Program and Purpose
Teaching Philosophy
Meet Our Staff
	Director
	Teachers
	Parent Advisory Board
2010-2011 Calendar
A Typical Day in Preschool

Preschool Program and Purpose

First United Methodist Co-op Preschool is an outreach program of First United Methodist Church designed to provide Christian training and social experience for preschool age children. Members of FUMC see our preschool as a way to live out the message of God's love in the community. It is a ministry of the church which cares for children, shows concern for families, and provides support and nurturing for its own congregation and for the surrounding community. Our church shares the belief with our preschool that each child is a child of God and should have every opportunity to develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually to their fullest potential. Biblical and Christian values are an integral part of our program. The main theme that permeates our entire program is that every person is valued by God. We therefore provide many experiences to build a good self-image. Because we believe that we are made in the image of God and are given the capacity to create, we encourage creativity through art, music, drama, and play.

Our mission is to provide a safe, happy and developmentally appropriate place for your children to cultivate their own unique talents during their preschool years, to develop socialization skills that will assist them in interacting in a school environment and to encourage an appreciation and awareness of God's love.

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Teaching Philosophy

In our preschool classrooms, we endeavor to create an atmosphere of stimulation, opportunity and discovery through curriculum planning. This plan provides a Christian approach to the child's social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. Readiness skills in these areas are fostered as the child plays and works with other children. Readiness is what a child does; not something that can be done to him/her It happens at different stages, different times, and each child at his/her own pace. Therefore, we plan for developmentally appropriate experiences. We provide a wide range of activities, which open the doors for a child to grow intellectually.

Fun is an important part of our program. An atmosphere of fun allows a child the freedom to move about, to be at work or play without undue pressures. To a child, work and play are synonymous. Our goal is for a child to leave our preschool with a love of learning and a curiosity about the world.

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Meet Our Staff

Director:

Laura Lechtenberg Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Child Development from San Diego State University and is Director qualified by the State of Colorado. She has been working with young children since 1986. Laura joined the staff at FUMC Coop Preschool in 1996 as a teacher and became the director of the program in January of 2001. email Laura

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Teachers:

Kathy Herman (MWF AM and PM Pre-K Teacher) Kathy received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois State University with a major in Special Education. Kathy joined the teaching staff at FUMC Coop Preschool in 1990. Kathy teaches the morning and afternoon MWF Pre-K classes.

Pat Jackson (4-Day AM Pre-K Teacher) Pat holds a BS in Elementary Education and an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has 23 years of experience teaching preschool. We are thrilled to have her join our staff this year.

Kris Horn (MWF Pre-K Teacher) Kris holds a BA from UC Santa Barbara with continuing education in Early Childhood Education. Kris has experience as a substitute for FUMC as well as 3 years of experience teaching at an accredited preschool in California.

Laurie Landers (3 Year Old Teacher) Laurie is Director Certified by the State of Colorado, which includes 24 Early Childhood credit hours from the following colleges: Colorado Mountain College, Colorado Northwestern Community College, and Colorado State University. Laurie has 20 years of experience working with young children. Currently Laurie is on the nominating committee for the Colordo Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC). She is also a past president of the Larimer District of CAEYC. Laurie joined the teaching staff at FUMC in fall 2000. Laurie teaches the MWF and TTH 3 year old classes.

Laurie Elliott (3 Year-Old Teacher) Laurie holds a BS from the University of Northern Colorado with continuing education in Early Childhood Education. She has accumulated eight years of experience working with young children at Linton Elementary, Fullana Learning Center, Plymouth Children’s Center and FUMC’s Mom’s Day Out.

Jill Bedard (Creative Movement) Jill Bedard holds BS Degree in Excercise and Sports Science from CSU. Jill joined the staff in 2001.

Collectively the staff of FUMC has 30 years of experience teaching at FUMC Coop Preschool and 50 years of teaching experience. Six of our seven staff members' children attended this preschool. The cooperative philosophy between parents and educators is in our blood and we warmly embrace each new family.

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Parent Advisory Board:

President

Description: Responsible for establishing an agenda and presiding over all Parent Advisory Board (PAB) and parent meetings. Represents the preschool at church and community functions. Works closely with the Director.

Qualifications: It is recommended that the applicant be a member of the First United Methodist Church, have leadership ability and possess strong organization skills. Applicant must have a child attending the preschool.

Benefits: $350 tuition reduction, no registration fee and one workday per semester.

Vice-President

Description: Handles meetings when the President is away. Determines committee assignments and ensures their completion. Helps the President when needed.

Qualifications:It is recommended that the applicant be a member of the FUMC, have leadership ability and strong organizational skills. Applicant must have a child attending the preschool.

Benefits: $350 tuition reduction, no registration fee and one workday per semester.

Purchasing Coordinator

Description: Is responsible for all inventory and purchasing of supplies, materials, and equipment for the preschool. The purchasing coordinator is the chairperson for the Inventory and Carpentry committees. A major portion of this job is done during the summer.

Qualifications: Must possess organization skills. It is recommended, but not required, that the applicant be a member of FUMC. Applicant must have a child attending the preschool.

Benefits: $350 tuition reduction, no registration fee and one workday per semester.

Secretary

Description: Is responsible for generating and maintaining minutes of all official preschool parent and board meetings, of developing and distributing monthly preschool parent newsletters, and for maintaining the preschool bulletin board (committee chair). The secretary is also responsible for updating and maintaining the preschool Policy Manual and typing and distributing other communications as necessary.

Qualifications: Must have access to and knowledge of computer and graphic software to generate monthly preschool newsletter. Must have good written and verbal communication skills and possess organization skills. Applicant does not need to be a member of FUMC, but does need to have a child attending the preschool.

Benefits: $350 tuition reduction, no registration fee and one workday per semester.

Coordinator's Job Descriptions

AM Coordinator - Manager

Description: Oversees the activities of all three coordinators. Is responsible for working with the AM Coordinator to schedule workdays for all morning parents during the school year and to verify each morning that parents are in their workday assignments. Also to assist the PM -- Coordinator in scheduling workdays for all afternoon parents during the school year.

Qualifications: Should have excellent organizational and people skills. This position requires a great deal of interaction with parents as well as both coordinators. Applicant does not need to be a member of FUMC, but does need to have a child attending the preschool.

Benefits: $350 tuition reduction, no registration fee and one workday per semester.

AM Coordinator

Description: Works with AM Coordinator - Manager to assign workdays for all morning parents during the school year. Verifies that parents are in their workday assignments. Is the Chairperson for Special Programs Committee.

Qualifications: Should have excellent organizational and people skills. Applicant does not need to be a member of FUMC but must have a child attending the preschool.

Benefits: $350 tuition reduction, no registration fee and one workday per semester.

PM Coordinator

Description: Responsible for assigning workdays for all afternoon parents during the school year, verifying that afternoon parents are in their workday assignments. Is the Chairperson for the Lunch Bunch Committee.

Qualifications: Should have excellent organization and people skills. This position has a lot of interaction with parents. The applicant does not need to be a member of FUMC but must have a child attending the preschool.

Benefits: $350 tuition reduction, no registration fee and one workday per semester.

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