Philosophy Purpose Program Hours Tuition

Philosophy

Our school is guided by Quaker principals of non-violence, respect for the individual, and by the spirit of Quaker Meeting which allows what is best in each person to be affirmed and nurtured. Our program is designed to meet the needs of the children and to help them grow and develop at their own pace and in their own way. In an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance, we foster self-esteem and positive social relationships while providing an intellectually stimulating environment. Each child participates in activities that lead to the joy of observing, exploring, experimenting, discovering and creating.

Scarsdale Friends Nursery School opened in 1954 under the care of Scarsdale Friends Meeting to provide a preschool experience for children of Meeting members and the community. The nursery school is a non-profit organization committed to a culturally diverse education. We strive to create a program that reflects the lives of our children, families, staff, and community and to provide a welcoming and engaging environment.

Programs

Our classroom environments foster self-directed play and critical thinking skills. Guided by our knowledge of the developmental stages of each age group, their abilities, interests, and needs, we provide the materials and support that extend the child's own exploration and discovery. The children engage in a variety of activities, including art, music, cooking, science, mathematics, dramatic play, block building, large motor play and language activities. Weekly visits from a music and movement specialist enrich our curriculum. Mobile nature programs come to the school. Our day also includes a meeting time when the children come together for a story, song and group activity. Snack time is preceded by a moment of silent reflection. In all but the worst weather, we play outside, which has a new playground installed in 2000, and a blacktop for riding tricycles and scooters.

The Program for Twos

The Twos share many of the activity centers of a preschool. Twos need to feel as if their environment is responsive and predictable. They are in the process of developing cognitive “maps” and “clocks” and need lots of repetition about the important happenings in their lives. Twos like to feel strong and in control of as much of their environment as practical. They need the kind of structure that alternates quiet and active play, regulates the level of stimulation they are receiving and responds quickly and with a minimum of fuss to their frustration and fears. Teachers of twos learn to tune into each child’s behavior because a great deal of their communication is still non-verbal. Twos need a great deal of freedom to move around; they incorporate movement into almost everything they do. Ours is a small class of 8 students and 2 teachers.

The Preschool Room

Our Preschool Room provides a mixed-age setting for our three and four-year-olds. The large classroom which easily converts into two smaller spaces allows time for both whole group activities and activities separated by age group. The 10 three years and the 10 four-year-olds come together for many of the activities during the morning, such as group play, clean up time, story, and outdoor play at the end of their day. They also separate by age group for activities specifically designed for their developmental stage, and to create the bond with their fellow classmates who ideally spend two years together in the Preschool Room. The natural curiosity of preschool age children and their desire to make sense of the world are used to motivate them to become involved with a variety of activities

Transitional Fives

This program is designed to meet the developmental and emotional needs of children who would benefit from extending their nursery school experience. The program recognized the maturing ability of the five year old to symbolize his or her experience in science, mathematics and language and to integrate this knowledge in a more abstract way. The Transitional Fives class provides a more in depth, whole group, shared experience. There are 8 students and one teacher.

Music and Movement

Our Music and Movement specialist comes to the school on Thursdays. During her time with the children, she sees the Fours and Fives together, and then the Threes and Twos separately. In each session of up to one-half hour, she incorporates musical instruments, rhythm and yoga, and takes the children on “listening walks”. She plays her guitar to the children and sings them songs, and also involves them with her as she teaches them familiar songs and gives them instruments to play along. She teaches them yoga stretches, and stretches their imagination when the inserts a cassette and they listen to a group of unusual sounds that they identify collectively. They can also act out the sounds. Linda has an incredible knack for incorporating new material and maintaining a predicable schedule.

School Hours

School is in session from 9:00 until 11:15 for the Twos, 11:45 for the Preschool Room and 12:00 for the Transitional Fives. The staff is not and cannot be responsible for the children before and after these time frames. The children are always welcome to utilize the playground and outdoor area before and after school hours under parent supervision.

Sibling Visits

If your child is going to be absent, please call us at the school between 8:30-9:30 or send a message with another parent. Please inform us if there is an illness.

Your child’s health is a matter of importance to us, and it also impacts the children of the school. Upon enrollment, you must provide us with a medical and immunization form completed by your child’s physician. In addition, an emergency form filled out by the parent must be on file in the school. If your child becomes ill during a school session, the child will be removed to the Director’s office and a parent will be called. If the parents cannot be reached, the people listed on the emergency card will be called to pick up your child. Please make sure the people you list as contacts on your emergency form are available and that they know their responsibility if you are not able to be reached. Please do not send your child to school with a sore throat, loose stools, vomiting or fever within the last 24 hours. If your child has a contagious disease or illness, such as strep throat, conjunctivitis, chicken pox, or has a fever, diarrhea or vomiting, the child may return to school after being symptom free for 24 hours, and in consultation with your physician. If your child has a contagious disease or lice, please inform us so that we may notify the other parents that their child has been exposed.<

Safety in the parking lot is of the utmost importance. Especially after school we can let our guard down. Please enter at the driveway nearest the Meeting House. When you leave, please exit from the parking lot --cautiously--through the Village Hall property.
If someone other than the authorized person(s) is to pick up your child (as indicated on your emergency form), please notify us in writing; a verbal communication is not enough. We will release children to authorized persons only.

Snow Closings

Emergency closing of school due to weather conditions will follow Scarsdale Public Schools. Extra days are built into our school calendar to allow for snow days. If Scarsdale Public Schools are closed, we will be closed. If Scarsdale Public Schools have a one-hour delay, we will also. If Scarsdale Public Schools have a two-hour delay, school will meet from 11:00 to 1:00 for the Preschool Room and the Transitional Fives, 11:00-12:00 for the Twos. At all other times, please use your judgment. If you feel the driving is hazardous, please have your child remain at home. 

You will be informed by your room parent or you may listen to WFAS –1230 AM which broadcasts Scarsdale Public School closings.

Monthly newsletters will be sent out via the children’s cubbies the first week of every month. It will give information on upcoming events such as visits from the Nature people that are not listed in the calendar. There is bulletin board in each classroom where the teachers note events as well. There will be notices posted on the door as you come in to remind you, and to let the children know in advance for what to look forward to.
There is a parent resource library in the Director’s office, and you may browse through the books or take them out at any time.
Conferences are scheduled twice yearly, in December and again in April for the Preschool Room and the Transitional Fives. The Preschool Room will have two Fridays off to accommodate the many conferences the teachers have to attend to. The Transitional Fives conferences are before and after school. Look for sign up sheets during those months. The Twos teachers urge you to be in communication with them throughout the year and are always available to talk about your child. If you would like to schedule a conference in either December or April, the teachers of the Twos will also have a sign up sheet.

Snack

Snack is provided daily by the parents. There are monthly calendars on the bulletin boards where you can sign up for snack. The teachers will be given a list of allergies to post at the beginning of the year--please refer to it when you purchase snack for the class. Peanuts are a common allergy so we have chosen to avoid peanut products altogether. We strongly urge you to bring healthy snacks--low in sugar. Fruit and vegetables are welcome.

Birthdays

Birthdays are special at school. We celebrate them at snack time. If you wish to celebrate your child’s birthday with the class, please make arrangements in advance. Please make sure there is enough for one treat for each child, and that they are all the same. Talk to the teachers in advance if you wish to come in towards the end of their day and share a special story with the children, or share a pictorial history of the birthday child. You may bring in photos of when your child was an infant, and of family members and pets. You and your child may want to share this with the class.
Please, no birthday goody bags or accessories such as paper hats and napkins.

Visitors

We have an open door policy at the Nursery School. All parents of the children are welcome to visit and participate at their convenience. If you have a special talent or skill you wish to demonstrate to your child’s class, we will incorporate you into our program for a morning or an afternoon. Let us know.

Tuition

Tuition for the Profram for Twos
Registration fee $100
Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-11:15 $2000

The Preschool Room
Registration fee $100
Threes
Tuesday through Thursday 9:00-11:45 $2500
Fours
Tuesday through Friday 9:00-11:45 $3300

Transitional Fives
Registration fee $100
Monday through Friday 9:00-12:00 $3800