About Us

Register for 2025-2026:

We are excited to announce that registrations for the 2025-26 school year are now open. Join our vibrant community where children learn, grow, and play in a nurturing. Don't miss out on the opportunity to give your child a fantastic start to their educational journey!

At Epworth Preschool & Kindergarten, we believe every child deserves a strong, joyful start. Rooted in Christian values, our program offers a warm, nurturing environment where young learners feel safe, supported, and celebrated. Our thoughtfully designed curriculum encourages creativity, curiosity, and hands-on exploration—helping children grow not only academically, but socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

From imaginative play and early literacy to music, movement, and chapel time, each day is filled with opportunities to build confidence and character. Our dedicated teachers bring years of experience, deep compassion, and a genuine love for children, ensuring that every child is guided and encouraged as they develop their unique gifts.

Whether your family is seeking a caring preschool community or a solid foundation for kindergarten readiness, Epworth is a place where children love to learn and families feel at home. Come be a part of something special—where faith, learning, and childhood come together in meaningful ways.

Vision:

Epworth Preschool and Kindergarten is an educational mission of Epworth United Methodist Church which provides quality educational programs within a warm, nurturing Christian environment so that children will grow to become lifelong learners and have greater opportunity to become people of faith in the community.

Curriculum:

The Creative Curriculum will be used in the preschool classes. The Transitional Kindergarten class will use the MSDE approved curriculum that follows MSDE guidelines and expectations.
Amazing Life Christian curriculum will be used for monthly chapel and reinforced in all the classes. The curriculum will acknowledge Jesus as Lord and refer to Jesus as a “special friend,“ an age-appropriate term. Prayers will be made in the name of Jesus when offered. Our core Scripture is Galatians 5: 22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are the Christian values that will be taught. We will use John 15:5 to emphasize how our relationship with God helps produce this fruit. John 15:5 [Jesus says] I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. Christian components will be taught by the pastors and members of Epworth Family Discipleship team. Families will receive take home materials with the monthly bible stories and key verse. Families are not required to be members of Epworth to attend EPK. Children and families are not required to be Christian and will not be pressured to become so.

For information on beliefs and structure please see www.epworthunited.org

Philosophy:

We recognize that children are unique individuals with varying rates of development, capabilities, needs and interests.
EPK offers a warm, supportive atmosphere that fosters creative activities and individual growth through experimentation and exploration.
EPK has designed a learning center that provides children with numerous opportunities to use their senses, muscles, curiosity and language.

About our school:

The Epworth Preschool & Kindergarten (EPK) is a ministry of Epworth United Methodist Church created in 1981 as an educational outreach to children and their families in the greater Gaithersburg area. The preschool provides a developmentally appropriate program for children ages 2 through 4 and is licensed by the Office of Childcare. The Kindergarten program provides a developmentally appropriate Kindergarten program for 5 year olds that is approved by MSDE (Maryland State Department of Education)

OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE

OUR HISTORY

The Epworth Preschool & Kindergarten (EPK) is a non-profit organization created by the Epworth United Methodist Church in 1981 as an educational outreach program to children and their families in the greater Gaithersburg area.

LICENSURE

Epworth Preschool & Kindergarten (EPK) is fully licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), a distinction that reflects our commitment to meeting the state's highest standards for health, safety, and early childhood education. Our preschool program offers a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum for children ages 2 to 4, nurturing early learning and social-emotional growth. Our kindergarten program is designed specifically for 5-year-olds, providing a strong academic and developmental foundation that prepares students to confidently transition into 1st grade in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) or other districts. This licensure underscores our dedication to creating a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment where every child can thrive.

As a licensed child care center, EPK adheres to comprehensive regulations covering staff qualifications, child-to-teacher ratios, curriculum standards, and facility safety. Our compliance with these standards is regularly reviewed through inspections and ongoing oversight by the MSDE's Office of Child Care.

Families can feel confident knowing that EPK operates with transparency, accountability, and a dedication to excellence, all within the framework of Maryland's regulated child care system.

CERTIFICATIONS

Epworth Preschool & Kindergarten (EPK) is deeply committed to delivering the highest quality early childhood education, and we are excited to share our goals for growth and excellence through Maryland EXCELS. As part of this commitment, EPK is actively working toward achieving Maryland EXCELS Level 3 by 2026 and reaching Level 5 by 2028.

These milestones reflect our dedication to continuous improvement, staff development, family engagement, and a strong educational foundation for every child. Level 3 signifies a solid step forward in aligning our program with recognized quality standards, including enhanced curriculum planning and intentional teaching practices. Achieving Level 5, the highest possible rating, will demonstrate our leadership in early education, commitment to innovation, and success in creating a safe, nurturing, and developmentally rich environment for all students.

This journey is not just about meeting benchmarks—it’s about ensuring that every child at EPK receives the best possible start in life.