Our Mission

“We will not hide them from their children, we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.”

Psalm 78

Jesus loves the little children of the world... IMAGINE if they all knew it! It is our desire that every child would know that they are loved by God, see a living demonstration of what that love looks like, and enter into a personal relationship with Him. Our learning community endeavors to offer a place where this can be achieved.

Our Premise

 

  • The primary purpose of the University of the Nations Preschool is to support the healthy growth and development of each child in the context of their family, so that they, like Jesus as seen in Luke 2:52, will increase in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and men.

  • All staff play a part of the learning community and need to know that this is a ministry and not a job. We are called, not hired. Teachers are a living curriculum, demonstrating and modeling both learning and leading others. God warns that not everyone should teach and that caution should be used so that little ones do not stumble in their faith (see Matthew 18:6). All staff members need to conduct themselves with a solid commitment to Biblical Christian values and practice that lifestyle both inside and outside of the classroom.

  • God views each child as a unique gift to be treasured (Psalm 127:3), not because of what they can do, but because of who they are. Therefore, we value each child and train them in ways that can lead to making wise choices, practicing what is good, and enjoying the hard work of discovering truth.

  • All senses are considered when creating the environment with both direct and indirect aims for learning and teaching (Deuteronomy 6:6-8). Each new learner and their unique cultural context is celebrated. A multi-sensorial approach provides a basic foundation and scaffolding that learning can be built upon. Order, concentration, coordination and independence are essential elements imparted throughout the curriculum.

 

How does University of the Nations Preschool work?

Plan

Our program emphasizes these four key ideas: young children can know God as Creator, young children can know God as Father, young children can know Jesus as God with us, and young children can know the Scriptures. Those ideas have been organized into a curriculum that we call a Biblical Foundation in Early Childhood Education.

Since we believe that learning begins with the heart, children are taught how to seek God, enter into His presence as a learner, hear God and obey Him. Sensorial experiences are provided for children to engage with God’s World, God’s Word, God’s Ways, and God’s Works. As a result, learning impacts their head as knowledge is gained and their hands as skills are practiced.

The program is designed to produce productive members of the Kingdom of God who are able to:

  • Flourish wherever God calls them to be planted

  • Reconcile and live in right relationship with God, others, and the created world

  • Pursue learning with a joyful wonder

  • Be equipped for their call, using their gifts in an age appropriate manner

  • Bring justice, redemption and transformation to the spheres of society

Together we Seek God, Hear God, and Obey God.

Serving Kona

We are a Ministry of Youth With A Mission

The University of the Nations Preschool was established to serve not only the University of the Nations campus staff and student families but also the families in the Kailua-Kona community. At the time of first being licensed by the Department of Human Services in the State of Hawaii to operate a childcare center there were 96 spaces to be filled. This enrollment outnumbered the needs of the campus and, over 30 years later, continues to be true.

The University of the Nations Preschool works in conjunction with the School of Early Childhood Education (SECE) to train teachers. The preschool allows student teachers to do observations, child case studies, and teaching practicums as a part of the ministry of University of the Nations.

This preschool also has a vision to establish additional schools in Kailua-Kona, throughout the state of Hawaii, and in the nations of the world. We encourage staff to travel as a part of their mission, teach multi-culturally, and support those who give their time and skills to teach young children the ways of God.

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