1. What is U.M.A.P.?

2. The United Methodist Association of Preschools

3. Building Excellence…
Hand in Hand….

4. Where we started…
The United Methodist Association of Preschools was founded in 1983 to connect, support and accredit preschools in United Methodist churches in the Florida Annual Conference.

5. Who we are now…
UMAP is now a national Gold Seal accrediting organization, able to accredit high quality Christian programs.
UMAP Gold Seal

6. UMAP Accreditation can help you and your school affirm it’s quality standards and become eligible for the Florida Voluntary Pre-K program.

7. More then 3 million children are cared for in church preschools each year!

8. UMAP can help you connect with other programs like yours and other professionals like you, for professional training, spiritual growth, and fellowship.

9. Sharing information, problems, and solutions means stronger programs for everyone – and the very highest quality of care for ALL of God’s children!

10. You can become a UMAP individual member for $25. 00 per year
You can become a UMAP individual member for $25.00 per year. This meets the requirement for CDAs that you must be a member of a national early childhood organization!

11. What are UMAP’s Standards like?
The Accreditation Standards that UMAP has adopted are not that different from those required by NAEYC…..
BUT…………

12. We include the Christian component in our standards, helping you to define your place in the ministry to the children you serve.

13. You DO NOT need to be at a United Methodist Church to be accredited by UMAP.
You DO need to be a Christian preschool program ministering to children infants through age five.
You DO need to hold a state
license for your program.

14. What do UMAP’s Standards include?
Our standards evaluate the following areas:
Staff Qualifications
Staff need to be practicing Christians
Meet educational qualifications, including college degree or CDA for lead teachers.
Be loving caregivers, sharing Jesus’ love with the children in their care

15. A Statement of school philosophy
An examination of the relationship between the church and the preschool, looking at issues such as sharing space, fitting in to the church’s mission statement, communication between pastor & school and involvement with church activities.

16. Appropriate health and safety requirements, including liability and school accident insurance.
Documented parent-teacher conferencing

17. Low ratios Curriculum Standards for children include:
4-5 year olds 1 to 10
3 year olds to 8
2 year olds to 6
Toddlers to 5
Infants to 4

18. Developmentally appropriate curriculum for all ages, including:
Balance between active & quiet activities
Age appropriate Christian education, worship and celebration

19. Reading readiness activities in the following areas:
Visual development
Visual motor activities
Tactile development
Linguistic development

20. Math Readiness At the appropriate age:
Learned with hands-on manipulatives
Counting – rote and one-on-one
Sorting, classifying
Ordering positioning
Sets & groups
Measuring
Recognizing quantity & size
Indentifying numerals

21. Physical Development Gross Motor activities Fine Motor activities
Body awareness
Five Senses

22. Music Variety of experiences in music Rhythmic activities
Opportunities for singing
Musical games
Listening & responding

23. Science & Discovery Living things The earth The universe
Experiences with magnets,
magnification, energy
Seasons, weather
God’s amazing creation

24. Art Opportunities to use a variety of materials
Easels and a variety of paints
Scissors, paper, crayons, chalk, paste, glue
Clay, playdough
“Found” objects
Children’s art displayed at their height
Children experience, enjoy, express and their own creativity
Coloring sheets and “dittos” are NOT appropriate
Emphasize process, not product!!

25. Health Nutrition & Safety
Food & nutrition
Safety education
Exercise, rest & cleanliness
Positive self esteem
Concepts about human relationships

26. Social Development
Opportunities to establish routine of physical habits, work habits, discipline, guidance, etc. individually and in a group.
Opportunities to develop social values, sharing, group acceptance, independence, dependability, following through, cooperation, etc.
Opportunities and encouragement to develop interactive communication skills with peers and adults

27. Why choose UMAP National Gold Seal Accreditation?
UMAP Gold Seal demonstrates commitment to excellence
Gold Seal is a marketing tool to use with parents
Accreditation procedure raises staff morale and commitment
UMAP has a faith based component built into each age level curriculum
UMAP has been accrediting centers for over 20 years!

28. What other benefits are there?
Your school will be listed with the State as a Gold Seal Accredited program.
If you accept subsidized children, Gold Seal can qualify you for higher rates.
UMAP Newsletters, discount rates at our annual Conference, voting rights and support.
You will be eligible for VPK

29. How do I become accredited by UMAP?
Become a general member of UMAP by sending application and $50.00 annual dues
Send for your copy of the accreditation packet, including UMAP Standards. The cost for the packet is $
Implement the Standards at your center. Complete all forms, including self-studies for director and staff, and parent questionnaires.

30. A validator will contact you to set up a date to visit your center.
Send validation fee (based on number of enrolled students) and request a validation visit.
Validation fees (renewable every three years) are:
1 – 60 children $300.00
61 – 120 children $500.00
121 and more children $600.00
A validator will contact you to set up a date to visit your center.
The validator will meet with the director, visit classrooms, meet with the pastor, if possible, and validate your paperwork.

31. The validator will send your application and other paperwork to the Accreditation Committee.
The committee and the UMAP Board will meet four times per year and confirm National UMAP Gold Seal certification.
Celebrate your UMAP National Gold Seal Accreditation!!