West End Weekday Preschool, a ministry of West End United Methodist Church, is licensed by the State of Tennessee as a 3-Star center and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It is dedicated to providing a high-quality early childhood education for children from one through five years of age. Participation from the Nashville community and beyond is
encouraged. The Preschool is committed to providing an engaging and challenging environment where each child feels safe, happy, loved and valued as a unique individual. Each child is encouraged to develop at his own pace and to his individual capacity. The program is designed to foster physical, social-emotional, cognitive, creative expression through music and the arts, and language development. As children complete Preschool, they are empowered with a strong sense of self-worth, a “can-do” attitude, a resilient spirit, respect for others, keen problem-solving skills, the academic and language skills needed to succeed, an insatiable curiosity, and an eagerness to learn. Our method of learning encompasses Reggio Inspired Philosophies, Creative Curriculum, NAEYC Best Practice criteria, and the Tennessee Early Learning Standards. Drawing from these resources, our staff of highly-trained, experienced, dedicated educators melds theory and evidence-based research on how children develop into the practical application of curriculum development, organization of the classroom, intentional teaching methods, observations and assessments, positive child and family relationships all the while maintaining a healthy and safe environment. West End United Methodist Church began its preschool ministry in 1948. Then as now, the church acknowledges that superior quality educational experiences are imperative for the health, development, and future success of all children. The church is committed to strengthening family life through strong collaborative relationships with parents and school. No formal Christian instruction is incorporated into the Preschool curriculum. Our goal is to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the world-at-large by fostering a culturally and socio-economically diverse community within the Weekday Preschool. A scholarship fund is maintained to assist families with demonstrated need. Therefore, we offer two styles of programs: the Day School, a full-day, 52 week preschool and the Playschool, a part-day, 50 week preschool.