An agreement is in the works for the Gingerbread House preschool to expand and open a second facility.
Tammy Moseley, owner of the Gingerbread House, said the expansion is the result of discussions and meetings with First Baptist Church at Becker Drive.
Moseley said both the church board and its members have approved the lease of one hallway which consists of five classrooms.
She is eyeing a move-in date around November or December and plans to continue running the current Gingerbread House on Clearfield Drive. “It has a piece of my heart, from working with the Ramsey’s to ownership.”
The lease KIPP Halifax has at the church runs out in October and Moseley said opening will be pending approval of state and city officials.
The current location of Gingerbread House is at its max “and applications keep rolling in,” Moseley said Monday.
The state will have to approve the occupancy of the church location. “It’s way larger than we have here.”
There will be an afterschool program if all approvals are made.
The expansion will help fill a need, Moseley said. “It will serve more children in the county who need preschool and childcare.
Moseley has been the owner of the Gingerbread House for two years and the expansion is another realization of goals she set out when she became the owner. “It’s like it’s not even real,” she said, “I’m very thankful and blessed. If I talk about it too much I’ll cry, looking where we came from, a little room in the back of my house.”
While the expansion plans continue to move ahead, there also are more initiatives on the way.
The facility recently received a $5,000 grant from the North Carolina State University Learning Initiative. The grant is designed to help fuel healthy life choices, better eating and encouraging children to get outside more.
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Parents remain part of the backbone, Moseley said, from chipping in to buy supplies to physical labor. “If I say I need something they are on top of it,” Moseley said. “They just do everything. They go above and beyond. They volunteer to do little things to them which are huge things to us.”
JR and Elizabeth Ballero bought sand to help with a playground improvement project.
The Balleros, who were unable to get to Gingerbread House Monday, said in message to Moseley, “Gabe Ayersman and Brandon McIntyre helped JR put the sand down. Just let them know we are very grateful that Kamdyn has such a awesome school with such a dedicated staff. She has learned so much from being at your little school. We love you and wouldn't want her anywhere else.”
Justin and Carrie Harris renovated the swingsets, Moseley said.
Justin was glad to help. “I’ve always lived by be the person you need to be when you were younger.”
“We love Tammy and all the teachers,” Carrie said. “It’s an answer to prayer.”