Nursery School Phone: 914-723-1262

PHILOSOPHY

The Greenville Community Church Nursery School is accredited by and adheres to the developmental approach outlined in the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.     It is recognized that developmentally appropriate practice has two components-that which is age-appropriate and that which is individually appropriate for a particular child.     Here at Greenville, age-appropriate activities are tailored to meet the needs of the individual child so that his/her social, emotional, physical and cognitive development is best served.     Since young children learn best in an interactive fashion, a hands-on, multi-sensory approach is used. The experiences and interests of the children are used as starting points in planning curriculum.    To make the environment a safe one in which respect for others is a natural part of the learning process, limits are clearly defined. Within these limits, children are free to explore, to create, to experiment.     Parents are encouraged to devote time to the program. The school can provide only a part of that which is necessary for each child to develop his/her unique abilities and potential. A partnership between the home and school is crucial.     A sense of self-esteem, gained through competence in dealing with new experiences, materials and individuals, will enable our children to enthusiastically seek new challenges that will foster their growth as happy, vital young people.

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PARENT PARTICIPATION

   The staff invites all parents and grandparents to share their talents and special interests with us during the school year. Let us know when it would be convenient for you to come in to school to play an instrument, do a craft or cooking project, tell or read a story or just provide an extra pair of hands that we can always put to good use.

    Our Parents' Place Bulletin Board is the spot where school related information, articles on early childhood concerns and listings of local child related events will be posted. Please feel free to borrow the books and pamphlets on child development, education and child care issues. You will find them in the 4s' classroom & cubby room.

    We have a Fathers' Visiting Day in the Fall (usually on election day) and a Mothers' Visiting Day just before the Christmas-Hanukkah vacation. We hope that you will share the 9 am to 10 am hour with your child at school on these days.

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CONFERENCES

    Conferences are scheduled in the Fall and Spring. Your child will not have school on the morning of your conference. Although the staff is always happy to talk to you regarding any concerns that you may have, we ask that you schedule an appointment so as not to take the teachers away from their classes. Please call us on the Nursery School line, 723-1262, before or after school hours.

HOURS

    Nursery School hours are from 9:00 am until 11:45 am for three year olds; and 11:50 am for four year olds.

    Children should not be brought to school before 8:30 am unless a teacher has been notified in advance. Although the cubby rooms are open to those who wish to use them from 8:30 am, we remind you that you are responsible for your child during that 8:30 - 9:00 am period.

    We remind you to consider that a child may find it difficult to walk in on a class already in progress. So, please try to bring your child to school on time.

    If, for some reason, you do not want your child to go out to play on a given day, we ask that you pick up your child by 11:00 am.

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TRAFFIC FLOW

    Upon arrival in the morning, please park in the parking lot behind the Church and take your child to the appropriate Nursery School room.

    The procedure for pickup is: All cars proceed counter-clockwise around the parking lot. When the children are playing outdoors, the first car should stop at the playground steps. Parents should remain in the cars. Teachers will load the cars. Cars are to be in "park" when the children are being loaded. If you must get out of your car, we ask that it be properly parked. It is not to be left in the pick-up line. When the weather is inclement, the first car should come past the playground steps and stop at the Nursery School door.

    Punctuality at pick up time is most important. We do realize that unforeseen circumstances occur, but we ask that the three year olds be picked up at 11:45 am and the four year olds at 11:50 am. We try our best to have the children ready for you. We will be happy to help the children get into their car seats or seat belts. We must ask you to follow the car seat/seat belt law. It is for the protection of your child.

    Please be careful in the parking lot. Children tend to dart out unexpectedly, so be aware of where they are at all times. Once we've turned them over to you, we must direct our attention to the children still in our care.

    If your child is to go home with anyone whose name is not listed on the form we have on file, the school must have that information in writing on that particular day.

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SCHOOL CLOSING AND DELAY

    Parents will be called by the teacher if school is canceled for the day.

    If there is a change in our opening time, you will be notified by phone. Otherwise, you may assume that school will begin at the regular time, 9 am.

    In the case of any inclement weather, you are the final judge of whether you feel it is safe to transport your child to school.

HEALTH

    A certificate of good health must be presented to the Director on or before the opening day of school. If your child contracts a communicable disease during the school year, please notify the school immediately so that we may advise the other parents. If symptoms of illness develop, please keep your child at home. We also appreciate your calling us to report any absence.

    The staff cannot be responsible for dispensing medication of any kind. Cough drops should not be sent to school.

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CLOTHING

    Your child should wear comfortable, washable clothing and appropriate footwear (no sandals or crocs) so that he/she may fully participate in all aspects of our program. We ask that you label all items of clothing. It is advisable that you send one complete change of clothing that will be kept in you child's cubby.

    We will be playing outdoors most days, weather permitting, and would appreciate your dressing your child warmly enough to be comfortable even if the weather is cold. Snow pants and boots are a necessity on snowy days and on days when there is snow on the ground. Mittens tend to get lost easily, so please clip them to coats. No umbrellas are to be sent to school.

    So that we may help your child dress him/herself for outdoor play, please check to be sure that zippers and buttons are easy to handle.

    Every child is to have a bag for his/her art work. It is to be brought to school each day. We ask that you send a "shopping bag" type canvas or plastic tote. Backpacks and bags with zippers and snaps are very difficult for the children to pack and unpack.

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SNACKS

    Although our snacks usually consist of 100% fruit juice, water or milk, crackers and raw fruits or vegetables, we welcome any contribution that would broaden the children's taste for nutritious and different foods. Many kinds of food can serve as the basis for a variety of science activities. Vegetables, fruits, cheeses, and any ethnic snacks are especially desirable.

    On Wednesdays, there is a voluntary snack program. You may sign up on the sheet on your child's classroom door. We ask that you send that which your child enjoys while keeping in mind that we would prefer to avoid anything in the "sweets" family.  

    We are happy to celebrate your child's birthday in school Most parents send cupcakes but you may send whatever you and your child would enjoy. We ask that you keep this celebration simple - no balloons or party favors, please. We also ask that you refrain from distributing birthday invitations at school.

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TUITION

    Enrollment is for the entire year, and payment may be made in two ways: the entire amount is payable on June 1st, or quarterly installments due June 1st, September 1st, December 1st, and March 1st.

    TUITION FOR THE FIVE - DAY PROGRAM

    Five - day week:  $5100 for the year: $700 deposit and $100 registration fee due at registration; balance to be made in quarterly payments

Checks should be made payable to: GCNS. They may be mailed or brought to the church office at 270 Ardsley Road, Scarsdale, New York 10583

SCHOLARSHIPS

    The school is happy to provide scholarships. Scholarships are granted in relation to financial need. Contributions to our scholarship fund are tax deductible. We are most grateful for any support you are able to give us in this way. Checks should be made payable to GCNS Scholarship Fund.

NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL

    Should a child be withdrawn during the school year, notice of withdrawal must be given 30 days in advance. In the case of extended absence for any reason, tuition must be paid if the child's place is to be held. The school reserves the right to request the withdrawal of a pupil at any time for reasons consistent with the best interests of the school.

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EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM

    Greenville Community Church Nursery School is licensed under the New York State Office of Children and Family Services as a Day Care Center. This licensing allows us to operate more than 3 hours per day. Any child registered in the morning program is eligible to be enrolled in the 11:45 am to 2:45 pm program. Depending on enrollment, two or three teachers will be with the children who are in the extended day program. Three sessions (Fall, Winter and Spring) are scheduled. The number of extended days per week is determined by the enrollment. We will offer five afternoons if we can meet expenses in so doing.

SUMMER CAMP

    The Nursery School runs a six week (2 three-week sessions) program for three and four year olds from 9 am to 1 pm, five days each week. Registration will be open first to students presently attending the Nursery School. Spaces will then be made available to children registered for the coming September who have had a full year of a nursery-type program. Any remaining spaces will be made available to outsiders. Additional camp information is available upon request.

    We look forward to the year ahead with you and your child.

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