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.
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. We begin taking applications for the following fall on November 15th. Please use the application form above. Preschool tours are given on Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting November 15th. You must call ahead for an appointment. 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
A $30 application fee payable to Orange Preschool is due upon submitting an application.
A supply fee is paid annually and is due at time was acceptance into the program. Tuition for May of the following year will be due by March 15th. All payments are non-refundable. The supply fees are as follows:
- 2 days a week = $ 90.00
- 3 days a week = $125.00
- 4 days a week = $160.00
- 5 days a week = $190.00
Tuition is due by the 10th of each month. After the 10th, there is a $10 late fee. Please make checks payable to Orange UMC Preschool. Rates are as follows:
- 2 days a week = $170.00/month
- 3 days a week = $230.00/month
- 4 days a week = $300.00/month
- 5 days a week = $350.00/month
Lunch Bunch is an optional lunch-program for our 3 & 4 year olds from 12:15pm-12:55pm on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.. The cost is $6.00 per day.
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
