University Presbyterian Preschool

Solidarity with all whose Thanksgiving gatherings might look something like this🙃

Critters, Costumes, & (pan)Cakes… and some fun Chaos in the mix🦉🐍🦜🐊 Makes for some Friday night fun at UPPS

Join us on November 5th at 10am to learn more about University Presbyterian Preschool! RSVP to [email protected]

Support the UPPS Scholarship Fund this Sunday Sept 7th with a tasty purchase from the Yogurt Pump any time between 1-6pm! Mention UPPS at checkout and a portion of the proceeds will help fund Scholarships

When we slow down and truly observe children at play, we start to see the depth and complexity. They’re solving problems, building imaginary worlds, navigating social dynamics, taking creative risks, and developing emotional regulation. All without adult instruction or a formal lesson.

The key is to observe without interrupting. That means resisting the urge to quiz, correct, or narrate. Just...watch.

Look closely and you’ll see:
– Conflict negotiation
– Creative persistence
– Flexible thinking
– Focus and flow
– Problem-solving
– Self-direction

Observation isn’t passive. It’s how we get to know children deeply, what motivates them, challenges them, excites them. It’s how we learn who they are and what they need. And it’s how we earn the right to support them without hijacking their process.

At Rooted in Play, we don’t ask, “How do we teach through play?” We ask, “What is this play already teaching all of us?”

Thanks so much to for the inspiration to use our Parent Orientation as an opportunity to let our parents experience play in their child’s classroom! We used the Center Signs from to highlight all of the play benefits at each center

Well done UPC and preschool families! When it arrives, we will share pictures of the new bench you helped make by dropping off your plastic bags and wrap🎉

We hope you’ll keep up the habit of reusing those plastic bags- looks for bins at most grocery stores!

♻️ WE DID IT! ♻️

UPC successfully recycled 1000+ pounds of soft film plastic in less than a year! Thank you to all who made this possible (especially those who gathered and sorted all the donated plastic 😆 ), and to the Earth Care Team for helping us embrace a new way to care for the earth. We'll share pictures of our new NexTrex bench once we receive it!

While the recycle bins are no longer at UPC, you can still take your recycled plastic bags/soft film to several local places, including Wegman's, Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Sprouts, and Orange County Solid Waste. A full list can be found at nextrex.com.

I spy some Class of 2025 grads🎓 Congratulations seniors! Remember: everything you need to know in life you learned in preschool

Our hearts are still overflowing from the intergenerational friendships made during GrandFriends this spring❤️💕💙

Today we celebrated the retirement of a very special teacher❤️ Myra you have given your whole heart to your students, their families, and your co-teachers, we love you and will miss you but your legacy will carry on😘

So grateful for these incredible children and families, the amazing UPPS teachers, and the best week of Camp New Hope weather❤️