Donna Dreveniak has a make-believe meal with Audrey Smith, 8, and Dathan Gillis, 4, Monday morning at the Mom's Morning Out program offered by Valencia Presbyterian Church. The free program gives mothers a two-hour respite once a week while professional caregivers watch their children.

VALENCIA — Dawn Beller takes her 2- and 5-year-old children to Valencia Presbyterian Church every Wednesday, then heads to the grocery store to shop in peace.

"That's miserable," said Beller of Adams Township, alluding to the stress of trying to shop with young children.

"It's my only two free hours each week. It's wonderful, and I know they're safe."

Beller is among a group of mothers who participate in the church's Mom's Morning Out program, which for three years has offered free care for children one morning a week. To meet community demand, the church recently doubled the program, adding a session from 10 a.m. to noon on Mondays.

Angie Gillis, Valencia Presbyterian's children's ministry director, said a 15-child maximum ensures a 5-to-1 ratio of students to adults. A long waiting list prompted organizers to add the Monday session.

Gillis said the church pays $6,500 per year for salaries and supplies for Mom's Morning Out, and each of the three staff members are paid professionals who have all their clearances and are trained in CPR.

She said children 2 and older enjoy a snack, song, craft and a short Bible story while their mothers do errands or just relax at home.

"Our purpose is to share Jesus' love with the community and provide nurturing, loving care to the children who attend," said Gillis.

Beller said her youngsters get excited when they realize it's time to go to the church.

"They love it," she said. "They see their friends, they love the different toys and they love their teacher."

According to Gillis, about half the children belong to church members.

One is Amy Molenda of Gibsonia, whose 4-year-old son has attended Mom's Morning Out since the program began. Molenda helped form the program when she served as a deacon at Valencia Presbyterian.

The stay-at-home mom said her son suffered separation anxiety at first, but now has play dates with a few of the children he has met at the church.

"He likes it," Molenda said. "He's made a couple of friends, and I never got called back to come get him."

Molenda's favorite aspect of the program is the Bible lesson given while the children enjoy a healthy snack.

"It's not all play," Molenda said. "There's a little bit of structure. And I feel it's important to start kids on the Bible early."

Gillis said that structure provides an advantage for children who enter preschool, as they are accustomed to socializing with other children and moving from activity to activity. She said the largest demographics in the program are 2- and 3-year-olds, and most parents go to the grocery store while their offspring play and learn at the church.

Gillis said all involved with the program recognize that being the parent of an active toddler can be a high-stress job. She said getting away, even for a few hours per week, is advantageous to both parent and child.

"We did a survey of parents who used the service, and the biggest response we got was 'It helped me be a better mommy,'" Gillis said.

Gillis said even though the program has expanded to twice a week, parents may only bring their children to one session each week.

For more information, call the church at 724-625-2002.