HISTORY

Kitty’s Kids is the namesake of Katherine “Kitty” Barnette Carneal, a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church until her death in 1997.

Margaret Katherine Martin was born on September 6, 1915, in Hanover County.  The eldest daughter of Joseph and Goldie Martin of Ellerson, Katherine grew up on her parents’ farm with her three sisters, a half sister and half brother, and graduated from Washington-Henry High School.

She married Patrick Henry Barnette of Studley in 1932.  Henry died tragically in an auto accident in 1941, leaving Katherine with their two sons and two daughters whose ages ranged from nine months to seven years.

Katherine and her little family – Martin E. “Bill”, Marian Kay, Henry Wayne, and Betty Bland – moved to her parents’ home on Pole Green Road.  She secured a job at Home Beneficial Life Insurance Company where she worked until her retirement in 1973.  Granny Martin taught her granddaughters to cook and sew, and Granddaddy Martin instructed his grandchildren in his strong work ethic and devotion to God.  Katherine and her parents made sure that the four children were in regular attendance at Shady Grove.

After raising all four children to adulthood, Katherine married George A. Carneal of Ellerson in 1959 and became a second mother to his three children, Dorothy Mae, George A. Jr., and Franklin Lee.  George and “Kitty”, as she was known to him, enjoyed a marriage of 35 years until his death in 1995.

Katherine loved children and was a faithful lifetime member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church.  In her later years, she commented frequently about “all the little children” at Shady Grove and especially enjoyed seeing her great-grandchildren in attendance.  Knowing that some of these great-grandchildren would attend Shady Grove’s Preschool would have been a special joy for Kitty.

Because of her keen interest in the plans for the development of a Preschool/Child Care program, her children increased her bequeathment to Shady Grove and designated it for this program, thus providing the necessary funds to open Kitty’s Kids at Shady Grove, Inc.  There is no doubt that this would have been Kitty’s desire.

Philosophy

He said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  --Mark 10:14

Kitty’s Kids at Shady Grove, Inc. is an outreach ministry of Shady Grove United Methodist Church.  Kitty’s Kids is offered for children ranging from 3 years old through 5th grade.  Kitty’s Kids accepts all of God’s children of all races, gender, color and national or ethnic origin.  Kitty’s Kids recognizes that in the world we live today, parents need a secure environment where their children can grow and develop socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.  As servants of Christ, the Kitty’s Kids staff creates a loving and nurturing Christian atmosphere.

About Kitty’s Kids

Kitty’s Kids at Shady Grove, Inc. is a non-profit entity established for the purpose of providing Christian-based, affordable Child Care, Preschool, and School Age programs for families living in the area near Shady Grove United Methodist Church.  Donations are tax deductible.  Kitty’s Kids is certified through the Department of Social Services as a Religiously Exempt facility (a Public Disclosure Statement is available upon request in the Kitty’s Kids Office). 

Kitty’s Kids is located in the newly constructed portion of the 2nd Floor of the Gym Wing of Shady Grove United Methodist Church.  During the school year we operate with up to 6 Preschool Classes, 2 Child Care Classes, and 3 School Age Classes totaling an average of 130-140 children ranging in age 3 years old to 5th grade.  Kitty’s Kids also uses the Kitchen, Playground and Gym facilities in Shady Grove UMC for activities.  Kitty’s Kids is covered by liability insurance which provides coverage in the event someone brings suit for personal or bodily harm suffered during the operation of Kitty’s Kids as a result of negligence.    

Kitty’s Kids physical address is 8209 Shady Grove Road, Mechanicsville, VA  23111.  However, our mailing address is P.O. Box 8, Mechanicsville, VA  23111.  We also have all of our current information, memos, and more posted online on our website (www.kittyskids.org). 

Kitty’s Kids phone number is separate from the Shady Grove UMC.  The phone number for the Kitty’s Kids Office is 559-7690.  This number is connected to the church voice mail.  When you receive the church voice mail, press 212 for Kitty’s Kids. 

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors (the Board) oversees the planning and operations of the school and employs the staff to plan and supervise daily activities for the center.  Established by the Council of Shady Grove, the Board includes a minimum of nine members, the majority of whom are members of Shady Grove United Methodist Church.  Board meetings are held at least quarterly.  The Executive Committee of the Board meets on a monthly basis.