About Us
About First United Methodist Preschool
First United Methodist Preschool is a ministry of First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista, and has been a staple in the Chula Vista community for over 50 years.
We’ve served thousands of children and welcome families of all kinds of backgrounds and stories.
In our classrooms, your child’s needs always come first. When you attend First United Methodist Preschool in Chula Vista, you’re family!
We aim to foster trust, communication, warmth, care, and love in all parts of our school so that your child is not only learning, but thriving in a place that feels just like their second home.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and engaging early learning environment that effectively supports the diverse needs of children and families in our community. We provide opportunities for social-emotional interactions to foster cognitive growth and physical development.
At FUMP, we encourage growth in all areas of a child’s development.
We recognize that children have an innate desire to be wanted and recognized.
We prioritize building trust and safety in our relationships with children and in their relationships with one another.
We allow children to influence their own learning by sharing their interests and actively exploring their surrounding environment.
And we infuse Christian values into our everyday learning. Values like: love, trust, respect, responsibility, self-control, honesty, compassion, patience, thankfulness, humility, perserverance, and faith in God.
Our Philosophy
With over 50 years of commitment to our Chula Vista community, First United Methodist Preschool takes great pride in our history.
FUMP was started in 1969 as a mission of First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista. This means that our school campus is supported by and connected to the ministries of the church.
Not only are our classrooms located on the church campus, but our Methodist roots are woven into the curriculum and philosophy at our school.
As extensions of the ministries of the FUMCCV congregation, our preschool staff strive to faithfully serve God and the world with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.
We treat each child as a miraculous gift from God.
Our History
While we’re proud of our Christian roots, there are no religious requirements to attend FUMP. Many of our enrolled families attend the church where we’re located, but many others don’t.
While at FUMP, your child will learn to develop healthy relationships with God, themselves, and others, and will be introduced to values of love, care, and respect for others that are foundations for Christian living.
Since 1969, our school has been trusted by families to foster growth and education in their children. For decades, our school enrollment was maintained simply by word of mouth. Parents of FUMP children loved their experience with FUMP, and shared it generously with their friends.
In our current post-pandemic and increasingly digital world, we continue to rely on relationships and positive connections to attract families to our school.
We encourage you to come visit, get to know us, and see for yourself the ways we continue to bring love and magic into our classrooms.
Meet our Staff
Ms. Lisa
Preschool Director
Hi! I’m Ms. Lisa.
I’ve been working at FUMP for the past six years, and love seeing all of your chidren grow and learn every day in our classrooms.
My passion for fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment for young learners has guided my experience of over a decade in early chidhood education.
I’m dedicated to implementing innovative and inclusive teaching methods in and out of the classroom and encouraging an environment of growth.
I’m enthusiastic about fostering a love for learning in every child, and can’t wait to have your child at our school!
Miss Ana
Assistant Director
Hello! My name is Miss Ana.
With over seven years of passionate commitment to early childhood education, my journey has been marked by a deep dedication to fostering the growth and development of young minds.
As an experienced professional in this field, I've honed my skills in curriculum design, nurturing supportive environments, and fostering strong connections with both children and their families.
My tenure has been characterized by a fervent belief in the importance of early learning and the profound impact it has on shaping a child's future.
I thrive on creating enriching educational experiences that lay a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning and success.
I can’t wait to have your child in our preschool program!
Miss Kati
Preschool Chaplain
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours is your preschool open?
We’re open for students from 7am to 5pm Monday - Friday.
What is your teacher to student ratio?
On any given day we maintain a 6-to-1 or 8-to-1 ration of adults to students. We never go above a 12-to-1 ratio.
Does my child have to be potty trained to attend your preschool?
If your child is over the age of 3 years old, we do require them to be potty trained. If your child is under 3 years old, you will have the opportunity to share your child’s potty training status on your preschool registration paperwork.
How long do children play outside each day in your programs?
Outdoor exploration is an important part of a child’s mental and physical development. Children have access to unstructured outdoor play time in the morning before class starts, during lunch, and at the end of the school day. Additionaly, some classroom activities can also take place outside! That’s a total of a minimum of about 2 hours per day.
What do I do if my child has allergies?
Our preschool is a nut-free facility. If you have other allergy concerns, feel free to speak with our preschool staff for the best plan of action for your child.
How and how often do you communicate with parents?
At FUMP, we pride ourselves on our relationships with caregivers! You will have the chance to speak with your child’s teacher each day during pickup, and we send regular newletters, emails, and flyers home with parents about upcoming events and activities. We are also always available for a phone call or email correspondence during school hours. Check our parent page for upcoming gatherings with fellow preschool families!
Do you serve children with special needs in your preschool?
Unfortunately, we cannot serve children with special needs at this time. While we strive to be an open and accepting campus to all, we simply do not have the current certifications and staffing/facility capabilities to serve children who need additional support.
How do you group children into classrooms?
Children are grouped into classrooms by age ( 2-5 years old), which is the most developmentally appropriate. Currently, we have a nursery for 2-year-olds, a toddler classroom for 2.5 year olds, a younger 3-year-old and older 3-year-old classroom, and two 4-year-old classrooms. These numbers may vary slightly depending on enrollment and attendance.
Are you teachers first aid and CPR certified?
All First United Methodist Preschool teachers are first aid and CPR certified for children and adults.
Will my child be safe at your preschool?
We pride ourselves on the safety of our campus and work every day to ensure our environment is a safe and protected space for your child. We have two gates at the entrance to our preschool campus and all external doors are locked during the school day. Your child is supervised 100% of the day by a licensed teacher. Additionally, our doors are electronic doors eqipped with programmed key fobs to enter. Your child is very safe in our care!
Will my child be ready for kindergarten when they graduate your preschool program?
That’s our goal! There is a slight difference between childcare and preschool, and we offer both. While there are many opportunities for your child to have free play and down time througout the day at FUMP, we also work with your child to develop school readiness skills like letter and number sense, pre-reading and pre-math skills, school day expectations (standing in line, listening to classroom instructions, etc.), and a positive attitude toward learning.
What is the cutoff age for my child to attend?
We serve children between 2 years and 5 years old.
Are there any supplies my child will need to bring to school each day?
In order to have a successful day in preschool, we recommend your child bring a water bottle, extra set of clothes, and a blanket for nap time (full-time students only). Items can be left in your child’s cubby, so you do not need to remember to bring them every day. note: if your child is not potty trained, you may also need to supply diapers and wipes for your child.
How do I get started?
It’s easy! If you think that First United Methodist Preschool sounds like a great fit for you and your child, visit our enrollment page for next steps! We encourage a tour, so you can see our facilities and meet our staff in person, followed by submitting the necessary paperwork. All paperwork must be completed and submitted before your child’s start date, including your child’s physical reports and vaccines records. Visit our enrollment page for more info.