STATEMENT
OF PHILOSOPHY
UUM
Preschool is a secular, non-profit, developmental preschool serving University
City, Missouri. and surrounding areas. Our
philosophy is one of inclusion and we feel like all kinds of diversity enrich
our program. We welcome everyone on a first come first serve basis embracing
racial, ethnic, religious, developmental and economic differences.
Our
emphasis is on social and emotional growth and the development of good language
skills. Competence in these areas lay
the foundation for all academic success. The program is designed to give each
child an opportunity to be successful through challenging and varied activities
that help develop a good sense of self.
HISTORY
UUM
Preschool was founded in 1959 by Jane Paine*. Her vision was to establish a
high quality, secular preschool program housed in University United Methodist Church for the children of
church members as well as those in the community. She recruited the best people
and developed a curriculum based on educational research with a commitment to
excellence that holds true today.
JANE
PAINE Founder of UUM Preschool
Jane
has spent her life developing educational programs for St. Louis children and
youth. She helped establish the Head
Start program at the Paige Park YMCA, and served on the board of Epworth
Children’s Home. She worked for the
White House Conference on Education and then the Danforth Foundation for many
years. While there she was a leading force
in the creation and expansion of the Parents as Teachers program and its national
center here in St. Louis. She is a recipient of the Citizens for Missouri’s
Children Award. She and her husband, Dr. Bob Paine co-founded and co-directs
the Health Protection Education Services (HPES) program that offers health
screenings to uninsured or underinsured members of the community. Last year, on
the 50th anniversary, Jane came back to UUM Preschool by again joining the
UUM Preschool Advisory Board.