There are two fully qualified and experienced teachers for each class.  These self-contained integrated classrooms provide continuity and stability which is essential for children of this age. Our classes are small.  The kindergarten class has a maximum of 16 children.  In our 4- to 5-yearold groups we have a maximum of 16 children, and in our 3- to 4-year-old groups we have a maximum of 14 children.

The school encourages close cooperation and open communication with parents. Parents are invited to visit their child’s classroom: to observe, to participate, to help with a special project, or to share some special talent with a class. There is a Special Person Week which is time when a special person comes to share in their child’s day at school. Programs with topics of interest to parents are offered at various times during the year. Parent conferences are scheduled twice a year or anytime upon request. We have family events and fundraising events throughout the course of the school year. Parent volunteers work hard to make these events successful and we encourage participation.

Our nursery school classrooms contain the following areas: Dramatic Play Block Building Writing Center Small Manipulatives Science Book Corner Discovery Table (presents different materials, such as sand or water) Free Art Areas Large Muscle Areas (indoors and outdoors) Playdough table Snack table

Interacting within this environment encourages growth in each of the following areas:

Social and Emotional Skills
Each child:

• Develops positive feelings of self and self-reliance
• Develops tools of communication and problem solving
• Forms and appreciates friendships
• Initiates imaginative play, both alone and with others
• Understands the classroom routine
• Gains a sense of ownership of his/her environment

Pre-reading and Literacy Skills
Each child:

• Is immersed in a print-rich environment
• Develops an interest in letters and words
• Understands left-to-right sequencing
• Understands the relationship between spoken and written words
• Develops listening skills
• Participates in singing and rhyming
• Increases his/her vocabulary
• Develops story telling skills

Math and Science Skills
Each child:

• Develops critical thinking
• Explores cause and effect
• Develops number recognition
• Observes and understands sequencing, patterns, graphing, measuring and balance

Creative Skills
Each child:

• Discovers colors and textures
• Experiments with a variety of materials in open-ended art activities
• Appreciates the ideas and work of others
• Explores and develops real-life scenarios through play in the block area and house corner

Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Each child:

• Develops hand muscles through easel painting, gluing, cutting, play dough and small manipulatives (e.g., pegboards and puzzles)
• Develops large muscles through indoor and outdoor play that includes running, climbing jumping, digging, biking
  and sliding

The overall management and fiscal policies of the school are set by the Board of Directors which consists primarily of mothers and/or fathers of the school’s children. The Board meets once a month with the Director.