Our Community
Our Teachers
Our teachers have a great wealth of experience. Amongst them, they have many years of education and training with children, including early childhood education, elementary education, art education, and children's special education. Many of our teachers are also parents themselves, and have experienced the challenges and rewards of raising their own children.
Two of our four teachers (including both head teachers) have been with our school since its founding in 1998. The continuity this has provided to both the children and the running of the school itself has proven invaluable.
Most importantly, our teachers are a unique group of nurturing and caring people who are able to see the children at Nursery School of the Nyacks as individuals. Each child is provided with a secure environment in which to grow and build on their individual strengths and interests.
Likewise, friendships among parents and families endure. The community steps up to help a family with a new baby, or one going through a difficult time.
Parents swap play dates to cover for each other.The strength of the co-op lies in the participation and teamwork of the entire school. Parents and teachers contribute their time, energy, and talents through specific commitments (see below), as well as a general attitude of pitching in when something needs to be done.
In the spirit of "many-hands-make-light-work", the necessary tasks— and many inspired bonus projects— are accomplished. In any given year, the combination of parents at the school turns up serendipitous skills and gifts: a professional photographer, an experienced manager, a clever inventor, a persuasive salesperson, a determined organizer, a musician/artist/craftsperson.
Parents & Community
This cooperative community provides rich and long-lasting benefits to both children and parents. The lessons of shared tasks, resources, responsibilities, and experiences provide important foundations— socially, intellectually, and creatively. Countless NSN chums continue to be close through middle school and beyond.
To contribute to the day-to-day operations of the school, for each school year, parents commit to:
• Attend 4 general meetings
• Participate on a school committee or the Parent Board
• Participate in your child’s classroom on a rotating basis:
Two Day Class – approximately every 6 weeks
Three Day Class – 3–4x/year
Five Day Class – 2–3x/year, plus as needed for special events
• Bring snacks for your child’s class on your participation day
• Participate in one toy/classroom clean-up day
• Actively participate in fundraising activities organized by the fundraising committee