Our Curriculum
Young children learn best through play, and everything we do is built around that belief.

A Day at UUMP
Each day, children enjoy a rich mix of experiences:

  • Learning centers
  • Small and large group activities
  • Free play and teacher-led activities
  • Structured and unstructured outdoor play
  • Music
  • Age-appropriate chapel time with our Director of Children and Family Ministries
  • Snack and lunch together

Together, these experiences nurture creativity, security, social-emotional growth, and academic readiness.

Growing the Whole Child
We know every child is an individual, so our program meets each child at their own developmental level. Activities help children build:

  • Receptive and expressive language
  • Early literacy and math skills
  • Science and STEM awareness
  • Creativity
  • Fine and gross motor skills
  • Social and Emotional Learning

For preschoolers, social and emotional skills are some of the most important lessons of all. At UUMP, these skills are modeled and taught through Conscious Discipline, so children learn to understand their feelings, solve problems, and build caring friendships. All of this happens in a warm, loving, and fun environment, guided by best teaching practices.

Faith at UUMP
As a ministry of University United Methodist Church, we celebrate Christmas and Easter, pray before meals, attend chapel twice per month, and sing familiar church songs. Above all, we help children learn that God loves them and knows them by name. Every family is welcome here. We embrace children of all faiths and religious backgrounds, all kinds of family structures, and all races and ethnicities.

Proud Member of DOPA
UUMP is an active member of the Durham Orange Preschool Association (DOPA). All DOPA member schools welcome children regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion, and each strives to offer a warm, caring environment for every family. Curriculum varies from school to school, but all DOPA schools emphasize social and emotional learning and learning through exploration and play. Each also works to balance structure and play in an age-appropriate way while monitoring developmental goals and milestones. Learn more about DOPA here.