General Information

Philosophy
The Playschool regards childhood as a wonderful and special time of life. We believe that an early childhood setting should provide children with the opportunity to learn, discover with delight and develop a sense of respect for others. Within a developmentally appropriate setting, we encourage children to become active participants with the curriculum by providing them with a setting that is warm, loving and intimate. We see children as active learners encouraging them to explore and ask questions. We respect their ideas and feelings and nurture within them a sense of responsibility and individuality.

Daily Schedule
The daily class schedule is structured yet flexible and includes circle time, gym, snack and free choice. Specialists in creative movement and music and art work with the children on a weekly basis. The children either use the roof playground or indoor gym daily.

Communication
A major goal of the program is to maintain close communication among children, parents, caregivers and staff. Communication is sent home to parents on a frequent basis both by the administration and the teachers. Parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year in order to provide a formal meeting time for teachers and parents to discuss the child's developmental growth. While these are the formally scheduled meetings, there is always an open dialogue between parents and the school.

Parent Participation
The School coordinates several events each year where parents are encouraged to attend. These include curriculum evening, the Winter Holiday program, holiday classroom parties and specific classroom curriculum events and outings. Parents are notified of these events in advance with a separate mailing. If parents are interested in reading a book at circle time or coordinating a classroom activity for the children, we encourage them to speak directly to the classroom teachers so that a convenient date and time can be arranged in the School's and parent's schedules.

Separation
Our goal is to provide an atmosphere at the school where the children feel stimulated, happy, secure and loved. To do this we recognize that each child will experience separation at his or her own rhythm and pace. The separation period is therefore designed to assist children and parents in having a positive experience. Home visits for the nursery children and parent/teacher orientation occur the week before school begins. In addition, the length of the nursery day is shortened during the first two to three weeks of school.

Admissions Process
Children applying to the nursery program must be three years old on or before school begins. Children applying to the pre-kindergarten program must be four years old on or before school begins. Parents can request an application on-line or by calling the school. Upon receipt of the completed application, the Playschool contacts the parents to arrange an appointment for the parents and the child to visit the school. While we encourage both parents to visit the school, we are aware that scheduling conflicts arise which may sometimes prevent this. Notification of acceptance is made in compliance with the admission guidelines provided by the Independent Schools Association of Greater New York.