 months – VPK/Four-year-olds who want an outstanding educational experience in a diverse and caring environment for their children.

Unlike an ordinary childcare environment, we provide a setting that stimulates early developmental growth, encourages sensory play and prepares children as they begin to learn about God. We are a Christ-centered community, and we celebrate the uniqueness and beauty of each individual child.

  • Two women joyfully singing with children holding popsicles in a room.
  • White building with blue shutters labeled "Early Learning Center," featuring landscaping and an empty parking lot under a partly cloudy sky.
  • Children performing in a puppet theater decorated with drawings and the words "Amazing Grace."

At Amazing Grace Early Learning Center, our mission is to cultivate lifelong learners and to remind every child that Jesus loves them unconditionally, regardless of any circumstances. We are dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive environment where children can thrive and grow in their faith.

We are proud to offer School Readiness funding through the Early Learning Coalition of the Nature Coast, the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County, and the SELF HELP Tuition Assistance Program, ensuring that quality early education is accessible to all families.

Additionally, we provide Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs to further enhance children’s readiness for kindergarten and beyond.

A teacher reading a book to a group of young children sitting on a colorful rug in a classroom.

Staff

Our Passionate Educators

At Amazing Grace Early Learning Center, your child will be cared for by a team of qualified professionals who are passionate about early childhood education.

  • Aimee Knoepfel, MA

    Director, Amazing Grace Early Learning Center

    Aimee Knoepfel serves as the Director of Amazing Grace Early Learning Center in Oxford, FL. She brings extensive experience in early childhood education, having served as both a teacher and director in a variety of settings. In addition to her work at AGELC, Aimee is the Early Childhood Consultant for the FL-GA District and a member of the newly formed LCMS Early Childhood Cabinet, where she helps guide initiatives that support young children and their families.

    Aimee is married to Jim and they are blessed with five children, three daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren.

    A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a red top and a pearl necklace, is smiling outdoors.
  • Kerri Shpur, MS

    Assistant Director, Amazing Grace Early Learning Center

    Kerri Shpur is the Assistant Director of Amazing Grace Early Learning Center (AGELC) in Oxford, Florida. After practicing as a Licensed Physical Therapist for 23 years in both New York and Florida, Kerri decided to transition from healthcare to spend more time with her family and serve God’s people in a different capacity. Her love for children and passion for caring for others inspired her to join AGELC. She has completed both the Florida Child Care Professional Credential and her Director Credential.

    Kerri resides in Oxford with her husband Andy and twin daughters, Katelyn and Emily.

    A person with straight, shoulder-length hair and a friendly smile against a plain background.

Secure Your Child's Future at Amazing Grace

Don't miss the opportunity to give your child a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Join our waitlist today to be notified of upcoming openings in our enriching programs.

Join our Enrollment Management Pool
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Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers

AGELC strives to nurture the spiritual and professional development of our staff. We select staff members who have a love of children and a passion to help each child succeed. All of our teachers and staff meet the qualifications set by the State of Florida and are required to have:

50 hours of Child Care Training

Local and Federal background screening

24 hours of continuing education per year

CPR and First Aid training

Each classroom is staffed by a full-time lead teacher and assistant teachers as required by the Florida statues. Below are the classroom ratios required by the State of Florida along with the ratios we employ in most circumstances

  • Age

    1-Year Olds

    2-Year Olds

    3-Year Olds

    4-Year Olds

  • Florida Ratio Requirements

    1:6

    1:11

    1:15

    1:20

  • Amazing Grace Ratios

    1:6

    1:7

    1:8

    1:9

AGELC fully complies with state regulations for space, materials, safety, and curriculum. We are committed to providing equal educational opportunities to all children and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, or gender.

Join us at Amazing Grace Early Learning Center, where children grow in knowledge, faith, and love, guided by our caring and experienced staff.

License #: C05SU0068

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Wait List Inquiry

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