Enrollment is Open for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026

Register Online

The First United Methodist Church of Murphy celebrates its One-Year Anniversary in March 2025!  We have limited slots open for the 2025-2026 school year, so please apply now if you are interested. 

We are a Montessori-based preschool for children ages 3 to 5!  Enrollment is awarded on a first come, first served basis until all spots are filled.  Financial Aid is available with a separate application.  Links to registration and all forms can be found below.  Classes follow the Cherokee County Schools’ Calendar.  Thank you for your interest in our learning community!

OUR PROGRAM

The Children’s Center is a ministry of the First United Methodist church that provides high-quality, affordable, Montessori-based preschool for children ages 3-5. We offer a peaceful, child-centered learning environment in five key areas of traditional Montessori study: mathematics, language, practical life, sensorial, and cultural studies. Children progress through the curriculum at their own pace based on their development and interests with teachers acting as guides to nurture them toward mastery of skills and independence. Children have weekly chapel time with FUMC’s pastor to learn principles of Christian faith and spiritual formation. Children of any or no faith tradition are welcome in our preschool community. We also include exposure to art, music, dance, drama, and social and emotional skill building.  The FUMC Children’s center is a safe and loving environment where childhood is celebrated, learning is joyful, and children are nurtured into confidence and independence. 

CLASS SCHEDULE

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, our preschool hours will be 8 am to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  We are located in the spacious, newly renovated lower level of the FUMC sanctuary building at 73 Valley River Avenue in downtown Murphy, NC.  Our time together includes the traditional Montessori-based work cycle, independent and collaborative learning in Montessori-based work, whole group instruction through music, dance, and drama, a snack time, and outdoor play on our new playground.  Students must be fully potty-trained to attend.  

FEES AND TUITION

The cost per child is $290/month plus an annual non-refundable supplies fee of $125.  The supplies fee is due with your acceptance to hold your slot for the fall or at the time of enrollment if enrolling mid-year.  Tuition is monthly and due on the first of each month.  An application fee of $25 is due with your application and is non-refundable. FUMC has created a Designated Fund to supply partial or full scholarships as needed.  Applications can be found below and will be reviewed by the FUMC Children’s Center Scholarship Committee for consideration.   

OUR STAFF

Our staff are certified teachers with decades of experience and are deeply committed to providing exceptional classroom instruction. 

Bridget Rue Esterhuizen, Director and Lead Teacher, is a certified, experienced educator with 20 years in Education.  She has a BA in Elementary Education from St. Norbert College (Wisconsin) and an MFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Idaho.  Bridget has taught every grade level from preschool to college. Before moving to Murphy, NC, two years ago, Bridget was the Director of the Theatre Program at Davis and Elkins College, WV, and Assistant Professor of Theater.

Currently a mother of 2 small children, ages 6 and 4, she has focused on full-time parenthood, which prompted her interest in being on the team to form this preschool. Bridget is also a professional actor, musician, and vocalist.  Bridget is excited to serve the FUMC Children’s Center’s goal of providing a part-time Montessori-based preschool option for families in our community!

 

JoannMoore, Assistant Teacher,  is a retired educator with more than 30 years in the classroom, Joann brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to FUMC’s Children’s Center. Joann has degrees in Early Childhood Education from Tift University and Mercer University Atlanta where she earned her Masters. She taught elementary school for thirty-one years in the third, fourth, and fifth grades. After retirement, Joann continued teaching as a long term substitute in kindergarten and first grade classrooms. She also has experience as a professional nanny for children from one to five years old. Joann is excited to be back in the classroom and looks forward to teaching our preschoolers!

 

LINKS AND RESOURCES

For more information, please contact Bridget Esterhuizen, Preschool Director, for more information at preschool@murphyfirstumc.org.

APPLICATION FORM:  To complete an application form and pay the $25 fee, click here.

ROLLING ENROLLMENT:  If you are enrolling after the start date of the school year, please send an email to our preschool director (above) to let her know you’ve applied.  Special policies related to rolling enrollment are discussed in the parent handbook (see link below).

FINANCIAL AID:  For information on scholarships and financial aid applications, please click on this link, then download and fill out the form and return it to the FUMC Church Office.  Financial Aid is not available for rolling enrollment; financial aid deadlines are before the start of the school year.  However, you may apply for the following year when it opens again.

PARENT HANDBOOK:  For more information about our curriculum and a copy of the Parent Handbook: FUMC Children’s Center Parent Handbook

OTHER RESOURCES: Below is a link for the Cherokee County school calendar (which is what we follow for all school holidays, starts, ends, and closures) and a wonderful document by Simone Davies, a Montessori Educator, that can be a resource for you as a guide at home. Thank you for your interest in being part of our learning community!

I’D LIKE TO HELP OR DONATE:  Thanks!  You may email the preschool director if you’d like to help our school.  To donate, please go to the church donations page and click on the preschool donations button.

Cherokee County School Calendar, 2024-2025 

Cherokee County School Calendar, 2025-2026

Simone Davies’ pdf,  “Instead of This, Say That”

FAQ

What do you mean by “potty trained”?  My child still has some accidents and needs help wiping!  We recognize that there will be a continuum of potty independence for the children who are enrolled. We will give children some assistance with wiping and navigating the bathroom setup until they are independent.  But, at the minimum, we require that each child: 1) be wearing cloth undies, 2) be able to signal to us (sign language or verbally) when they need to use the bathroom in enough advance to get to the bathroom, 3) be able to delay going to the bathroom while walking to it, if someone else is using it, or if we are on the playground 4) be able to ask for help if they need it, 5) be able to wash their hands afterward.  We expect there may be occasional accidents for younger children as they adjust to routines and separation from their caregivers and especially in the first few weeks. If your child fits this description, then they are probably ready to be enrolled!  

My child isn’t potty trained yet. Can I still apply? Yes, you may apply to reserve a spot on our waitlist.

What is the student-teacher ratio?  We follow the state-mandated guidelines of a ratio of 1 teacher for every 9 children and a classroom limit of 18 total children.  We have two teachers with the children at all times.

Will there be a snack? Outside time?  Yes and yes.  All questions about the daily routine are also answered in our handbook. (see the link above)

Do you require the children to be vaccinated?  At this time, we do not.  However we do encourage you to vaccinate your child and keep their vaccinations up to date including COVID boosters.  

What are the next steps after I apply? After you apply and pay the application fee, please email the director to set up a conversation or interview.  The director will then email you with next steps.

Is there a waitlist for rolling enrollment? Yes.  Just apply using the application link above.  Any child too young to enroll will be kept on a waitlist associated with their application in the order it was received. 

Hear from our parents

“The staff have been very helpful and creative in supporting me and my kids. My little ones have created special bonds with their classmates and teachers. I am so grateful to have this resource for our community!” -Autumn

The variety of activities offered at the school is exceptional. From engaging art projects that spark creativity to ample outdoor playtime that encourages physical development and social interaction, each day is filled with opportunities for growth and fun. -Meghan

The schedule is what drew us to apply to FUMC but the kindness of the teachers, open and easy communication, small class sizes, and Montessori program is what has us coming back for another year! Our daughter loves going to this school, she’s really blossomed in so many aspects since starting. -Kaitlin