The Hernando United Methodist Preschool is centered around the complete development of the young child.  In this Christian environment, the spiritual needs of the children and their moral development are considered an essential part of their growth along with the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual experiences.

Our program is based upon the foundations of Christian education and a child-centered curriculum.  During the early years, children need a stimulating environment which will enable them to build their own knowledge through "hands on" experiences.  We know that children learn through play.  Our curriculum is based upon that theory.  Our daily activities through play are all connected to learning and to previous real-life experiences.  Each child will then become skilled at how to connect what they have learned to the new experiences that they are surrounded with each and every day.

Each child is seen as a unique individual, loved and created by God, with their own special needs and interests.  Each day's events will build upon the child's past experiences and their readiness through a balance of structured and free choice activities.  These activities are designed to expand and enrich the child's self-concept and socialization skills while also providing the foundation for cognitive growth.

During these formative years, young children in their quest for knowledge are very active learners.  Through a variety of group and individual experiences we hope to enable each child to:

•    learn of Jesus as their personal friend and Savior
•    Develop a healthy concept of themselves
•    Explore their creativity
•    Gain competence in the areas of self-help skills and independence
•    Develop an awareness of the needs of others and a sense of cooperation
•    Strengthen and improve large and fine motor skills
•    Improve and extend communication skills
•    Develop a joy of learning and an interest in preschool readiness activities

Goals for Children

•    We strive to nurture children's emotional development so that they can identify their feelings and choose appropriate responses while maintaing a positive outlook;

•    to guide children to be respectful, independent, caring, accepting and honest in their relationships;

•    to bequeath to children assurance that they are unconditionally loved by God and that they have immeasurable worth;

•    to promote a healthy sense of self that motivates children to care for themselves and others;

•    to inspire children to be confident, independent thinkers who are inquisitive, creative and problem solvers.