Early Education

EARLY EDUCATION CENTER

St. Barnabas UMC Early Education Center began in August 2001 as a Parent’s Day Out program. The program was formed as an extension of the ministry of St. Barnabas United Methodist Church when there became a need in our church community for a program that catered to parents of preschool children. As we have continued to grow, the program has become a place where children can experience a balanced program of early childhood education surrounded by Christian values. It provides a program of preschool classes for children 6 weeks of age through Pre-K. The mission of EEC is to provide a Christ-centered environment in which faith can be integrated with learning to enable students to become spiritually, academically, emotionally, socially and physically prepared to achieve all that God desires for them. The Center is governed by a church-appointed committee and is administered by the Director.

Our wonderful staff is continually trained, providing a safe, loving and godly environment for the children. We proudly offer:

  • Small student/teacher ratios;
  • Competitive prices;
  • Academic-based curriculum with Christian values;
  • Frog Street Curriculum taught in all classes infant through Pre-K

 

HOURS OF OPERATION

We offer an eight-week summer session in June and July in addition to our Fall and Spring sessions. Our hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with extended hours available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m for children in our 18 month old through Pre-K classes.  Children in our Infant classes we offer extended care hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We offer two, three and five-day-a-week programs for children ages 6 weeks to Pre-K. We follow the Arlington ISD calendar for holidays and closings.

 

REGISTRATION

Early registration begins in February each year for families already enrolled in the program. Open enrollment begins in March and continues until all available spaces are filled. A completed enrollment form and a registration/supply fee are required for each child to be enrolled. This is a one-time annual fee and is non-refundable.

CURRICULUM

The curriculum is appropriately designed for the age groups and to the stage of development of each child. Children learn best through hands-on activities. We believe that a child absorbs his/her concept of God through people, things and experiences that are a part of his/her environment. Thus, a love and appreciation for God, Christ and the things God has made are stressed through appropriate activities. The curriculum is designed to help the child develop in all facets of his life ― physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. We have adopted the FROG STREET curriculum in addition to many other resources.  Frog Street is a comprehensive, research-based program that integrates instruction across developmental domains and early learning disciplines.

The cornerstones of the program include:

  • An extensive integration of theme, disciplines, and domains
  • Social and Emotional development includes Dr. Becky Bailey’s Conscious Discipline ®
  • Differentiated instruction
  • Equity of English materials and instruction
  • Joyful approach to learning

Summer 2023

Download Summer Calendar 2023

2023-2024 School Year


Pre-Enrollment Packet

Download the Complete Enrollment Packet

Download the Parent Handbook 2023-2024

Download the 2023-2024 Year at a Glance

For more information, contact Angela Johnson, EEC Director, at (817)476-6174.

EEC PAYMENTS

You can make registration and tuition payments online; simply click the button below.

Make An EEC Payment

EEC ACTIVITIES

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

When children participate in physical activity every day, multiple health benefits accrue. Regular physical activity builds healthy bones and muscles, improves muscular strength and endurance, reduces the risk for developing chronic disease risk factors, improves self-esteem, and reduces stress and anxiety. Beyond these known health effects, physical activity may also have beneficial influences on academic performance. In addition, cognitive skills and motor skills appear to develop through a dynamic interaction. Research has shown that physical movement can affect the brain’s physiology.  Infants will be given opportunities for physical activity, including supervised tummy time. Toddler age children will participate a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous active play each day. Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten children will participate a minimum of 90 minutes of moderate to vigorous active play each day. Opportunities for active play may overlap with outdoor play when weather permits. We will promote all children’s active play every day. Children will have ample opportunity to do moderate to vigorous activities, such as running, climbing, dancing, skipping, and jumping, to the extent of their abilities.

All children will participate each day in:

  • Two occasions of active play outdoors when weather permits. 30 minutes during the Preschool day and 30 minutes in the afternoon during aftercare program.
  • Two or more structured or teacher-led activities or games that promote movement over the course of the day.
  • Continuous opportunities to develop and practice age-appropriate gross motor and movement skills. 

 

MUSIC

Music is a wonderful way for children to express themselves. The music program teaches music awareness through rhythms and patterns, listening skills, instrumentation, finger plays, singing and musical movement. Exploring these different variations of music gives children a sense of accomplishment and makes them feel good about themselves. We have musical performances each year involving all classes which is shared and enjoyed with families.

CHAPEL

Children will attend chapel in the sanctuary. During this time, the children will sing songs, hear a Bible story and talk about God and the Bible. This will be in addition to the Bible stories that are read and the spiritual growth that will take place in their individual classrooms.

For more information, contact Angela Johnson, EEC Director, at (817) 476-6174.