Welcome to Orange Preschool at Orange United Methodist Church,where over 125 young children engage in daily activities and adventures to learn, explore, play, sing and laugh
We have openings in our 5-day four-year old classes for 2010-2011!! Don't miss the chance to enroll your child in our wonderful pre-K program. If you are interested in enrolling your child, please download the application and return it to Diana Backus, Preschool Director. Contact Diana Backus at 942-3495 if you have any questions. We are excited for your child to learn and play with us!
The OUMC Preschool program is an outreach ministry designed to provide a safe, loving environment that enables children to explore and develop their abilities at their own pace. We strive to foster confidence and an enthusiasm for learning. We also encourage self-discipline, kindness, and sharing. Our classes allow for individual expression through guided play activities, creative art work, music, gross and fine motor activities, language development, story times and other group activities.
Parents should be aware that the Preschool does not engage in the formal teaching of reading and math. Children need to develop a foundation for that kind of learning. We have endeavored to provide that foundation by helping children to develop concepts and readiness skills that they will need when entering school.
There are several things we include in our curriculum: Bible stories and verses, prayer, Christian interpretations of holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Application Process
Registration
The registration for Orange Preschool occurs in January each year. Please pick up a form from the Preschool or use the application above. Priority admission is based as follows:
- Currently enrolled - January 10th
- Church Members - January 17th-31st
- Sibling of currently enrolled - February as space become available
- Wait List
Fees for 2010-2011
- Tuition
- 2-day = $155.00/month
- 3-day = $215.00/month
- 4-day = $265.00/month
- 5-day = $320.00/month
- Supply fees - one time fee
- 2-day = $ 85.00
- 3-day = $120.00
- 4-day = $155.00
- 5-day = $185.00
Scholarships
Limited scholarships are available in the preschool office. Applications must be in by March 15th.
Top of pageClass and Faculty
The Orange Preschool manages class size by age. Programs are available for young children turning one year-old as of July 1st through four years-old. Children of older classes must reach the appropriate class age by August 31.
Class Composition
Toddlers between 12 months through 23 months may select programs that attend two days a week. Two-year-olds through 4-year-olds may select programs that meet more often. The class programs are as follows:
- One-year-olds:
- Tuesday / Thursday
- Teacher/student ratio: 2:8
- Two-year-olds:
- Class I: Monday / Wednesday / Friday
- Class II: Tuesday / Thursday
- Class III: Monday / Wednesday
- Teacher/student ratio: 2:10
- Three-year-olds:
- Class I: Monday / Wednesday / Friday
- Class II: Tuesday / Thursday
- Class III: Monday-Friday
- Teacher/student ratio: 2:12
- Four-year-olds:
- Class I: Monday-Friday
- Class II: Monday-Friday
- Class III: Monday-Thursday
- Teacher/student ratio: 2:14
Music class is offered once-a-week for the 2's, 3's and 4's with a teacher who solely focuses on music for the entire preschool. Science class offered once-a-week for our 3's and 4's in a dedicated science lab.
Faculty
Our Faculty is the strength and centerpiece of the Preschool. They are qualified and offer a caring environment that encourages learning, exploration and development.
Facilities
The Orange Preschool is housed within the Orange United Methodist Church Fellowship and Education building. Restrooms are provided on each level.
- Classrooms - Each classroom contains child-sized desks, chairs and shelves to encourage use of the provided age-appropriate toys, books, and activity centers.
- Playground - Adjacent to the Preschool is our playground in which the children love to play and explore. This playground is contained and features popular children-safe swings, climbing gyms, wooden Ark, rocking horses, sand and digging toys and more. The playground meets all codes for the City of Chapel Hill.
- Music - The music is provided by utlilizing the many assets of the church facility - pianos, media equipment, and more!
- The Hut - The log cabin "Hut" is a standalone building adjacent to the sanctuary that offers a large meeting room with its own kitchen and restroom facilities
