Exploration in Early Education

july-15-article2by Chelsea Pyne

Since its inception in 1969, Sedge Garden United Methodist Preschool (SGUMC) has been giving children an excellent, hands-on education grounded on Christian fundamentals.  Teachers design a play-based, creative classroom that includes school readiness activities, art, music, phonics, and science exploration to more spiritual activities such as devotions, chapel time, and mission projects.

Encouraging growth not only of the mind but also the soul is essential in living and developing fulfilled lives.  These fundamentals should be taught as early as possible.  This is why SGUMC Preschool has taken the initiative, now over forty-five years strong, to foster learning and create a well-rounded child through this kind of education.  Always focusing on the idea that “all children are children first” and each one is unique.

The daily routine is planned to provide appropriate activities which promote growth and development in all domains.  The goal of the preschool is to guide each child into discovery, experience learning, and explore creativity.  The school emphasizes Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) because children learn at their own pace.  Through enriching activities, SGUMC Preschool devises a classroom that encourages social, emotional, spiritual, creative, and cognitive grounds for learning.

Director Judy Hoyle, a former elementary school teacher, preschool teacher, and mother of four sons, is truly dedicated to the journey of education.  She explains, “Sedge Garden Preschool wants to help children develop a ‘love for learning.’  The most creative people in our society have often had a rich, playful early childhood.  So we meet the children where they are when they come to us, move them along socially, emotionally, and cognitively by planning through play and using research based curriculum.”

To be able to create an environment where all of these factors can intertwine seamlessly, they hold high standards for the teachers.  By attending the annual Western NC Weekday School Conference, Piedmont Association for the Early Young Child staff development workshops, and other small group and independent studies throughout the year, the knowledgeable staff can provide the best curriculum possible.  Furthermore, by following the notion that education is not the “filling of a bucket but the lighting of a fire,” the teachers are always striving for high quality learning environments.

“Our preschool has an open-ended integrated curriculum that pays attention to every child’s interests to help expand their knowledge and skills.  When you walk in we want you to see a sense of purpose, organization, and excitement.  You can immediately see learning occurring,” Judy says.  “It is the process of the activity, not the end product that is assessed when working with preschool children.”

Teacher Linsey Huffman explains, “Our staff is a team.  Because we work together, it goes right into the classroom and the children feel…loved.  Judy shows it to us and it trickles down to the children,” Linsey says.

Repeat parents are always a good sign that the preschool practices what it preaches.  Tara Moore says, “I have always felt that the school has strived to meet the individual needs of each one of my children.  It is comforting to drop them off at a place that puts ‘having fun’ as a top priority.  Children are not given unrealistic expectations and they are allowed to grow at their own pace.  We find the warmth and simplicity of Sedge Garden Preschool refreshing.  We look forward to registering our fourth child soon!”

Parents play a vital role in early development striving to foster these same fundamentals shared at SGUMC Preschool.  During the early ages of child development it is crucial for the child to bridge the gap between home and school in order to achieve readiness for elementary school.

The congregation of Sedge Garden United Methodist Church has always been a huge supporter for the preschool.  Each age group has certain Bible stories each month, starting with the creation story in September.  This year Preacher Dave, the senior pastor, presented each four-year-old with a children’s Bible as a gift from the church.

SGUMC Preschool currently has 130 children ages 18 months to 5 years enrolled on various days of the week.  Fall registration is now open.  Classes are daily from 9am-12pm with optional Lunch and Fun on Wednesday and Thursday.  The Transitional 5’s Class is designed to give children who are eligible for kindergarten another year of growth and development, the “gift of time,” before going to elementary school.  For tours or more information, please call Judy Hoyle at the preschool office.

 

336.788.2230  •  sedgegardenpreschool.com

794 Sedge Garden Rd., Kernersville, NC 27284

 

One comment on “Exploration in Early Education

  1. Jenna Maroney

    The amazing team at Sedge Garden UMC Preschool always made us feel like family, even from the moment this worried mom showed up just days before classes started last fall from out of state. My son had no problem transitioning to a new school because he felt the love and encouragement everyone offered! If he wasn’t off to Kindergarten, we would be back this fall. Great place to send your kids to learn and play thanks to the director, teachers, parents and the church community! Jenna Maroney

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