First United Methodist Church – Weekday Ministry
About the Weekday Ministries
Established in Clinton over forty years ago, the weekday programs meet in the education wing of the church. Our teachers have decades of experience in education, as well as knowledge in developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) for young children.
Contact Director Michele Rittenhouse at 601-924-9961 or by email at [email protected] for more information.
Weekday Ministries Programs
Handbook and Drafting Form
Preschool
Three- and four-year-old Preschool is an opportunity to learn and play with other children. With guidance from loving Christian teachers, our children are well prepared for kindergarten.
Five-Day classes are Monday – Friday and Three-Day classes are Tuesday – Thursday.
Preschool hours are from 8:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with Playdays until 1:45 p.m. offered Monday through Thursday for an additional charge.
Summer Play Days are available Tuesday and Thursday 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Curriculum
Our three and four-year-old preschool classes use Get Set for School which is part of the Learning Without Tears® curriculum.
“The Learning Without Tears® curriculum draws from years of innovation and research to provide developmentally appropriate, multisensory tools and strategies for your classroom. The program follows research that demonstrates children learn more effectively by actively doing, with materials that address all styles of learning.”
“This curriculum prepares children for kindergarten in a developmentally appropriate way…It will help 4-year-olds get set for school by helping them develop coloring, drawing, counting and beginning writing skills. Look for the alphabet, pictures, colors, shapes, Mat Man®, letters, and numbers. Children will sing, color, draw, count and write all year long.
The fundamental part is the careful way in which we use hands-on letter and number play. Children happily and actively build letters and numbers before they write. We also teach them how to hold and use crayons. These are the early habits that will serve them well next year and every year.”
Admin and Preschool
Michele Rittenhouse – Weekday Director
Claire Pollak – Weekday Office Administrator
Carol Richards – Weekday Office Assistant
Amelia Stuart – Preschool Assistant
Jen Keys – PK3 (3 Day) Teacher
Jill Hardy – PK3 Teacher
Stacey Thornton – PK3 (3 Day) Teacher
Iesha Daniels PreK 4 Teacher
Megan Strickler – PK4 (3 Day) Teacher
Shane Graham – PK4 (3 and 5 Day) Teacher
Mother’s Morning Out
Mothers’ Morning Out provides a safe, nurturing environment where children ages 1-3 spend the morning learning, playing and growing together. This program is perfect for families that:
- Have a desire to enhance their child(ren)’s social and developmental skills
- Need just a few hours a week to take care of personal, family or household needs
- Looking for a summer only Mother’s Morning Out program
Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday (your choice based on availability) or Monday – Thursday beginning Fall 2022. Friday option as well.
August through May – 8:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Summer Mother’s Morning Out is also available June through July.
Alicia Johnson – MMO Supervisor
Kimberly Brockington –2 year old teacher
Tina White – 2 year old teacher
Wendy Hopkins – Cook & MMO Assistant
Wanda Carter – 1 year old teacher
Karen Evans – 1 year old teacher
Kim Barber – MMO 2 year old teacher
Kelsie Funchess – MMO assistant teacher
Monthly Drafting
Summer Programs
Our summer programs include:
- Summer Preschool Playday (Tuesday and Thursday 8:15 am to 1:45 pm) for children entering PK3 through those entering kindergarten. (MUST be potty trained)
- Summer Mother’s Morning Out for children one year of age through those entering PK3
OFFICE INFORMATION
Office Hours
MONDAY – FRIDAY – 8 AM – 4 PM
Office Phone
Front Desk, Information and Staff
601.924.6671
Address
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
100 MT. SALUS DRIVE
CLINTON, MS 39056
https://firstmethodistclinton.org
WEEKDAY MINISTRIES
Weekday Hours
MONDAY – FRIDAY – 8 AM – 2 PM
Weekday Phone
Preschool and Mother’s Morning Out
601.924.9961
Address
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
100 MT. SALUS DRIVE
CLINTON, MS 39056