Our Mission
At Sunrise UMC Preschool, we offer a unique half-day, play-based program that beautifully intertwines Christian values with learning. Our approach prioritizes the developmental benefits of play, allowing children to explore, experiment, and engage their imaginations—key elements that nurture cognitive, social, and emotional growth. In our intimate setting, with only 8 students and 2 devoted teachers per class, we provide personalized attention that honors each child’s individual learning style. This small size fosters a sense of community and trust, ensuring that your child not only learns foundational academic skills but also understands their place as a cherished child of God through Bible stories, songs, prayer, and chapel time. We partner with you—the parents and guardians—embracing our shared mission to nurture your child’s educational journey with care, communication, and a steadfast foundation in faith.
OUR TWO YEAR OLD PROGRAM
We understand the pivotal role early education plays in fostering a child’s development, particularly at the tender age of two. Our preschool program is designed to gently guide your child through the important transition of separating from mom and dad, while nurturing their ability to take instruction from others and work collaboratively in a group setting. This cornerstone of early childhood education not only supports kindergarten readiness but also instills the foundational skills of being a good friend—sharing, patience, and empathy. Our mission is deeply rooted in a collaborative partnership with parents and guardians, ensuring we create a supportive, play-based learning environment that respects each child’s unique needs. Emphasizing Christian values through engaging Bible stories, songs, and chapel time, we are dedicated to nurturing every aspect of your child’s growth—physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual. With a small class size of eight children led by two nurturing teachers, we provide personalized attention and foster a safe, community-oriented space where education, trust, and communication flourish. Our preschool is committed to laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning and fostering a sense of belonging that extends beyond the classroom.
At Sunrise UMC Preschool, we recognize the immense value of early childhood development, which is why our program for 2-year-olds is meticulously crafted to foster foundational skills through engaging weekly themes. Your little ones will delve into a world of colors and shapes, embark on the joy of counting, and embrace the first steps of name recognition, all while refining their fine motor abilities. These early experiences are not just play; they are essential building blocks in a child’s developmental journey, setting the stage for lifelong learning. With a balanced ratio of 8 children to 2 attentive teachers, we can tailor our activities to cater to individual learning styles, guaranteeing that each child’s physical, mental, and emotional needs are met with the utmost care and respect.
OUR THREE YEAR OLD PROGRAM
Our three-year-old program represents a pivotal stage in a child’s educational journey. Building upon the foundational skills cultivated in our two’s program, we introduce concepts such as the calendar, fostering a sense of time and routine that aids in developing organizational skills. As part of our community-driven approach, we also introduce classroom jobs, teaching responsibility and the importance of each child’s role in maintaining a harmonious learning environment. These jobs foster a sense of belonging and accountability, crucial traits that align with our commitment to nurturing community values. Our curriculum continues to emphasize the alphabet, guiding children to see beyond the shapes and understand the significance and meaning of each letter. This foundational literacy work is complemented by our focus on writing and name recognition, ensuring that these early years are rich with opportunities for personal expression and communication. By enhancing fine motor skills through engaging, hands-on activities, we ensure that each child’s developmental needs are comprehensively met. These carefully crafted experiences not only prepare children for kindergarten readiness but also uphold our dedication to delivering a play-based program steeped in Christian teachings and values, creating a balanced environment where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
OUR four YEAR OLD PROGRAM
We are dedicated to preparing your child for the exciting leap into kindergarten. Our team of experienced educators, including all four-year-old teachers and our director, participate in a specialized kindergarten readiness workshop each year. This commitment ensures that we are fully attuned to the academic and emotional needs of each student. Through engaging weekly themes and activities like our “Letter of the Week,” “Letter Bag,” and classroom jobs, we foster a dynamic learning environment that strengthens developmental milestones. We emphasize foundational skills by teaching children to recognize and write their first and last names, and even learn essential personal details such as their phone number and address. Our program also nurtures independence in everyday tasks like opening snacks and putting on jackets, equipping them with the confidence to thrive in elementary school. In October, we conduct a formal assessment to gauge each child’s academic and social progress, providing valuable insights for parents as they make informed decisions about their child’s educational journey. At the heart of our mission is the partnership with parents, ensuring a nurturing space grounded in Christian values, where your child’s unique learning style is embraced with care, service, and community trust.
We are committed to nurturing young minds through our innovative use of programs like Letterland and Handwriting Without Tears, which are specifically designed for our 4-year-olds to build a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy. Letterland, with its creative use of stories and characters, helps children understand letter sounds and shapes in a fun, engaging manner, while Handwriting Without Tears focuses on developing writing skills with a stress-free approach. These programs not only enhance letter recognition, formation, and sound, but also emphasize number identification, formation, and understanding of value, all in alignment with our mission to prepare children for kindergarten in a supportive, joy-filled environment that integrates Christian values into everyday learning. By equipping children with these essential skills, we ensure they are well-prepared for educational success and instill in them a lifelong love for learning and growth in their faith.
https://www.lwtears.com/solutions/writing/handwriting-without-tears
CHAPEL
Introducing children to the foundational stories of the Bible is a crucial element of their holistic development. Each week, your child will delight in exploring the vibrant world of our chapel, initially uncovering the significance of church elements such as the pulpit and the cross. This knowledge sets the stage for an enriching journey into different Bible stories, which are carefully selected and presented to nurture an understanding of Christian values and the wisdom they impart. With a strong focus on their relevance to our lives today, these stories become more than tales; they are lessons that teach compassion, empathy, and resilience. Engaging activities like song and movement complement the storytelling, ensuring a lively and memorable learning experience that embraces the natural curiosity and energy of young minds.
MUSIC
Our preschool believes that music is a pivotal part of your child’s early development. Each week, your child will be immersed in our music program, designed to instill a love and understanding of music from a young age. In these classes, children will explore the core elements of music, such as rhythm, pitch, and tone, through hands-on activities and engaging lessons. They will also be introduced to the classes of instruments—strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion—with tangible examples like violins, flutes, trumpets, and drums to deepen their understanding. Our approach to music education emphasizes not only learning but having fun through singing songs and enjoying movement activities. These joyful explorations culminate in music programs where parents are invited to witness the progress and joy of learning shared by our students. At the heart of our program is the understanding that music aids in a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development by fostering communication, enhancing creativity, and building self-confidence.
Why We Are Unique
At Sunrise UMC Preschool, we are committed to nurturing your child’s early development through a holistic approach that emphasizes Christian values and a play-based learning environment. Nestled in the heart of Holly Springs, we’re one of only two church-based preschools in the area, providing the convenience and comfort for caregivers who wish to stay close to home. Our extended half-hour program equips you with the additional time you need for errands or engagements outside of town, ensuring a stress-free return to pick up your child. Our inclusive and supportive environment, with a teacher-to-child ratio of 2:8, ensures personalized attention, fostering social, emotional, and spiritual growth through engaging activities like Bible stories, songs, and prayer. We pride ourselves on a curriculum that incorporates Handwriting Without Tears and Letterland, promoting a seamless transition into kindergarten. Carpool drop-off and pick-up provide added convenience, reflecting our commitment to service, care, and community. Trust in our dedication to partner with you, cultivating an enriching preschool experience marked by respect and clear communication.
Private Messaging AND BILLING System
As part of our commitment to seamless communication and organization, we proudly utilize Brightwheel—a comprehensive tool crafted specifically for child care dynamics. Through this platform, parents gain a holistic view of their child’s preschool journey, from class updates and direct messaging with staff to seamless online billing and document management, all at your fingertips. Enrollment in our preschool automatically grants you access to this indispensable resource, keeping you actively connected to your child’s progress and our vibrant preschool community.
Inclement Weather policy
At Sunrise UMC Preschool, we recognize the value of seamless coordination with the Wake County Public School System calendar to foster a reliable and predictable learning environment. By mirroring their holiday schedule and teacher workdays, we ensure your planning is never interrupted. Our commitment to your child’s educational journey is reflected in our adherence to their inclement weather policies as well, prioritizing the safety and well-being of our young learners. You will receive a comprehensive calendar at Meet The Teacher, detailing all school events and closures to align our expectations and enhance communication.
If inclement weather is predicted, Sunrise Preschool will follow the Wake County Public School System. If WCPSS is closed due to weather, Sunrise Preschool will be closed due to weather. If the public schools open one hour late due to weather conditions, SUMCP will begin at 10 am. If WCPSS opens on a 2 or 3 hour delay, SUMC Preschool will be closed.
The preschool is unable to make up snow days.
Contact Us
Please contact the Preschool Director, Rachel Davis, for any additional information at 919-303-3720, X204 or email at preschooldirector@mysunrise.org.
