St. Andrew UMC Children’s Weekday Program (CWP) helps children grow in Christ by providing age appropriate opportunities through worship, learning, loving, serving and inviting. These opportunities are cognitively stimulating and spiritually nurturing in a safe environment. We strive to make disciples of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the good news of God’s grace and thus seeking the fulfillment of God’s reign and realm in the world.

CWP is a non-profit, developmentally appropriate program for children whose age by September 1 of each year is twelve months to five years old. The Pre-K 5 program provides an extra year of growth and development for play-based experiences. CWP serves as a part of the children’s ministry of St. Andrew and additionally as a community outreach program. Presently, the Children’s Weekday Program has an enrollment of 237 children in 28 classes with a staff of 27.

Children’s Weekday Program

5801 W. Plano Parkway   Plano, Texas 75093

972-380-5323   
Fax: 214-291-8089


Director: 
Pride Mersbach   
Email: pmersbach@standrewumc.org


School Hours: 
Monday-Thursday 9:05 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
   Friday 9:05 a.m.-Noon

Directions: 
St. Andrew UMC is located between the Dallas North Tollway and Preston Road in Plano. The Children’s Weekday Program is located in the southeast corner (Plano Parkway and Mira Vista Boulevard intersection) of the church, by the playgrounds.

History

The conception of the Children’s Weekday Program began with a vision of the St. Andrew church staff and members. The vision established for the CWP was for the program to be a ministry, not only to church members but also for the community; to work with the church and establish the church name within the community; and to provide a first time church experience for some children.

The Children’s Weekday Program began in September of 1991 with an enrollment of 73 children in seven classes and a staff of seven.

Philosophy and Mission

We believe children deserve an early learning experience that is academically individualized and presented in a healthy environment that welcomes exploration, imagination and spiritual growth. We respect each child's need for a loving and secure environment that offers stimulation, acceptance and warmth.

The purpose of St. Andrew UMC Children’s Weekday Program is to provide learning opportunities for children, which are developmentally appropriate, intellectually stimulating, and spiritually nurturing in a safe, loving environment. Activities are planned and directed by caring adults who are chosen for their skills with children and commitment to Christian education.

Faith-Based Goal

Delightfully Different..."I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."— Psalm 139:14
 
We strive to teach our children about God's love and God's work through exploration and experiences. Faith based activities such as songs and age appropriate devotions are incorporated into our daily routines. Our students learn about the world from a Biblical perspective: God made the trees, God made the bees and God made me.

We teach the students that talking with God is prayer. Prayer is modeled throughout the day, focusing on Christ's presence in our classroom. Our goal is to provide learning opportunities through daily prayer, song and Christ-like examples. Modeled experiences will reinforce that Christ is the core of all connections.

CWP Advisory Board

CWP is governed by an Advisory Board whose members are nominated by the St. Andrew UMC Director of Children’s Ministry, the CWP Chairperson, the CWP Chair Elect, and a CWP Board Representative (elected by the CWP Advisory Board). These nominations are submitted to the St. Andrew Nominating Committee who forward them on to the Charge Conference for action.

The CWP Advisory Board oversees the use of all funds. In order to ensure smooth operation of CWP, the Board and Director will establish an operating budget each fall, which is presented to the Finance Committee of St. Andrew UMC for final approval.

The CWP Advisory Board invites the families enrolled to give ideas and suggestions about the programs policies, procedures, and planning to meet the needs of all the children enrolled. Families may do this by placing a written comment in the “Board Suggestion Box.” The CWP Advisory Board Chair will reply to all comments after Board resolution. If a parent chooses not to sign the written comment, the Board will post their response in the CWP Newsletter.

Licensed by the State of Texas

CWP is a licensed facility by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS). The license was issued on January 24, 1992 and has been amended. CWP is a licensed Daytime Care Center since childcare is provided for more than two hours a day and more than two days a week. Each licensed center is assigned a Licensing Representative who makes one or more unannounced visits each year.