About 1st United Methodist Co-op 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.

back to the top

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.

back to the top

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

back to the top

Teachers:

Kathy Herman (MWF AM 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 MWF Pre-K classes.

Laurie Landers (4-Day AM Pre-K 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. Laurie joined the teaching staff at FUMC in fall 2000. Laurie has taught the MWF and TTh 3 year old classes for the past 11 years and now will be teaching the 4 day Pre-K class.

Kris Horn (MWF AM and PM 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. Kris joined the teaching staff in 2009. Kris teaches the morning and afternoon MWF Pre-K classes.

Laurie Elliott (MWF and TTh 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. Laurie joined the teaching staff in 2009 and teaches the MWF and TTh 3 year old classes.

Ali Gessler (MW 3 Year-Old Teacher)
Ali holds a BS in Human Development and Family Studies with an Emphasis in Early Childhood Education from Colorado State University. She has experience as a Preschool Teacher and Preschool Director as well as experience as a parent at FUMC Coop Pre-School. We are delighted to have Ali join our staff this year she will teach the MW 3 year old class.

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

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.

back to the top

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.