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Welcome to KUM Children's Center

Exciting News for 2024!

We are excited to announce that beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, KUM Preschool and Children’s Day Out will combine to create Kirkwood United Methodist Children’s Center. KUMCC will offer quality child care for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years (Children’s Day Out), as well as preschool programming (KUM Preschool) for children ages 2.5 through 6 years. Children may continue to attend either program individually or in tandem to accommodate each family’s needs.

This new umbrella organization will allow these two incredible programs to continue to operate and thrive in their distinct ways, while also having the collaboration of shared policies, leadership, and vision to make each program stronger, allowing them to better meet the evolving needs of our kids, families, and community.
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Everyone is welcome under the big red umbrella!

The KUM Difference

Our Programs

The classroom curriculum is designed to include a large block of time for child-directed play among the various centers in the room. During this time, teachers prepare the classroom with engaging materials and learning opportunities so that children may explore and act on their environment, observe and ask questions, and interact with others. Activities are also provided to practice emerging, age-appropriate skills during teacher directed, small group activities. Further options are also offered throughout the week to enrich the child’s school experience.

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VIP Volunteers

The Co-Op program will be reinstated for the 2022-2023 school year in a new format called VIP VOLUNTEERS. Parents and caregivers who have chosen to participate in our VIP VOLUNTEER program may sign up for a date once a semester on the class calendar. A VIP Volunteer can be a parent, grandparent, caregiver or any other adult family member.

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Our Programs

KUMCC has two incredible programs which work together to meet the evolving needs of our students, families and community. Children's Day Out will offer quality child care for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years while the Preschool will offer preschool programming (KUM Preschool) for children ages 2.5 through 6 years. Children may continue to attend either program individually or in tandem to accommodate each family’s needs. Contact the school today to find out how KUMCC can work with you to meet your family's needs.


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The Kindness Code

The Kindness Code is an approach to supporting children’s behavior with empathy, direct teaching, guidance/re-direction, and positive language. The kindness Code does not use threats, anger, punishing, or shaming to ensure cooperation. By using and modeling kindness through The Kindness Code, we increase the likelihood that our students will have positive social/emotional growth and increased compliance.

Our Philosophy

Parent Involvement

Parents/Caregivers are known as their children’s first teachers. KUMCC values the importance of connecting with parents and creating strong, trusting relationships to ensure that children are successful in school and in life. Our caring staff makes daily connections with families as they greet them at the door during drop off and pick up. Parent/School communications are made via email, Procare messaging, newsletters, and phone calls to keep families up-to-date about news and school information. KUMCC also offers family social opportunities like our School Picnic at Kirkwood Park, and our New Summer Celebration in May. The Preschool Co-Op program was reinstated in 2022 in a new format called VIP VOLUNTEERS. A VIP Volunteer can be a parent, grandparent, or a Very Important Person in the child's life. The purpose of volunteering is to assist all children, the teachers, and have fun!

The KUM Difference- Then and Now

Kirkwood United Methodist Preschool opened in April, 1962 on a trial basis with 30 children enrolled and a staff of two teachers. The trial was a success and in the fall of 1962, KUM Preschool opened with an enrollment of 45 children and a staff of three teachers.

KUM Preschool was originally designed as a Co-Op Preschool. A Co-Op preschool, or cooperative preschool, is part of a non-profit organization where parents and teachers are active participants in their children's education. Parents work with the classroom teachers and participate in the classroom on a rotating basis. This collaborative approach promotes a community spirit and encourages positive bonds between families and staff. Parents' participation can also help keep the cost of running the school down, which can be beneficial for many families.

Over the years, KUM Preschool has offered class options that focus on a developmentally appropriate curriculum and child-directed play for children ages two and a half to six years old. There are currently over 25 staff members and 150 children. This loving and skilled staff are dedicated to helping children achieve personal, social and academic success while developing a love of learning in the process.

Kirkwood United Methodist Children’s Day Out began in the early 1970’s as a ministry of KUMC. Its purpose is to serve the Church and community by providing a loving and caring Christian atmosphere for children ages 6 weeks through Pre-kindergarten while they are away from home. They met one day a week in two classrooms (ages 6 weeks through 2 years old and 3 years old through five years old) and could take twenty-six children at any given time. In the mid-1980’s the program expanded to five days a week and after the Make Room campaign was able to expand to four classrooms taking up to forty children at any given time. CDO takes children not just from the Kirkwood community, but from all areas of St. Louis City and County. The program is unique in that they not only enroll children, but allow reservations and same day drop-ins.

As we reflect on our rich history, we are incredibly proud of the legacy we have built at Kirkwood United Methodist Preschool and Children's Day Out. From our humble beginnings to our current thriving programs, our commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering a sense of community has remained steadfast. We are excited about the changes happening now and look forward to continuing to grow and serve our families with the same dedication and love that has defined us for decades.

Kirkwood United Methodist Preschool opened in April, 1962 on a trial basis with 30 children enrolled and a staff of two teachers. The trial was a success and in the fall of 1962, KUM Preschool opened with an enrollment of 45 children and a staff of three teachers.

KUM Preschool was originally designed as a Co-Op Preschool. A Co-Op preschool, or cooperative preschool, is part of a non-profit organization where parents and teachers are active participants in their children's education. Parents work with the classroom teachers and participate in the classroom on a rotating basis. This collaborative approach promotes a community spirit and encourages positive bonds between families and staff. Parents' participation can also help keep the cost of running the school down, which can be beneficial for many families.

Over the years, KUM Preschool has offered class options that focus on a developmentally appropriate curriculum and child-directed play for children ages two and a half to six years old. There are currently over 25 staff members and 150 children. This loving and skilled staff are dedicated to helping children achieve personal, social and academic success while developing a love of learning in the process.

Kirkwood United Methodist Children’s Day Out began in the early 1970’s as a ministry of KUMC. Its purpose is to serve the Church and community by providing a loving and caring Christian atmosphere for children ages 6 weeks through Pre-kindergarten while they are away from home. They met one day a week in two classrooms (ages 6 weeks through 2 years old and 3 years old through five years old) and could take twenty-six children at any given time. In the mid-1980’s the program expanded to five days a week and after the Make Room campaign was able to expand to four classrooms taking up to forty children at any given time. CDO takes children not just from the Kirkwood community, but from all areas of St. Louis City and County. The program is unique in that they not only enroll children, but allow reservations and same day drop-ins.

As we reflect on our rich history, we are incredibly proud of the legacy we have built at Kirkwood United Methodist Preschool and Children's Day Out. From our humble beginnings to our current thriving programs, our commitment to nurturing young minds and fostering a sense of community has remained steadfast. We are excited about the changes happening now and look forward to continuing to grow and serve our families with the same dedication and love that has defined us for decades.

Our Philosophy

KUMCC strives to provide quality programming led by a trusted and caring staff where families and children can build relationships and feel at home as part of a warm, supportive community. Meaningful, age-appropriate activities and developmentally appropriate curriculum are prepared in an enriched environment so that children may achieve personal, social, and cognitive growth while developing a love of learning in the process.

Learn More

Visit Us

Visiting the school is the best way to see if it is a good fit for your child and your family. While we welcome visitors at any time, to ensure that someone is available to conduct a tour, we ask that you call in advance to schedule a time that is convenient for you and the school.

Learn More

All Are Welcome!

Kirkwood United Methodist Children’s Center welcomes families of any race, color, nationality and ethnic origin and ensures all rights, privileges, programs, and activities are made available to all students at the school. KUMCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational, admissions, or scholarship policies. Please contact the school office at 314-966-5223. We are happy to welcome you to the KUMCC family!

Our Philosophy

KUMCC strives to provide quality programming led by a trusted and caring staff where families and children can build relationships and feel at home as part of a warm, supportive community. Meaningful, age-appropriate activities and developmentally appropriate curriculum are prepared in an enriched environment so that children may achieve personal, social, and cognitive growth while developing a love of learning in the process.

Learn More

Visit Us

Visiting the school is the best way to see if it is a good fit for your child and your family. While we welcome visitors at any time, to ensure that someone is available to conduct a tour, we ask that you call in advance to schedule a time that is convenient for you and the school.

Learn More

All Are Welcome!

Kirkwood United Methodist Children’s Center welcomes families of any race, color, nationality and ethnic origin and ensures all rights, privileges, programs, and activities are made available to all students at the school. KUMCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational, admissions, or scholarship policies. Please contact the school office at 314-966-5223. We are happy to welcome you to the KUMCC family!

Enrollment for the 2024/25 School Year is Open!

Kirkwood United Methodist Children’s Center welcomes families of any race, color, nationality and ethnic origin and ensures all rights, privileges, programs, and activities are made available to all students at the school. KUMCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational, admissions, or scholarship policies.


Please contact the school office at 314-966-5223.
We are happy to welcome you to the KUMCC family!

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