Mission Statement
It is the mission of Westminster Weekday Schools to provide a program for our students that allows them to be active learners and unique individuals. We believe in providing a developmentally appropriate learning environment that supports children’s initiatives to explore, investigate, observe, and experiment while allowing for appropriate risk taking within safe boundaries. In doing so, we strive to foster and create in our students a life-long love of learning.
Westminster Weekday Schools welcomes and serves children of all races, nationalities, and religious creeds, infants through pre-kindergarten age.
About Our Child Care & Preschool
Westminster Weekday Schools is a ministry of Westminster United Methodist Church and has been in operation for almost 50 years. Our classes are for children nine months of age through pre-kindergarten. We believe in a play-based learning environment that supports children’s initiative to explore, investigate, observe, and experiment while allowing for appropriate risk taking within safe boundaries. We provide opportunities and experiences to develop the whole child – spiritually, cognitively, emotionally, physically, and socially.
Westminster Weekday Schools is licensed by the Texas DHHS with the Texas Child-Care Licensing office.
Teacher/Child Ratios
For the Children’s Day Out program (9 months-two years), the child/teacher ratio is 3-to-1 for the infant class and up to 6 to 1 for the two year old classes.
In the Dayschool (3 -5 years), the child/teacher ratio is 7-to-1 for the three year old classes and up to 8-to-1 for the older children.
Our Teachers
Our teaching staff is highly qualified with at least two teachers per class. In order to provide the utmost in instruction and meet the individualized needs of each child, our child/teacher ratios are kept low.
All teachers participate in at least 24 hours of continuing education courses annually in order to stay current with early childhood education information and to improve their skills. All teachers and staff are certified in CPR, Infant CPR, and First Aid.
To provide the best support for our students and teachers, a Child Development Coordinator and a Curriculum/Teacher Support Coordinator are on staff.
Our Director
Talisha Fitzgerald is a native Houstonian who proudly attended Houston Independent School District (HISD) schools and graduated from Evan E. Worthing High School. She furthered her education at Sam Houston State University, earning her degree in Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management. Upon graduation, Talisha began her career at Star of Hope Family Shelter, working in their onsite preschool. It was here that her passion for teaching children blossomed. She gained valuable experience teaching in the Orange Fish Class and the Gator Room before transitioning to the role of Registrar and eventually becoming the Director. With 17 years of marriage to her husband Ray, Talisha is the proud mother of three wonderful sons. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys traveling, reading, participating in sports, and cherishing time with her family.
Our Assistant Director
Ruthie Holguin has been with Westminster for 27 years. She has a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Houston. She taught in the classroom for four years, and was the CDO Curriculum Coordinator for nine years before becoming the Assistant Director. She has two sons and a daughter who are all WWDS graduates.