History

The Emery Educational and Clinical Services Center at the Thelma P. Lally School of Education announced the opening of The Nursery School at The College of Saint Rose beginning in the fall of 2003. When implemented, the Nursery School included a half day morning program serving a maximum of 12 three-and four-year-old children. The Nursery School currently offers a morning three-year-old program and an afternoon four-and five-year-old program including Universal Pre-Kindergarten. The Nursery School now serves between 20 and 30 families.

Philosophy

The cornerstone of successful early childhood education is a strong partnership between the school and family. We strive to create a positive, respectful relationship with each family served. Parents are welcome and necessary players in their child’s nursery school experience. Together, we can help your child develop and succeed.

At the Nursery School we understand that children are primarily active learners with a variety of interests and motivators. Because preschoolers learn best through active engagement with their world, the nursery school program provides opportunities to explore and manipulate materials in a variety of interest areas. Children are encouraged to investigate, ask questions, draw conclusions and make discoveries in centers which offer diverse options for learning. Centers with a focus on Dramatic Play, Block Play, Art, Science, Social Studies, Math and Language Arts promote the development of initiative and independence and present children with an array of appealing choices for exploration. Opportunities for outdoor investigation as well as music and movement further support children's varying interests and abilities. Interactions with peers and adults assist children in developing the ability to think critically, work cooperatively and problem-solve about relevant, meaningful content.
  

Accreditation

The Nursery School at The College of Saint Rose is actively working toward accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC administers the largest and most widely recognized national voluntary professionally sponsored accreditation system for all types of early childhood schools and child care centers and is the nation's largest organization of early childhood educators.

Early childhood programs accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs – NAEYC's accreditation department – have voluntarily undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study, invited external professional review to verify compliance with the Criteria for High-Quality Early Childhood Programs, and been found to be in substantial compliance with the Criteria. A copy of the Criteria can be obtained from NAEYC's Academy.

In addition to seeking NAEYC accreditation the Nursery School @ The College of Saint Rose is in the process of registering with New York State as a Nonpublic Nursery School and Kindergarten. For more information on this process please visit Voluntary Registration of Nonpublic Nursery Schools and Kindergartens General FAQs.