Overview
Facility
Staff
Safety
Founded more than 50 years ago, our preschool has been a trusted part of the community, providing a safe, nurturing place for young children to learn and grow. We are an outreach of Columbia Heights United Methodist Church, but our curriculum is non-religious and welcomes families of all backgrounds.
Licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and proudly Gold-rated through Ohio’s Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) system, our preschool meets standards that exceed basic licensing requirements for early childhood programs. Our focus is on play-based learning, social development, and preparing children for a confident start in kindergarten.
Our preschool features three bright, welcoming classrooms, each thoughtfully designed to support learning through play. Classrooms include dedicated play areas, cozy reading spaces, art stations, and sensory tables, giving children opportunities to explore, create, and build skills throughout the day.
We also offer an enrichment room that supports small-group activities and provides opportunities for more individualized attention.
For active play year-round, our indoor muscle room offers a safe space for movement and gross motor development when outdoor play isn’t possible. Outside, children enjoy a secure, age-appropriate playground designed for safe exploration and physical growth.
Our program is supported by a team of dedicated, caring professionals who are passionate about early childhood education and committed to nurturing each child’s growth. We believe strong relationships and experienced leadership are essential to a positive preschool experience.
Our teachers meet Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) requirements, which exceed Ohio’s standard licensing requirements for teacher education, ensuring highly trained educators in every classroom.
Our administrators bring an average of 15 years of experience in early childhood education. To maintain high standards, administrators complete at least 15 hours of professional development annually, while teachers complete a minimum of 10 hours each year to stay current with best practices.
The safety and well-being of our students is a top priority. Our preschool has a separate, secure entrance that remains locked while school is in session, along with a locked preschool wing within the building to limit access and ensure a safe learning environment.
All staff members are trained in CPR and First Aid, communicable disease prevention, and recognizing and reporting child abuse, meeting and exceeding required safety standards.
We maintain comprehensive disaster and emergency plans that are reviewed regularly and practiced through age-appropriate drills. These plans address a variety of situations, including severe weather, fire, and other emergencies, ensuring staff are prepared to respond quickly, calmly, and effectively.