Nelson County Early Learning Center

We are thrilled to welcome Chelsey Ritchie to the ELC as a Preschool Leader!

Chelsey has been teaching preschool for 9 years at Creekside Elementary in Hardin County Schools. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in IECE from Campbellsville University and has been pursuing her master's degree in Learning and Behavior Disorders.

She grew up in Nelson County and currently lives in New Haven with her other half, Brandon, and their almost 2 year old, Briggs. When she's not teaching, she enjoys being outside and spending time with her family.

She loves working with preschoolers and being a part of the foundation of their educational experience. She's excited to be joining the ELC family coming back home and looks forward to getting to know everyone!

Please join us in giving Chelsey a warm ELC welcome! We are thrilled to have her on our team and can't wait to see the positive impact she will make on our preschool community!

We are so excited to welcome Faith Bryan back to the ELC as a Preschool Assistant!

Faith has been working in preschool classrooms for the past 3 years, gaining valuable experience in both Nelson County and Bardstown. She is currently in her final year of school, working towards her IECE degree and continuing her passion for early childhood education.

Having previously served as a substitute at the ELC, Faith is thrilled to return to a place that has always felt like home. She shares that the supportive community of parents and teachers is exactly where she has hoped to be since leaving, and she is excited to reconnect with familiar faces while meeting new ones along the way.

Please join us in giving Faith a big ELC welcome back! We are so happy to have her as part of our preschool team and can't wait for an amazing year ahead!

We are thrilled to welcome Traci Allen back to the ELC as a Preschool Leader!

This will be Traci's 9th year in education. She spent her first 4 years teaching at the ELC before transitioning to Boston for the past 4 years. Prior to entering the classroom, she served for 3 years as a Developmental Interventionist with the First Steps program.

Traci is excited to return to the place where her teaching career began. She looks forward to collaborating with fellow preschool teachers, sharing resources, and contributing to the strong professional support system that makes the ELC so special.

Outside of school, Traci is a proud mom to 2 grown sons, a niece who is like a daughter, and a grandson who keeps her smiling. She is also a devoted fur momma to several dogs, cats, and even a horse! In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and grandbaby, creating digital designs & graphics, and curling up with a good book.

Please join us in giving Traci a warm ELC welcome home! We are so excited to have her back with us and can't wait for the positive impact she will make with our preschool students and families!

Interested in childcare for the 2026-2027 school year?

Nelson County Schools offers childcare services for preschool and school aged children at the ELC and all NC elementary campuses. Please complete one form for each child you wish to enroll in childcare. Come join the fun!

Click this link or scan the QR code:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuqXoLqerihSv7gP1t6eOVEJRgg1zw2IoNtarsYjNa2IvgPA/viewform

Help us wish Ms.Camryn a very happy birthday. We are so grateful she shares her gifts with us at the ELC!

Help us wish Ms.Summer a very happy birthday. We are so grateful she shares her gifts with us at the ELC!

Barry Mitchell visits the ELC every year and he is an absolute hit! Grown-ups and kids alike will be entertained- start your summer off with some laughs!

🦖✨ Coming Next Week: Fossil Funhouse! ✨🦖

Our Summer Reading adventures are just getting started! Dig into a world of fossils, prehistoric mysteries, and hands-on exploration.

📣 Tell a friend.
🦴 Bring your curiosity.
📚 Join the adventure.

See you at Fossil Funhouse! 🌟

Happening tomorrow- don't miss out!

📢They’re all gone- thank you so much!📢

🎉Summer Discovery Boxes are Here!☀️🎨

We're kicking off summer with fun, creativity, and discovery!

Swing by the ELC on Wednesday, June 3rd from 3:00-5:30PM to pick up a FREE Summer Discovery Box! The Summer Discovery Box was designed with preschoolers in mind, but many of the materials and activities can also be adapted for children birth to age 3. Families are welcome to pick up a box for any child in their household to support learning, exploration, and fun throughout the summer.

Each box is packed with hands-on activities, from Playdoh fun to simple crafts, that will keep your little ones learning and creating all summer long. ✂️🖼️📚

📦 70 boxes available
⏰ First come, first serve!
📍 Nelson County Early Learning Center

*ALL preschoolers who attend Nelson County Schools received their discovery box the last week of school!

What’s better than reading? 🤔📚

Reading to shelter pets! 🐕🐈

For our littles who can’t read words just yet, they can tell the story using pictures or listen as their adult reads to them AND the pets = win for everybody!! This helps socialize animals to prepare them for their furever homes and helps reduce stress. Let’s do our part to help Nelson County’s shelter pets!

🩵Starting June 2nd, we are offering a Read with a Pet program for school aged children grades 1st grade through 6th grade, accompanied by a parent or guardian. This gives students a chance to practice reading during summer break and a great chance to help us socialize some shelter dogs and cats. We will be unable to take dogs out of their kennels for this program. Give us a call the morning so we can have an idea of how many readers we will be hosting each day. 🩵 TUESDAYS ONLY NOW! Thank you!! (6/8/26)