History + Goals
Westlake United Methodist Preschool has been in operation since January 1980. Westlake United Methodist Preschool was licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in 1984, and accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), in June 1987.
Westlake United Methodist Preschool is currently certified as a 4-Star Texas Rising Star Provider. Texas Rising Star programs were developed to provide families with the quality care that they need. To be a Texas Rising Star, child care providers must meet quality requirements that exceed the state’s minimum licensing standards and that are designed to enhance the intellectual, physical, and social/emotional development of the children in their care. As a Texas Rising Star provider, our program goes through a comprehensive self-assessment, an assessment by Rising Star specialists and monitoring visits.
TRS Programs Assess Quality Standards In These Areas:
- Staff and Director Qualifications
- Staff Orientation and Training
- Group size and ratios
- Parental involvement
- Nutrition/meal times
- Curriculum and activities
- Caregiver to child interactions
- Indoor/outdoor environments
- Health and Safety
- Early literacy
The philosophy and goals of Westlake United Methodist Preschool are to meet the needs of the "whole child". We strive to foster the development of each child’s social-emotional, cognitive, language, physical development and creative abilities through hands-on learning activities. Our goal is to create an environment in which children achieve independence, self-discipline, social competence, self-knowledge, and enthusiasm for learning. We work to foster positive attitudes, problem solving skills and intellectual growth. We seek to assist parents in understanding the developmental stage of their children and how best to contribute effectively to their child’s growth. We strive to work in partnership with families, each other and the community for the welfare of children. Parents are strongly encouraged to actively participate in their child's experience at the preschool.