WINTON – A group of children from the Rehoboth Educational Services pre-school were on hand at the Hertford County Public Library on Monday as part of their summer reading program.

The pre-school, whose facility is in Ahoskie, is part of a Christian centered educational consultant agency for children ages 2-4, specifically designed to nurture the learning development of kids from working families.

The pre-school offers curriculum in such varied modules as letter recognition, number recognition, phonics, penmanship and early reading activities.

The summer reading program is a 10-week course that encompasses a structured learning environment with spiritual enrichment.

Children in the pre-school are also treated to monthly field trips in and around North Carolina and Virginia.

The program is in its fifth year of operation and is the benefactor of private donations as well as a Department of Social Services subsidy.

Director Taunya Melendez was on hand for the library trip.

&uot;We believe that children must be given a variety of enjoyable experiences to promote learning,&uot; Melendez stated. &uot;It is so much more interesting to read about a horse after having ridden one.&uot;

Melendez and husband Valeriano own and manage the program, which also offers an after school program and second shift child-care.

Melendez said, &uot;We try to be particularly conducive to the needs of working parents and parents who are attending school.&uot;

The summer reading program is also offered locally at public libraries in Ahoskie, Aulander, Murfreesboro and Windso.