“Let the children come to me, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 19:14

An important aspect of children's ministry at Mt. Zion UMC is Sonshine Preschool. The preschool offers a Christian learning and playing environment for children ages 2 through 5.

Pay Monthly Tuition and FEES

*Please note, there is a Site fee of 3% added to every transaction.  this is the fee for online payment CONVENIENCE.*

2023-2024 enrollment

Enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year begins Wednesday January 25, 2023.  The deadline to enroll is Wednesday February 15, 2023.  The drawing will be held on Thursday February 16, 2023.  Families will be notified of placement on Friday February 17th via email.  The cost to register is $75.00 per child, this fee is non-refundable.  


The drawing is conducted in the following priority order:  

1.  Currently enrolled students and siblings

2.  Non-enrolled Church members (member as of December 31)

3.  Alumni families within the past 5 years

4.  Community  


To schedule a tour, please contact the Preschool Office at 704-892-0654.  Tours are Monday-Thursday at 10:00am. 


Click here for Enrollment Application.


Purpose and Philosophy


Sonshine Preschool is a weekday ministry of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church for preschool children and their families.


Its purpose is to provide a Christian environment in which young children will have experiences that will enable them to develop spiritually, emotionally, socially, physically and mentally.


In an atmosphere of love, trust and reverence, children will sense the excitement of learning through play, hands on experiences and discovery. With God's help, each child will become the person he or she is intended to be. Learning activities, materials and practices will be developmentally age appropriate and relevant to the lives of young children.

General Information

Sonshine Preschool offers classes for children who are two through five years old. We offer growth and development opportunities for children through daily centers (art, manipulatives, drama/dress-up, science/sensory, writing, home-living, reading and blocks), daily circle time, outdoor play, cooking and specials.  Sonshine Preschool operates September through May. Program hours are 9:00am to 1:00pm. Sonshine maintains its own school calendar regarding days and hours of operation.  Please checkout our policies and procedures in the Parent Handbook.


2023-2024

classes offered

Tuition Rates

and Fees


Tuition is based on the total annual cost of the program and divided into 9 equal payments. Tuition payments are due a month in advance. The first payment of the year is due May 1. Sonshine also requires an annual Art Supply Fee.


A registration fee of $75 per child is due at the time of registration. This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE unless the program is full and your child is not placed.


A yearly Art Supply Fee is due before preschool begins each year: 

$20 - 2 year olds

$30 - 3 year olds

$40 - 4 year olds

$50 - TK class

  • 2-Day, 2 year olds

    $230 per month

    Days: M/W or T/TH

    Students must be 2 on or before August 31, 2023


    max of 10 students with 2 teachers

  • 3-Day, 3 year olds

    $275 per month

    Days: T/W/TH

    Students must be 3 on or before August 31, 2023


    max of 12 students with 2 teachers

  • 4-day, 4 year olds

    $325 per month

    Days: M/T/W/TH

    Students must be 4 on or before August 31, 2023


    max of 14 students with 2 teachers

  • 4-day, 5 year olds

    $360 per month

    Days: M/T/W/TH

    Students must be 5 on or before August 31, 2023


    max of 14 students with 2 teachers

CURRICULUM

Sonshine uses the WEE Learn Curriculum created by Lifeway Christian.  It is a weekly thematic guide with Bible verses and Bible stories.  Sonshine also incorporates Letterland in the 3’s classes for letter introduction and in the 4’s and TK classes for letter introduction, reiteration, shape and sound.  Letterland is an introductory phonics program that uses stories and music.  Handwriting without Tears is a program used in our 4’s and TK classes to teach letter order and style through a developmentally appropriate, multisensory approach.  Children also attend Chapel once a week in the Main Sanctuary (led by the Director, Pastoral and Christian Education staff at Mt. Zion), music class once a week with our staff Music Teacher and Storytime once a month with a staff member from the Cornelius Library.