Arrive & settle in
Warm greetings and open-ended indoor play help children transition into the day.
A joyful first school experience
Play, learn & grow together.
UMC Preschool is a non-profit, play-based preschool where caring educators nurture children’s social and emotional wellbeing, confidence, curiosity, and love of learning.
18 mo–5 yrs Ages served8:00–5:30 Mon–FriYear-round Rolling admissions
Little hands.
Big discoveries.
Big discoveries.
♥ Warm & nurturing✦ Play-based learning☀ Indoor + outdoor exploration● Non-profit & non-sectarian
Curiosity leads the way.
About UMC
A place where childhood is celebrated.
UMC Preschool – Burlingame is a non-profit, non-sectarian, full and part-day, year-round preschool serving children 18 months to 5 years old on the Burlingame United Methodist Church campus.
Our mission is to create a warm, supportive atmosphere where children develop positive feelings about their first school experience while growing physically, emotionally, intellectually, and socially.
01ConfidenceBuild a positive sense of self.
02ConnectionLearn through community and relationships.
03CuriosityExplore ideas through hands-on play.
04KindnessPractice empathy, respect and cooperation.
Programs
Designed for every stage of early childhood.
Choose full-day or part-day programming, 2, 3, or 5 days a week. Each classroom centers learning around play, relationships, language, movement and discovery.
Up to 15 students • 2 teachers
Toddler Program
A welcoming first preschool experience focused on social-emotional, verbal, cognitive and physical development through observing, imitating, exploring and mastering through play.
Sensory playLanguageFine + gross motorSocial skills
Arrival & indoor play
Morning meeting
Snack & bathroom
Teacher-directed & child-initiated activities
Lunch
Rest time
Snack & indoor/outdoor play
Pickup
Up to 24 students • 2 teachers
Mixed Age Program
Children learn alongside peers of different ages. Younger children gain confidence and model social expectations while older children develop leadership, empathy and cooperation, with focused preparation for Kindergarten.
Peer learningLeadershipKindergarten readinessCollaboration
Arrival
Manipulative activities
Morning circle & small groups
Music & movement
Outside free play
Lunch & free play
Rest time
Free choice
Pickup
A day at UMC
Busy hands, big feelings, happy discoveries.
A preschool day has a reassuring rhythm while leaving plenty of room for children to explore. Times vary by classroom, but the experience blends connection, movement, creative work, outdoor play, meals and rest.
Gather & connect
Morning meeting, stories, conversation and small-group experiences build community.
Create & discover
Art, sensory materials, manipulatives and child-initiated projects invite investigation.
Move & play
Children build confidence and gross-motor skills through active outdoor play.
Lunch & rest
Children refuel, slow down and have protected time to rest after a full morning.
Choose & reconnect
Snack, free choice and indoor or outdoor play carry children through pickup at 5:30.
Our approach
Children learn best by doing what comes naturally: playing.
Our emergent curriculum follows children’s interests. Teachers provide rich materials, meaningful choices and time for creative and cooperative play—then nurture, listen and guide as children learn.
✦
Child-led explorationRoom to investigate, imagine, build and create.
♥
Social-emotional growthPractice empathy, communication and conflict resolution.
↗
Growing independenceBuild confidence, problem-solving and self-advocacy.
“A lifelong love of learning begins with joy.”
Our team
Caring educators who know children well.
Our experienced team creates a warm, supportive environment where children feel known, encouraged and excited to learn.
School leadership
Teresa Campbell
Executive Director
Teresa leads UMC Preschool and supports our teaching team, children and families.
Liz Lucero
Master Teacher
Tess Balenbin
Teacher Assistant
Vikki Gomez
Master Teacher
Life at UMC
See learning in motion.
A glimpse of the creativity, friendship, movement and everyday discoveries that fill our classrooms and outdoor spaces.
Admissions
Come see UMC for yourself.
Admissions are rolling and year-round as space permits. The best first step is a tour so your family can see the classrooms, meet teachers and ask questions.
Schedule a tour
Visit the school, explore the facilities and learn about the programs.
Choose your program
Select the schedule that works for your family, based on available space.
Complete enrollment
Submit your agreement, registration fee and last-month tuition deposit.
Ready to meet us?Executive Director Teresa Campbell would love to hear from you.
Request a TourScheduling & tuition
Choose the rhythm that fits your family.
UMC offers full-day and part-day schedules with 2, 3 or 5 day-per-week options. Current tuition rates are provided directly by the Executive Director so families receive the most up-to-date pricing.
2 days/week3 days/week5 days/weekPart-dayFull-day
Current pricingRequest tuition information
Tell us your child’s age and preferred schedule and we’ll help identify the best-fit option.
Request pricingSchedule a tour
Come play, look around and ask us everything.
Tell us a little about your family and what you’re looking for. Teresa, our Executive Director, will follow up with you about touring UMC Preschool.
✓ Meet the teaching team✓ See classrooms and outdoor spaces✓ Talk through schedules and availability
What families say
★★★★★“UMC is a preschool like no other. The community is so warm and welcoming. All three of my children have attended and we are so happy with the teachers, families, and community!”
★★★★★“UMC is a school that truly embraces the magic of childhood. Our three children have all gone through the program and entered elementary school with love and enthusiasm for learning.”
FAQs
Questions families ask most.
Need something not covered here? Reach out directly and we’ll help.
Ask Teresa a question →What are your hours?+
UMC is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:30pm, with full-day and part-day options for 2, 3, or 5 days a week.
Does my child need to be toilet trained?+
No. UMC partners with families to keep toilet-training strategies consistent between home and school. Families provide diapers, wipes and extra clothing as needed.
Is UMC a co-op preschool?+
No. UMC is no longer a co-op preschool.
Is food provided?+
Children currently bring their own snacks and/or lunch from home. The school also incorporates cooking, baking and an edible garden into learning experiences.
Do you have space available?+
Availability changes throughout the year. Enrollment is first-come, first-served and families may join a waitlist when a class is full.
Visit UMC Preschool
Your child’s next adventure could start here.
1443 Howard Ave, Burlingame, CA 94010
Schedule a Tour