Rye Presbyterian Nursery School

"The purpose of this school is to furnish a weekday nursery school for children within the church and the community; To provide a healthy atmosphere for the physical, cognitive, spiritual and social development of the children; To help parents toward a better understanding of their child's development and behavior."

- From the RPNS Mission Statement

Introduction & Philosophy

The Rye Presbyterian Nursery School is a "Reggio"inspired preschool, dedicated to providing age appropriate learning experiences for children, ages two through five.

We believe that young children learn through their play, as they interact with their peers in the classroom environment. The knowledge that they gain as they play, construct, imagine, experiment, dialogue and socialize with other children and adults, provide the basis for fostering independent, intellectually competent, socially responsible and capable individuals.

Each of our ten classrooms have activity centers that provide experiences in art, music, block construction, sensory activities, dramatic play, science exploration, reading, writing and math.

Two playgrounds and a track area provide numerous gross motor play activities. Inspired by the renowned Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, our staff uses a project approach and modern day technology to document children's work, providing the framework for parents, children and teachers to see what the children are learning throughout their day, as they play.

The Rescue Helicopter

Celebrates the community of learners that is created between children, parents and teachers in all of our classes at RPNS. When teachers listen to the ideas of young children, and work in collaboration with parents to support these ideas, amazing things can and do happen everyday!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohJkirNUH0E

As RPNS celebrates our past 54 years with young children and their families, we continue to see ourselves as a community of learners. We have always believed that young children learn best through their play. As they construct, imagine, experiment, dialogue and socialize with other children and adults, they are developing the skills needed to become independent, intellectually and socially competent individuals.

Registration Dates for the 2013-14 School Year!

"In House" Registration for returning students, younger siblings and church members: Nov. 26-30.
"Interest Meetings" for new families on Dec. 11th @ 9:30am & Dec.12th @ 8:15am.
Tours available at 9:30am & 1:00pm on Oct. 25; Nov. 15, 26; Dec.4, 6, 10, 2012.

Call 914 967-2073 to register for a tour.

Inspired by the renowned "Reggio Emilia" approach to early childhood education:

We foster a rich environment in our classrooms, studio and outside space.
Our faculty collaborate in co-teaching teams, listening to children's play, to uncover ideas for emergent project work.
Expression is encouraged through a variety of media and tools.
Through technology and documentation we make these ideas visible to the school community of children, parents and professionals.

Environment: Classrooms include a mini studio / message center, dramatic play, construction and exploration of light,
an art studio for use with children, parents and staff, 2 playgrounds and a track.

Expression: Some of the unique ways that children express themselves at RPNS are through clay; weaving, beading, wire and sculpture; drawing and painting and paper making.

Listening In one of our 4s classes, the children wanted a window on the wall in their dramatic play area. Our studio teacher worked with them to research,   plan, draw and paint a joyful representation of their "view" from the window, including a rainbow, a house, clouds, a playground and friends. At the end of their project, they presented a slide show of their process to their friends. The pretend window now hangs in the housekeeping area.



Community Children, their parents and families, our staff and administration together create relationships, traditions, celebrations and memories.



As we appreciate and revisit the ideas of young children and what they wonder about, we gain greater understanding of how to nurture the remarkable joy and learning of childhood.

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