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Frequently Asked Questions about
Pennington Presbyterian Nursery School
What is your school philosphy?
Our philosophy is that a child's work is play. We believe that children develop higher-level thinking and problem solving skills by doing rather than watching. All of our activities encourage social, emotional, physical and mental growth while providing lots of fun. We also believe that each child is unique and special and deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and love.
Do you follow a set curriculum?
Our teachers develop their own lesson plans based on the themes they choose to study each year. The foundation for all lesson planning at PPNS is early childhood research and best practice theories. We also use The Creative Curriculum as a framework and guide as we strive to make each day one of exploration and discovery for our students.
When does registration begin?
Registration begins in January for the next academic year and is ongoing until all classes are filled. Waiting lists will also be created. Class listings for the 2010-2011 school year appear in the Registration information section of this website.
What ages do you serve?
We offer classes for two-year-olds, three-year-olds and four-year-olds. Two-year-old classes meet twice a week, three-year-olds meet either two or three days a week, and four-year-olds meet three, four or five days each week.
How long are classes?
Morning classes are two hours and forty-five minutes per session, and afternoon classes are two-and-a-half hours per session. Children enrolled in four-year-old classes may also attend an optional one-hour Lunch Bunch program available Monday through Thursday.
Tell me about your staff.
Our director, Hope Anderson, taught at PPNS for 16 years before becoming director in July 2005. Prior to becoming a teacher, she spent several years in business management. Our head teachers are all college graduates and hold teaching certificates or have earned the Child Development Credential. All teachers take courses in early childhood development on a monthly basis to keep abreast of current research and continue furthering their knowledge in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and health and safety.
Do children have to be toilet trained?
There is no toilet training requirement at PPNS. We work with you and your child to facilitate toilet training if he or she is ready to begin the process. Children who are being toilet training or are fully toilet trained are always accompanied to the bathroom by a teacher who is ready to assist if needed. We encourage the children to be as self-sufficient as possible, but we understand that youngsters frequently need help while they are learning new skills.
Tell me about your school calendar and weather-related school closings.
Pennington Presbyterian Nursery School generally follows the same calendar as the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, with a few exceptions in the fall and winter. A school year calendar is distributed to each family in their handbook before school begins, and teachers post reminders of vacations and holidays outside their rooms and in their monthy newsletters. We also close school when the Hopewell Valley School District is closed because of inclement weather. Weather closings and delayed openings appear on our website, www.ppnschool.org, and on the the school's telephone voice message, 737-6622, ext. 12. If we need to close school early, we will contact each family individually.
How do you begin school in the fall?
We have created a four-step plan that allows children and their families to ease into the school year in a comfortable manner:
1. You and your child receive a welcome letter from the teachers in August, which provides class-specific information and tells you about the individual visit, which occurs in late August or early September.
2. Teachers call to arrange a home visit for two and three-year-olds. Four-year-olds are invited to come to school for an individual visit with their new teachers. Visits are scheduled during the end of August or on the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday after Labor Day.
3. On the Friday after Labor Day, all children and their families are invited to come to school for informal open houses in their individual classrooms. The open houses last for about an hour and give children an opportunity to explore their new classrooms while parents meet the families they will see often during the coming year.
4. Classes begin one week after Labor Day. Children in the two and three-year-old classes attend the first few days of school with half of their classmates for half the regularly scheduled class time. For example: a two-year-old student would come to school with four of his or her classmates for about one hour per day for the first two class sessions. Children in the four-year-old classes attend school for the entire class session, but come either the first or second day of school with half their classmates to become adjusted to their new teachers and classroom. The full class attends together on the third day of school.
Since the beginning of school schedule can be a little confusing, each child's schedule is explained in detail by the teachers during the individual visit. Do you have a playground and space for indoor gross motor activities? PPNS has a large, sunny playground behind our school building. Equipment includes a sandbox, climbers, slides and swings. A local senior Girl Scout troop has also created a sensory garden for us which includes non-toxic plants that are appealing to senses of sight, smell and touch! We also have a large room inside our school for gross motor play on cold, rainy or snowy days. This room contains climbers, slides, riding toys, balance beams and other equipment that allow the children to use their big muscles even when the weather is poor outside. In 2008, we purchased many new pieces of equipment for this room to provide many options for active play when we must stay inside. |
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