Young children learn best through play, and our curriculum is structured around this core philosophy. At University United Methodist Preschool, children participate daily in a variety of activities including learning centers, small and large group activities, free play and teacher led activities, structured and unstructured outdoor play, music lessons and age-appropriate chapel time with the Director of Children and Family Ministries, and snack and lunch time in the classroom. All these activities and opportunities combine to provide rich learning experiences that foster creativity, security, social emotional learning, and academic advancement in our children. We recognize that each child is an individual and our program includes activities that help develop receptive and expressive language, early literacy skills, math skills, science and STEM awareness, creativity, and fine and gross motor skills, on each child’s own developmental level. Social and emotional skills are among the most important learning for preschoolers, and those skills are modeled and taught here within the framework of Conscious Discipline. We work to educate the whole child using best teaching practices in a warm, loving, and fun environment. As a ministry of University United Methodist Church, we celebrate the Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter, pray before meals, teach familiar church songs, and help children learn that God loves them and knows them by name. We welcome children of all faiths and religious backgrounds, all kinds of family structures, and all races and ethnicities.
UUMP is an active member of the Durham Orange Preschool Association. All DOPA member preschools accept children regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality or religion. We each strive to provide a warm and caring environment that is welcoming to all families. While curriculum varies from school to school, all DOPA member schools emphasize the importance of social and emotional learning, as well as learning through exploration and play. We strive to provide an age appropriate balance between structure and play, while monitoring developmental goals and milestones. Learn more about DOPA here.
