Our son entered UMC at 3 1/2 while navigating several major changes: a move from San Francisco to the suburbs, separation from his friends and former school, and a newly mobile baby sister. We shared this context with both the Program Director and lead teacher before he started. We were assured that the teacher's decades of experience would help him successfully adjust. Within his first few weeks, our son began having frequent toileting accidents despite previously being potty trained. Our pediatrician and child-development professionals identified this as a possible stress response. Rather than working with us on the underlying stress and a consistent toileting strategy, the teacher put him back in diapers. We were concerned that treating an already potty-trained boy this way could feel embarrassing and shameful and would revert the progress we had already made. Their approach also directly contradicted UMC's own handbook, which states: "Your child does not need to be toilet/potty trained to attend UMC. We partner with our parents to ensure consistency in toilet training strategies." Our son also began struggling with emotional regulation and, at times, became physical with other children. We do not minimize that behavior or the school's responsibility to protect every child. We wanted to work collaboratively with the staff on a plan that would support our son while maintaining a safe classroom. Instead, the school repeatedly required us to pick him up immediately, without establishing a clear intervention plan or giving us practical strategies to reinforce at home. When we requested a meeting, we were told it could take weeks because a board member was unavailable after a surgery. Meanwhile, our son continued attending without any meaningful plan in place. I finally stayed after school and waited for the Program Director to force a conversation. We told her we wanted to meet with the lead teacher to talk about what was going on. She told us that the lead teacher was "great with the kids" but did not do well interacting with parents. That was deeply concerning given how essential parent-teacher communication is. On our son's final day, we flagged to the teacher that he was unusually tired from an early wake up and might need additional support. After he hit a child, we were texted that we needed to pick him up. We later received an AI-generated message informing us that he could no longer attend UMC and that his belongings would be shipped to us. We were not offered a final meeting, an opportunity to collect his belongings, or a constructive conversation about what had occurred. Since leaving UMC, we have spoken candidly with several preschool directors, teachers and child psychologists about our son's behavior, including the hitting, kicking, scratching, and hair-pulling. Their responses have all been consistent: these behaviors can occur when a young child's stress response exceeds their still-developing ability to regulate impulses. The behaviors require clear boundaries and active support, not shame, but they do not mean there is something fundamentally wrong with the child (something the Program Director alluded to multiple times in our conversation). Our concern is not that our son struggled or that the school had to address unsafe behavior. We went into the situation knowing it wasn't going to be easy. Our concern is that UMC responded without a collaborative support plan, did not follow its stated approach to parent partnership, and ultimately ended his enrollment without a direct conversation. Families considering UMC should understand that. In our experience, the school's approach to developmental challenges and parent communication fell far short of what should be expected of a preschool. read more

My child started at UMC a few months ago. It is a lovely school. All the teacher are so kind and supportive of each child. It is nice small community. There are several child gates and a main entrance gate for safety. They have great activities and are wonderful about providing updates and send photos of my child playing throughout the week. The also offer different schedules and pricing options depending on your needs which really helped make our decision when looking at several schools. Everyone is very knowledgeable and sweet. We are really enjoying our experience here. read more

Umc preschool burlingame is awesome! My son attended the toddler class last year with teacher Erica, and he is a current student in teacher Vikki's preschool class. The toddler class last year focused on separation anxiety, potty training, adjusting to a classroom setting, and parallel play with friends. This year's preschool class focuses more on self-awareness awareness, confidence building, emotions, team work, and academics (alphabets, calendars, seasons, science ex, eriments) among many other things. The class cooks/bakes every Friday together and has music class every other week. The teachers are enthusiastic and truly care about each student. The small class sizes allow for the teachers and parents to get to know each child. I co-op in the class once a week. We help the classroom run smoothly by helping to tidy the classroom, set up projects, supervise and play with the kids. It's been a pleasure to watch my son grow and see the things that he's learning. I am then able to remphasize and elaborate on what he is actively learning at school. Lastly, Umc preschool is non-denominational and celebrates a wide variety of cultural holidays, from Chinese New Year, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, Holi and Nowruz. I appreciate that every child's culture is welcomed and celebrated! read more

We feel so fortunate to have found this wonderful school. We started with the summer camp which was perfect for our granddaughter. She then attended the two year old program last fall and she is now in the 3 year old mixed group class. We could not have asked for a better environment for her or for us! The staff is so supportive not only for the children but for the families as well. The curriculum is rich, fun and encourages creativity. You can tell by the way the children enjoy their time at this school, that it is delivered with a great deal of love, encouragement and patience. Teacher Vickii is amazing, always warm, welcoming, sensitive and perceptive. If you are looking for a great first preschool experience for your child, you couldn't ask for a better choice. read more

We have been part of the UMC community for the past 3 years and I could not imagine sending my children to any other preschool. My oldest is currently in the pre-K class, and my little one just started in the Toddler class this September. We all LOVE it here! All of our teachers are truly wonderful. They are very loving, patient, and well experienced. We really love the close-knit community as well. Since it is a co-op school, most parents participate in the classroom where we get opportunities to learn from our teachers and connect with each other. I've made many friendships during our time at UMC. I highly recommend this preschool! read more

UMC Preschool - Preschools Near Me - Burlingame, California

All three of my kids went through UMC Preschool. We loved the co-op approach, community, and amazing teachers. It was so nice to be able to spend time easing our kids into the school process. Our kids loved the experience and it has prepared them well for elementary school. I highly recommend UMC! read more

I love this school! I'm so happy that we've had the opportunity to send our children here. We are in our fourth year and the kids run in every day. The teachers are all long term at the school and their passion shows in every lesson. We also love the community and have made life long friends, both kids and adults. I definitely recommend taking a tour if you are interested in seeing the school and meeting the amazing staff. Also, there is a non co-op drop off option for working parents! read more

My son will be graduating this preschool this year and moving on to kindergarten. He's been going here for 2 years and we are so grateful and impressed with the wonderful teachers who have helped him come so far. UMC has prepared him and we are confident he's ready for kindergarten. I highly recommend this school. read more

UMC Preschool - Fall field trip to Lemo's Farm - Preschools Near Me - Burlingame, California

UMC Co-op is a preschool like no other. The community is so warm and welcoming. There is music and language enrichment every week! There are options to co-op or to be a non co-op family. There is also a option to have grandparents work up to 4 times a year- how wonderful! I have nothing but amazing things to say about this school! All three of my children have attended and we are so happy with the teachers, families, and community! read more

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My family loves UMC!!!! I've had two boys attend UMC. This will be our 6th and final year here and we're going to miss it so much. My boys have met great friends and we have also met great friends who we consider to be family now. The teachers have been teaching here for many years and are so loving, caring and patient with all the children. Their love of teaching shows every single day. I as the mom love the Co Op part of it because I get to see my kids learn and grow. I can never get those years back and it's nice to know that I was there with them learning too. UMC has definitely prepared both my boys for elementary school. If you're looking for a great school and community, I highly recommend UMC. read more

UMC is a school that truly embraces the magic of childhood! Our three children have all gone through the entire program and it has been such a special experience for each of them. They have each entered elementary school with complete love and enthusiasm for school and learning. The Co-Directors / teachers, Arlette and Vikki, both have such love for the kiddos and for the work that they do. The parent community is vibrant, fun, diverse and somehow removed from the intensity commonly experienced in the silicon valley area. When I was starting out as a young mom, I felt that the teachers of UMC really helped me to settle in and establish more confidence as a parent. They have such a loving and nonjudgmental attitude that really helps young children and parents to thrive and enjoy these fleeting moments with young children. Creativity is also a huge cornerstone of the school - the art projects are adorable and high quality and you can tell that a lot of thought goes into them. This is very important to me and not prioritized much in many public schools so it feels good to know that this is being instilled in preschool. UMC also really prioritizes all celebrations and cultures... Some of my favorite moments have been: the Mother's Day celebrations, Teddy Bear day - kids present their lovies to the class, Pre-K graduation and Music / Spanish classes. I love getting the opportunity to see how my child is learning to be a caring community member by growing through socialization in the classroom with such loving teachers. Once they get to be in 2nd / 3rd grade, you really start to lose the opportunity to get to see them in action in school so I've been truly grateful to have had these times with them. Highly recommend! read more

We love UMC! As a parent, and former Kindergarten teacher, I highly recommend this school! Two years ago when I was looking for a preschool for our son I knew exactly what I wanted in a school for him and have been so happy to find it at UMC. We love everything about this school. The teachers create a warm environment and work really hard. We didn't know anyone at the school when we started last year and we've made great friends and love our new community. read more

UMC was our very first preschool. My 2 year old loved it. What a difference it made in his confidence level! His teacher was very loving and caring. He felt at ease with her right away, she knows how to approach kids in such a gentle way. All the parents in his particular class are very nice. We chose a co-op school because it is a great opportunity to be involved and participate in your child's class. As they grow up, we will not have this opportunity any longer. I, as a parent, come here with great pleasure to watch my child interact with other kids and play. The atmosphere is loving, caring and fun. Also, a good child to teacher/ parents ratio. Unfortunately, Towards the end of the school year, my child did start feeling bored at school however :( I felt like he wasn't challenged or stimulated enough any more. read more

I can't say enough great things about UMC. It's not just a school, it's a community of caring educators and parents working together for the kids. If you're interested in co-op preschool education, UMC is the place to do it. Not only do the kids love going to school, they learn so much while having fun. My daughter's kindergarten teacher told me she was the only one who came to kindergarten writing her first and last name... something she did at UMC within the first few months of Pre-K! At UMC, your kids will be so prepared for school and so loved at the same time. read more

This is my daughter's 3rd year at UMC and my son's 1st. We love that they have classes with small age range for the toddlers (younger 2s, middle 2s, older 2s, etc) so the children learn and develop together. They also have very small class sizes and adult-to-kids ratio so everyone gets lots of attention. The teachers at UMC are smart and loving, and provide such great support not only for the children but also for parents. The program nurtures creativity and fun but the kids learn so much as well. Two thumbs way up! read more

UMC is a wonderful preschool. My son attended UMC for two years and had Teacher Kim and Teacher Vikki who are both amazing. My daughter now has Teacher Arlette who we also absolutely love. All of the teachers genuinely care about each and every child and are great at communicating with the parents on what is happening in the classroom and with your child. The curriculum has a nice balance of indoor and outdoor play, circle time, art, science, and more. I love that it is a co-op and there is an amazing community of parents to get to know. I didn't know anyone upon joining UMC and have made lifelong friends. The school also provide a series of parent workshops on topics of interest like sleep, nutrition, positive discipline, kinder readiness and more. I highly recommend UMC to anyone who is considering a co-op preschool in the area! read more

UMC Preschool - Preschools Near Me - Burlingame, California

Our family has been at UMC for 2 years and we consider ourselves so lucky to have found this school. The teachers are excellent and truly care about the children. In particular, Teacher Vikki goes above and beyond. She always has a smile on her face and is full of energy and patience. You couldn't ask for a better teacher. The co-op portion has been great for us. It has been nice to be involved but the commitment isn't overwhelming. There are also non Co-op options available. read more

We have loved our time at UMC and sad it's coming to an end as my son is headed to kindergarten next year. This school has been an amazing fit for our family. My daughter attended another co-op nursery school in the area but when we moved we decided we would try UMC because it is walking distance from our home. We instantly felt a part of the community. Our other co-op experience wasn't like this. It was a great school but we never felt the same support and connection. The teachers at UMC are nurturing, knowledgable and so passionate about what they do. The play yards and classrooms are wonderful and foster so much imaginative play and creativity. Lastly, the other families at UMC are amazing and we have met some of our closest friends here. I am beyond thankful that we switched schools and found UMC. It has been a magical experience for not only for my son but for our entire family. read more

I'm the mother of four children and all of my kiddos are/have attended UMC. This isn't just a school, it's a community of support for parenting as well! All of my children have different personalities and likes/dislikes, but they all adore UMC. The environment here is just perfectly structured around play and learning -- friendship and sharing, small and gross motor skills, academics and social behaviors -- all fantastically demonstrated! The community of teachers is unlike anywhere else I've seen -- you can feel the fuzziness and love from all of the teachers, it's a truly magical place! read more

I cannot tell you how much we love the school. My daughter is in the toddler three class and begs me to take her to school that's how much she loves it. Teacher Vicki is absolutely the best she is such a nice lady And so dedicated to her kids. We will definitely miss the school as we are moving away. read more

UMC is a wonderful preschool. We have participated in each program and have enjoyed each class. We have watched our children learn and grow through the nurturing school environment. The teachers are amazing and are very attentive to the children. I love the ability as a parent to participate in my child's early education. I love to experience a school day with them as I realize as they get older this is a unique opportunity. I love the teachers and feel so fortunate to be a part of this program. I highly recommend UMC Nursery School. read more

I've been at UMC for the past 5 years with my 3 boys. I love the community, the teachers and the families. It really feels like what a preschool should be--loving, nurturing and most importantly FUN! My kids love going and are always sad to leave. They have a great range of classes and times to meet your schedule. By co-oping, you really feel like your making a difference for your child and for yourself as a parent. read more

UMC was one of our best finds since we moved from the East Coast! We found the most knowledgable, dedicated and loving teachers along with caring and generous families. The UMC community became and continues to be our family away from home. read more

This is my second year at UMC and have two children enrolled. I wish I had known about this school when my oldest child went through preschool. This has been a fantastic experience for us. The teachers are excellent, are excited about their craft, and the materials and curriculum are ingenius and ever-changing. Private schools in the area are impressed with the social and academic skills and self-possession those children prepared by UMC possess. It is a wonderful joy-filled environment, full of child-chosen play, but the kids are learning, learning all the time. As a co-op: warm and human parents and understanding teachers. I truly feel we stumbled upon a treasure in UMC. read more

Our family absolutely love being a part of UMC. Since we moved here from Australia last year, we've found a wonderful preschool for my little boy who is now in Pre-K, an amazing group of friends through working as part of a co-op and a strong connection to the local community. UMC has such a fun atmosphere that the kids adore and each program is dedicated to the learning needs of that particular age with a brilliant caring teaching staff. Can't say enough good things. Very glad I decided to give this co-op nursery school a look! read more

My child attended the 3 year old class. His teacher is not well trained in child development and doesn't understand how to treat children of color and children of different ethnic backgrounds. Disappointed. read more