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Who we are
The UUMC Early Childhood Center was established in 1971 by the
University United Methodist Church. It serves primarily University of
Texas students and church members by providing quality care for
children in loving, nurturing half and full-day programs at
reasonable cost. When possible, it also offers child care to the
community at large.
The Center Programs
The UUMC Early Childhood Center offers a childcare program with
two basic options, a Cooperative and a Parents Day Out Program. The
Cooperative lets parents help create a positive environment for their
children. For each child enrolled, parents share a morning with the
children every two weeks by working as teachers' aides. Partly as a
consequence of this parental involvement, adult/child ratios are
excellent at the UUMC Early Childhood Center:
Infants:2 adults/6 infants
Toddlers: 2 adults/8 children
Playgroup: 2 adults/10 children
Threes Room: 2 adults/12 children
Fours Room: 2 adults/15 children
This care is available 5 mornings a week from 7:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., with an optional afternoon program from 12:15 - 5:15 p.m. for children from 2 months to 5 years of age. It is primarily designed to serve University of Texas student families and church families.
The Parents Day Out Program offers care two or three half-days for children ages 18 mos.-4 years. Children ages 18 mos.-- 2 1/2 meet on Tuesday + Thursday and the 3's class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Parents are encouraged to join committees and contribute their own special skills and talents by repairing toys, doing fund-raising projects or working on publications of the center. In addition, elected parents and church members help set policy on the center's Board of Directors.
Both programs follow the University of Texas calendar for a 12 month school year. December, January, May and August are short months. The center is closed for Christmas holidays, March spring break, and two weeks at the end of August.
Both the Cooperative and the Parents Day Out Program offer high quality childcare with low child-to-adult ratios. We provide an environment that encourages children to develop independence and confidence in their abilities by making choices in a stimulating environment. Through positive interactions with warm, caring adults, children gain respect for themselves and others. Nutritious snacks are provided by the parents on a rotating basis.
In each class, each child is regarded as an important, likeable, capable individual who is able to do worthwhile things. Children are encouraged to explore and experiment, develop self-confidence, learn to get along with others, problem solve, and become independent at their own individual pace.
Some activities are planned and structured. Others involve self-directed play where the child's individuality can be expressed. There is a fenced outdoor play area available daily for each age group. Older children take field trips to interesting places within the community.
Guidance at the UUMC Early Childhood Center is positive, designed to enhance the child's feeling of self worth. In other words, children are told what they can do rather than what they cannot do. Teachers and parents are encouraged to use redirection, to talk out misunderstandings, and to provide realistic choices for the child. With consistency and firmness, they help the child to accept his or her own feelings, while respecting others.
Infant Room
The Infant Room at the UUMC Early Childhood Center is a warm, loving,
safe environment for babies. Here they practice crawling, standing,
sitting, and eye-hand coordination. They learn concepts through the
use of games. And perhaps most importantly, they learn to trust that
their needs will be met and that others can help them.
Toddler Room
Children who are age one or older on September 1 are eligible for
the Toddler Room. The emphasis is on fostering positive self esteem
for each child, as well as on motor and language development.
Children learn to become more independent and self-reliant, while at
the same time learning to function in a group, to share, and to take
turns.
Twos Room
Children who are age two or older on September 1 can participate
in the Twos Room. These children learn to share friendship as
well as materials with others. They begin to learn to care for
themselves. They also focus on activities involving the five senses,
the joy of creating, and an introduction to the world around
them.
Threes and Fours
Children in these rooms learn through discovery, firsthand
experiences and play. The environment consists of strategically
prepared learning centers, available to children for self-directed
learning, with the teacher as a helper and guide. The children are
encouraged in a warm, accepting environment to be creative and to
problem solve, with decreasing adult intervention.
Extended Afternoon Option
Children enrolled in the Center are eligible for the optional
Afternoon Program. The afternoon program meets every day, but
children can register for any number of days. This afternoon care
group begins with lunch followed by a rest period. Later, the
children can participate in supervised play both indoors and
outdoors.
The UUMC Early Childhood Center provides parents with a variety of ways to participate in the program. At the Center, we not only welcome your children--we also welcome you and your involvement. Call or come by the UUMC Early Childhood Center at your convenience.
Contact Us
Early Childhood Center
2409 Guadalupe St., Austin, TX 78705
512-474-5101
(e-mail inquiries to Meredith Prater )
Staff
Meredith Prater, Director
Audrea Curtis, Education Specialist
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