Ankeny Child Care Director Says Point of Grace’s Actions Were “Extreme”

Point of Grace Children's Academy in Waukee is being and banning those who do not.

Not all Christian child-care centers agree with how the change was handled by Waukee's Point of Grace Church.

Tami Zumach, director of located at the Ankeny Christian Church, 2506 S.W. Third St., said although her facility expects its employees to act professionally both in and outside of work, it does not require them to live their lives according to Christian guidelines set forth by the church.

“I would say (Point of Grace) went to the extreme,” Zumach said. “I don’t know if I disagree with everything entirely, but I think they went to the extreme.”

On Friday, staff members of the Happy Time Preschool & Daycare in Waukee received letters informing them that the center was being reorganized into the Point of Grace Children’s Academy. Previously, the center operated in Waukee's Point of Grace Church, but religious affiliation was not a condition of employment, said former employees and parents.

Employees wanting to remain needed to reapply for their positions and agree to the new guidelines. These new guidelines were spelled out in a Christian Lifestyle Agreement included with employment applications. The agreement states that “every employee accept and follow a lifestyle commitment based upon Biblical principles.”

That lifestyle means regular attendance at a Christian church, no sex outside of marriage, no homosexual conduct, no viewing of pornography, no drug or alcohol use and no vulgar language, according to the application posted on the church's website.

Zumach said employees at Ankeny Christian Child Care are required to sign a handbook, but it does not require employees to adhere to anything when off the clock, adding there isn’t a good way to control what employees do on their own time.

“We do expect them to conduct themselves in a professional manner, both when they’re here and outside of work,” Zumach said. “If there were infractions off the clock we felt were serious enough, we would look into it.”

Zumach said they prefer employees to have a Christian background, but experience taking care of children is the primary requirement.

“If (Happy Time) employees were good enough to work there before, I don’t see why they could not have continued,” she said.

Ankeny Patch contacted several child-care operations affiliated with local churches for response. Two directors declined to comment. Messages were left for others.