Who We Are
The Learning Tree Preschool is a part-time, Christian preschool located in Georgetown, Texas at First United Methodist Church. We believe all children learn best through play. Our classrooms are filled with experiences in literacy, math, science, imagination, engineering, and social and emotional development.
Our Philosophy
Staff and parents work together to create a loving, accepting, and nurturing space for families, where children can explore, create, and grow with confidence. At The Learning Tree, we believe that children learn best through active engagement with their environment. In cooperation with parents, we aim to foster a positive self-concept in each child, encourage curiosity, and inspire a love of learning.
Since 1975, First United Methodist Church has offered this program with the vision that God is a God of love, allowing children to experience this love through positive relationships and supportive learning experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Enrollment is easy! You can register online through the Brightwheel app, or if you prefer, you can get paper forms from our office. Be sure to have your child’s immunization records and birth certificate handy when enrolling.
Registration is held in January for current students for the following year. Priority is given to children who are presently enrolled, members of First United Methodist Church, or siblings of enrolled children. A waiting list will be maintained after classes have been filled, including a list of children currently attending classes who would like to move to a different schedule.
We’re open from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday through Thursday. You can drop off your little one between 8:45 and 9:00 AM, and pick-up happens from 2:20 to 2:30 PM. We follow a school calendar that runs from late August to mid-May.
Yes, we recommend scheduling a tour! It gives us a chance to focus on you and your child, answer any questions you might have, and show you all the wonderful things our school has to offer.
We take safety seriously! All faculty and staff are background-checked have completed Ministry Safe Training. We also have monthly fire drills, and tornado and lockout/intruder drills happen 4X a year meant to acquaint your child with emergency procedures.
Yes, we do! You can choose between 2, 3, or 4-day programs depending on your needs, but Pre-k children must attend a minimum of three days. Parents can register for individual programs at the time of registration.
We follow a traditional school calendar, so you can expect closures for major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break. You’ll get a full calendar at the start of the year so you can plan ahead.
We maintain ratios in line with Texas childcare standards, ensuring each child receives the attention and care they need to thrive in a nurturing environment
Yes! Every staff member is CPR and First Aid certified, and all undergo comprehensive background checks. We want you to feel confident that your child is in capable, caring hands.
We ask parents to pack a nutritious and balanced lunch for their child. Not only do children benefit physically, but they can also learn principles of good nutrition. If your child has a special diet or allergy to food, please note this on registration forms.
Unfortunately, we don’t provide transportation services or school pick-ups. Our focus is on early childhood education and care within the center.
es, we make sure kids get plenty of outdoor playtime! Each class enjoys 45 minutes of outdoor fun daily, weather permitting. When it’s too hot or cold, we have indoor large motor activities to keep them moving.
Yes! If you have more than one child enrolled, we offer a $25 discount for each additional child. Please contact our office if you have any questions or would like to inquire about enrollment.
Yes, tuition assistance is available for families who need it. Inquiries should be made through the Director, and you will be given an application. Applicant names can be kept confidential and will be submitted to the school board for approval. Scholarships are awarded on a yearly basis; therefore, applicants will need to reapply at time of pre-registration every year.
Please plan to pick up your child on time. If you know that you will be late, please call the school office as soon as possible. Children who are picked up late will be taken to the office and charged $15 for the first late pick up and $5 per minute per child for every late pick up after that. If a child is left after 3:00 pm and no parent or emergency contacts can be reached, then emergency arrangements will have to be made as our school will be closed. The Learning Tree Administrative Staff will first reach out to emergency contacts. If the emergency contacts are unable to retrieve your child from school, we will contact the local police department. If tardiness persists or any occurrence becomes extreme, your child may be disenrolled from school.
Once our classes are full, we maintain a waitlist. The length of our wait list typically is very long and varies by age; please call center directly. Priority is given to current students, siblings, and members of our affiliated church. If a spot opens up, families are contacted in the order they’re on the list
Aged-Based Curriculum
The Learning Tree’s curriculum is based on the belief that children learn through play. Developed by experienced teachers, it focuses on hands-on, play-based learning with a balance of structure, free choice, and active/quiet times. Activities promote sensory, motor, perceptual, and language skills, blending child-centered and teacher-directed approaches. Emphasizing the process over the product, it fosters accomplishment and pride, with materials and activities suited to each child’s developmental stage.
Infants
Our infants' curriculum is all about early growth and discovery! Each month brings new focus areas, like building strong bonds, exploring movement with fun activities, and sparking early literacy skills. It's a warm, engaging start to learning meant to foster a spirit for exploration and curiosity for years to come.
Two's
Split into two groups, our "Twos" curriculum is packed with fun ways for kids to explore their feelings, learn to collaborate with others, and build physical skills like jumping and cutting. We dive into early literacy and math basics, like shapes and grouping, all through exciting monthly themes and activities that keep learning fun and engaging!
Three's
Our "Threes" curriculum makes learning fun with monthly focuses on letters, writing, rhymes, and all kinds of literacy fun! Kids dive into math with shapes, numbers, and counting, while exploring big ideas like family, community helpers, and caring for our world. Every month is packed with engaging, joyful learning adventures!
Pre-Kinder
Our Pre-K curriculum brings learning to life with monthly focuses on early literacy like phonics and rhyming as well as math skills like counting, measuring, and patterns. Kids delve deeper into themes of family, community helpers, and caring for our world—all while creating a joyful, hands-on learning experience as they transition into school.
Meet the Director:
Michele Shipley
Michele Shipley serves as the Director of The Learning Tree Preschool. Originally from Long Island, New York, she relocated to the Georgetown area in 2021 with her husband and four children. Michele served as Children’s Ministry Director in her former church in New York and joyfully led the Sunday School team, VBS and youth programs. She has also taught preschool for many years before advancing to administration of a well-respected, play-based Methodist preschool in Valley Stream, New York. Teaching as Jesus taught, using object lessons, stories and love, are at the core of her teaching philosophy. Michele is very excited to lead The Learning Tree preschool into the future!
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Enrollment
We are open Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM-2:30 PM, September – May. We serve children ages 6 months (by September 1) through Pre-Kinder.
Registration is held in January for current students for the following year. Priority is given to children who are presently enrolled, members of First United Methodist Church, or siblings of enrolled children. A waiting list will be maintained after classes have been filled, including a list of children currently attending classes who would like to move to a different schedule.
We would love to visit with you to answer any questions about enrollment. Please contact Michele Shipley, learningtree@fumcgt.org, with any questions.
Tuition Payments
Have questions about tuition payment options? We'd love to hear them!
Contact The Learning Tree office for tuition payment options.
512-863-6323 or email learningtree@fumcgt.org
Waitlist
If you'd like to sign up for our 2024-2025 Waitlist, click here.
We look forward to you joining our Learning Tree Family.
Notice of Non-Discriminatory Policy
The Learning Tree Preschool admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, and other school-administered programs.
Meet Our Team
At The Learning Tree, our team is united by a deep passion for childcare and early development. Each staff member brings a unique blend of expertise and heartfelt commitment to nurturing young hearts and minds in a loving, faith-centered environment. We believe in fostering not just academic growth, but also spiritual and social development, guiding each child on their individual journey. Together, we create a safe and engaging atmosphere where every child can thrive, explore, and grow in their faith and learning.
