Preschool- NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR!
St. Matthew UMC Preschool is an outreach ministry of the church that serves the community. It provides a safe, happy, structured program in a Christian environment. We encourage children to grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. St Matthew UMC Preschool is a place where children learn to work and play with others, develop skills at individual rates of growth, and express ideas through the many different activities.
Eligibility
Our preschool program is for children ages 2K, 3K or 4K (child must be program age by September 1).
Hours
9:00 am to 12:00 pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
We also offer a late-stay program for one or two additional hours. Your child may stay until 1:00 pm or 2:00 pm every day or occasionally. Reservations are required.
Calendar
Our school calendar is based on the Greenville County School system.
Inclement Weather Policy
In the event that Greenville County Schools are closed or delayed due to inclement weather, St Matthew Preschool will be closed. We will re-open when the public schools re-open on regular schedule.
Testimonial
Our family has truly enjoyed being a part of the St. Mathew Preschool program for the last 3 ½ years. When we moved to the area in 2019 and toured the school, I immediately felt at ease. From the teachers and staff who I could sense right away were patient and kind, to the charming environment with painted walls and cheerful classrooms, I knew I had found a gem of a preschool and that this would be the perfect learning and social environment for my children. My daughter had only one season at St. Mathew UMC Preschool before starting kindergarten, but my son started in the Toddlers classroom and is now finishing up in the “Fantastic Fours”. His preschool years have been filled with joy, and he always looks forward to the days of the week he gets to go to “school”. I know that the positive experience he has had at St. Mathew UMC Preschool is the reason for his excitement around all things school related, and he is well prepared to continue at “big kid” school next year. The teachers work hard to make learning FUN and sprinkle the school year with so many additional fun filled activities. From pumpkin patch days to Easter egg hunts, we loved the seasonal rhythm of the curriculum, and the spiritual lessons at the heart of each unit. I recently received a kindergarten readiness checklist, and I am happy to say my son checked all boxes with flying colors: from holding a pencil, forming letters, writing his name, letter and number skills, to personal independence tasks and social skills, I can confidently say he is ready for kindergarten thanks to the staff at St. Mathew UMC. Thank you, St. Mathew UMC, for being such a big part of our lives these last few years. We will certainly miss this wonderful program.
Register
For further information, to register, or to tour the preschool, please contact Christina Via, Director, at 864-242-2880 or cvia@stmatthewumc.net
Children and Youth Ministries
St. Matthew Kids
Sunday School 10 am – 10:45 am in the Education Building
Sunday school is one way we help children connect to each other and to God, to build their faith foundation. We meet to learn God’s story and to respond to God’s word through story, games, crafts, laughter, and discussion.
The education building remains locked at all times. When you arrive you will see a number to text to gain access.
Infant – 4-year-olds first floor
K5-5th grade second floor
Children’s Church
K4-2nd graders are invited to leave the service and be escorted to children’s church for an age-appropriate lesson on the aspects of worship and time to play in a room set in Bible times.
Sunday mornings during both worship services
Nursery Care
Sunday mornings from 8:45 – noon
Ages infant – 3 years old
St. Matthew Youth
We take the spiritual formation and development of our teenagers seriously. Our goal is to empower families of teenagers to come and worship, grow in their faith, to share the Word of God, and to go out into the world with the message of Jesus Christ.
We offer students the chance to connect with each other and God through programs designed specifically for them — Sunday Night Youth Group, missions, and retreats.
Youth Sunday School
Sundays • 10:00 am
We spend our time together learning what it is like to know who God is and how we can walk closer to him. There’s no formula for knowing everything about God, but there a few things you can do to get to know Him better.
Sunday Night United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF)
Sundays • 6:00-7:30 pm
Middle & High School Youth – Family Life Center
The goal of our youth program is to build relationships with St. Matthew students that foster their personal knowledge of, trust in, dependence upon, and love for Jesus Christ. Youth meet in the Family Life Center for a meal together, followed by fellowship and a program. Youth participate in group discussions, service projects, team building activities, games, and study issues of concern from a Christian perspective.
Younger Children’s Sunday School
Infant Nursery • Room E-101 (first floor Educational Building)
This nursery is available for newborns to approximately 16 months (or until they are able to walk well) during our Sunday morning services. The Infant Nursery is a peaceful space including an area with dim lighting so that infants may sleep in the cribs. This nursery is staffed only with women and has a nursing mother’s room so that moms can feel comfortable to nurse in private.
Toddler Nursery • Room E-103 (first floor Educational Building)
This nursery is for walkers to age three. The toys and activities in this room are tailored for children this age. There is also an adjoining bathroom to accommodate children who are potty training.
What to bring:
Parents should bring the following items each time your child visits the nursery – a diaper bag, diapers, change of clothes, and a ready to use bottle or sippy cup. All items should be labeled.
Nursery Availability
The nurseries are available during all worship services, Sunday school, and Wednesday night programs. For church meetings or other Bible studies, the nursery will be available on an as-needed basis. We encourage you to bring your children with you to any family-oriented events. If you are unsure whether childcare will be provided, please call the church office to inquire or request childcare. The infants may be combined into the Toddler Nursery, depending on the number of children present.
2 & 4 Year Olds (first floor Educational Building)
Room E-204 (second floor Educational Building)
Discover how Jesus lived using Deep Blue Curriculum and hands on experiences! In this fun classroom, children play and learn in a market place, house, carpentry station, and sand & water tables.
Elementary Children’s Sunday School
Our curriculum is designed to provoke discovery and invite kids into a new understanding of how to grow in a relationship with Jesus. Each week, elementary school students dig deeper into the Bible through activities, discussions and Bible study.
K5-3rd Grade (second floor of Education building)
4th & 5th Grade (second floor of Education building)