Thomas Family Enrichment Center

Our Teachers

Carita Douglas, Director Ms. Douglas graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1996 with Bachelor’s of Science Education B.Ed. In 1994, she obtained a Master of Education M.Ed, in Educational Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She earned an Educational Specialist Ed.S, degree in Educational Administration in 2009 from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Ms. Douglas holds a Principal certification K-8 and teacher certifications in Middle School Education 4-8, Language Arts 4-8, and Social Studies 4-8. In 2021, Ms. Douglas earned an Associate Degree in Nursing, ADN from St. Louis Community College and is a registered nurse, RN.

Braxton Douglas, Assistant Director Ms. Braxton graduated from Hazelwood East High School in 2016. She is currently pursuing a degree in Child and Family Development with a focus on Early Childhood Education at Saint Louis Community College. With a passion for children’s growth and development, Braxton specializes in working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children from kindergarten through third grade.

Braxton’s love for early childhood education stems from her belief that the foundation laid during a child’s earliest years is critical to their lifelong success. She is dedicated to creating a nurturing, stimulating, and inclusive environment where young learners can thrive. Her specialized experience spans multiple age groups, allowing her to tailor educational experiences that support each stage of a child’s development.

With a deep understanding of child development and hands-on experience in education settings, our team brings both expertise and compassion to our role as Directors. Our commitment to fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young children makes us an invaluable asset to the program and a trusted partner to the families served.

Philosophy

At Thomas Family Enrichment Center, we believe children learn best when they are actively engaged, curious, and inspired to explore the world around them. Our STEAM approach — Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math — gives students hands-on opportunities to think critically, solve problems, and express their creativity. Through exciting projects, interactive experiments, and real-world challenges, children build skills that prepare them for success both in school and in life. We foster an environment where every child feels encouraged to ask questions, collaborate with peers, and see themselves as innovators, creators, and lifelong learners.

About our program

At Thomas Family Enrichment Center in Ferguson, children thrive in a warm, nurturing atmosphere. Our interactive approach to learning sets us apart, with a strong emphasis on STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math). Parents are encouraged to actively participate in their child’s educational journey, making it a truly enriching experience for the whole family.

Admissions

1. Sign Up

• Families start by registering their child on Wonderschool.

2. Tour & Meet the Directors:

• Next, we schedule a tour so you can see our facility and meet our directors in person.

3. Subsidy Enrollment:

• If your child qualifies for subsidy, we provide the DVN during the tour and assist you in completing all necessary paperwork.
• Subsidy enrollment is a process but straightforward.

Private Pay Enrollment: If your child will be private pay, enrollment can begin as soon as a spot is available.