Salem United Methodist Preschool (SUMP) has served as a direct ministry of Salem United Methodist Church (SUMC) for over 30 years. Our preschool is non-denominational in its teaching, focusing on the foundational truths of the Bible that are shared across Christian faith traditions.
Statement of Faith
At SUMP, children are introduced to basic Biblical principles in a developmentally appropriate and loving environment. Each child is taught:
- God is a loving Father who created all things.
- The Bible tells God’s story of love, guidance, human mistakes, and forgiveness.
- Prayer is a way of talking and listening to our Heavenly Father, God.
Our school serves families from many different church backgrounds and denominations. We believe it is important for parents to understand that the spiritual development of children is an essential part of our program and is central to our philosophy of early childhood education.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to provide a caring, positive Christian environment that supports the emotional, social, physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth of each child. We desire for every child to know and understand that they are loved by God.
We strive to help children develop creativity, independence, and strong problem-solving skills that will serve them throughout life. We are also committed to fostering a healthy and positive self-image in each child as they grow and learn.
Salem United Methodist Preschool works in alignment with Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) to ensure that we are introducing developmentally appropriate concepts and preparing children for future academic success.
We also strongly encourage parent involvement and partnership in all aspects of each child’s educational experience, recognizing that children thrive when families and teachers work together.