About Us
The TUMPS School uses Ohio’s Early Learning & Development Standards to guide the planning of our preschool day. Ohio’s Early Learning Content Standards provide a consistent set of expectations for learning and include Social and Emotional Development, Approaches to Learning, Cognition and General Knowledge (including Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies), Language and Literacy Development, and Physical Well-Being and Motor Development. These standards serve as a framework for designing and implementing meaningful curriculum and intentional learning activities.
Our Staff:
Our teachers are college educated and are required by the state to complete a minimum of six hours of accredited continuing education each year. In addition, we regularly meet with educators from the Upper Arlington School District and the Grandview School District to better understand Kindergarten expectations. Our goal at TUMPS is to ensure every child is socially and emotionally prepared to learn and succeed in kindergarten.
Purposeful Play:
What is play? Play allows multiple opportunities and modes to reach various standards. Informed teachers can see the standards being met in authentic and joyful play. Play is an integral part of our daily program. During free play, children are encouraged to explore a variety of creative experiences. Play fosters social and emotional growth as children learn to become part of a caring community. Each preschool day includes many hands-on activities that develop small motor skills, as well as art, science, and dramatic play. Our outdoor play area with climbing equipment, along with an indoor activity room, promotes large muscle development.
Science of Reading
Language and readiness skills are nurtured through sharing, songs, books, finger plays, table toys, and group activities. In Pre- K, math and science skills are developed through daily experiences such as counting, matching, number puzzles, sorting, experiments, cooking, and a wide variety of group activities. Technology is used as a tool to enhance children’s understanding of the world around them, including experiences such as watching baby eaglets hatch, visiting the International Space Station, and exploring the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Once a month, TUMPS enhances the children’s learning experience by providing additional enrichment opportunities, including visits from the Art Lady, Music Lady, Library Lady, and a Yoga instructor.
STEAM:
In early childhood education, STEAM is about intentionally integrating science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math throughout the curriculum and within purposeful play. Rather than isolating learning into designated “math time” or “science time”, STEAM concepts are woven into the entire day. Children explore, question, create, and problem-solve naturally as they play, engage with materials, and interact with their environment making learning meaningful, connected, and developmentally appropriate.
Thank You to Our Parent Support Group!
TUMPS is lucky to have an active and dedicated Parent Support Group! Our PSG hosts several family friendly events during the year including a Kick-Off Fall Family Social and a Spring Fling Event. Not only do these activities bring our TUMPS families together and promote a sense of community, but the money they raise helps to fund educational extras such as our monthly Art and Music Classes, a Farm-To-You visit and extra equipment & supplies for our classrooms.
Nondiscrimination Policy: TUMPS admits children of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, programs and activities of the preschool. It does not discriminate on the basis of any of these factors in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies and scholarship.