Kuna, Idaho, Church of the Nazarene Partners with Nonprofit to Offer Preschool with Scholarships and Secular Curriculum

Denise Macaluso, director of My Place Preschool in Kuna, Idaho, leads a dual role that blends faith and education. On Sundays, she oversees Sunday school at the Kuna Church of the Nazarene, and on Mondays, she directs a preschool program that serves as an early learning hub for local families. The preschool, operated by Kuna Early Learning—a nonprofit partnered with the Kuna School District—offers pre-kindergarten education in a space that combines a religious atmosphere with a secular curriculum. Posters of Jesus and Bible verses adorn the walls, yet the program emphasizes broad Christian values like kindness and graciousness.

Macaluso, who works for the Kuna Church of the Nazarene, dedicates about 10 hours a week to church duties. The rest of her time is devoted to the preschool, which is part of a broader initiative to provide affordable early education. Every month, she collaborates with Ludee Vermaas, the executive director of Kuna Early Learning, to manage scholarships and teacher training. These scholarships enable some families to pay $350 a month for preschool, compared to the standard $700 rate.

My Place Preschool operates from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., offering a full-day program that differs from Boise’s model, where preschool is split into morning and afternoon sessions. The program also includes kindergarten preparation, with parents attending three annual trainings to develop reading skills with their children. In the hallway, a building plan for an upgraded outdoor recreation facility sits, a gift from The Land Group, a multidisciplinary design firm. However, the $700,000 construction cost remains a challenge.

Vermaas, who often spends her free time applying for grants, notes that Idaho is one of six states without state-funded preschool. Without such support, districts must rely on private and public grants, in-kind donations, and creative solutions. She applies to about 15 to 20 grants annually, securing roughly four or five. The financial strain is significant, and as funding ebbs, so too do the preschool’s offerings.

The partnership between the Kuna Church of the Nazarene and Kuna Early Learning reflects a commitment to community service and educational access. It underscores the church’s role in addressing local needs through innovative programs, even as broader systemic challenges persist.

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