University Presbyterian Church believes that one of the responsibilities of the church is to support families in their efforts to provide children with early childhood experiences that take place in an atmosphere conducive to meeting children's needs for wholesome mental, emotional, and spiritual development. University Presbyterian Church believes that a half day preschool remains relevant to many of University Presbyterian Church's members and provides an expression of pastoral care and nurture. Along with this service to its own members, a half day preschool continues to be greatly needed in this community, especially when it is one that is church based and is an inclusive ministry without regard for religious belief, gender, class, race or national origin.
SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
It is UPPS's belief that children learn best if they have confidence in themselves and in their acceptance as worthy people. Enhancement of self-esteem is a top priority of the school. Self-esteem is enhanced by enabling children to handle social situations one-on-one, as well as in a group. Through play children learn about the world; therefore, UPPS's setting is conducive to teaching in a non-stressful, comfortable way. There are opportunities for children to have individual instruction as well as participate in group activities. The basis of effective teaching is meeting children where they are developmentally in order to help them grow. Basic concepts are best learned through concrete experiences built upon each other, one step at a time. Children learn by doing. Teachers work hard to provide an environment that teaches children while they play.
SCHOOL GOALS
UPPS strongly urges parent involvement in the classrooms and with activities which support and relate to the classrooms. The following goals have been established for the preschool:
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* to encourage children to develop good self-concepts |
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* to promote concern for the complete child: emotionally, socially, intellectually, and physically |
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* to provide opportunities to develop each child's uniqueness
while providing an opportunity for the child to function well
in a group |
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* to engender excitement about participating in school and
for learning |
The director of the UPPS program is Ellen Parker [telephone: 919- 929-8658; email: preschool@upcch.org]. UPPS is governed by the Session of University Presbyterian Church through the UPPS session committee. The chairperson of the committee is Laura Baxley.
