History, mission and our staff

“The mission of BUDA UMC Children’s Learning Center is to meet the individual needs of students in a developmentally appropriate manner within a safe, supportive environment.”

Students will be provided opportunities to develop academically, socially, emotionally, and physically to their fullest potential.
We believe children develop a positive self-concept through a balance of self-directed and teacher-directed activities. Children learn best through play when they can express their creativity and use their imaginations while learning. We believe that during their very earliest years, children develop their confidence, self-esteem and the foundation they will need to succeed in life. We are committed to providing high-quality childcare to the families we serve. We strive to nurture each child’s unique qualities and potential, support families through strong partnerships and create an environment that will encourage professionalism, growth, and diversity. We aspire to do this successfully to make a difference in the lives of children, families, and the community where we live and work.

Our History

Buda United Methodist Church has a long history of running a faith-based child development center.  We opened our first center in the mid 1980’s and served children from 18 months through sixth grade with our after-school program.  It was with a sad heart that we had to close our doors in 2011 for economic reasons.  In 2018, the leadership of the church decided it was time for us to utilize our space and as a mission to the community, start up the CDC again.  Following a delay due to the pandemic, we proudly re-opened our doors to beautiful young children in November 2023.  

We would love for you and your children to join our family.  We offer a loving, faith-based and small center.  Your children will not get lost here.  We want them to feel that there is always a place for them here, even when they have become young adults.  Please come check us out.

CLC Board of Directors



Jeannie Cardona-Associate Pastor

Jeannie is an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).  Her faith was shaped in large part by the church she grew up attending in Conway, AR, her family of philosophy professors, the trails of national parks, and the classrooms of Centre College in Danville, KY. In the beauty, challenges, wisdom, and relationships that characterized all of these contexts, Jeannie was confronted by God’s call to ministry. Answering that call led her to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (first for an M.Div and later as Director of Church Relations) and to Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX, where she served as Monie Pastoral Resident.

Melanie Taylor – Director

Melanie comes to us with ten years of experience in childcare and five years in leadership roles. Members of the Buda UMC community will recognize her as our former Children and Youth Ministry Director AND the gifted artist behind our learning center’s wall murals. She has already poured love and creativity into our learning center; now, she returns to do so again in an even greater capacity.

Melanie brings her core values of faith and respect. Her central goal in leadership is to “build a positive and supporting environment” by ensuring that “everyone (staff, students, and families) feels valued and heard.”

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