As if the thought of sending your precious little one off to preschool wasn’t already enough to make the waterworks begin, with all the amazing choices out there, how do you go about picking one? Montessori versus Cooperative? Play-based versus Academic? Can someone just point us in the direction of the school that will give our kids their first step towards Harvard, please? We kid! (Kinda.)
Although every family has different needs when choosing a school, there is one thing we have in common when it comes to our children: high expectations. We all want a place that will foster their independence while strengthening their social skills, will ready them for Kindergarten, and be an extension of our home life that we are happy to send them off to.
Before you pack the mini-backpack, apply name labels to EVERYTHING, and fill a stainless steel bento box with an organic lunch Gwyneth would be proud of, check out my little journey into some of the finest schools in the surrounding areas. With my 2.5 year old son Vance in mind, I put my bravest Mama face on, took copious notes, and hopefully picked the right school that will set the stage for a lifetime of learning.
The Leonard and Syril Rubin Nursery School at Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Tenafly, NJ (http://www.jccotp.org/nursery-school)
Philosophy: A Jewish school where a child can blossom, grow and fulfill his or her full potential in a secure and loving environment.
Curriculum: An Academic program that focuses on language arts, science, reading and math readiness, music, art, technology training and computer use, Judaic programming, physical education, and swimming. I liked the busy but warm and unchaotic vibe of the classrooms I visited.
Toddler Program: Yes. There are many options for toddlers, including a transitional program, meaning the parent or caregiver attends class with the child until they are ready to peacefully separate.
Before-Care and After-Care: Yes
Extras: They have wonderful options for special needs children including a Toddler Socialization Mommy and Me Group and The Therapeutic Nursery (non-sectarian) for children ages 3-5. Another bonus to not overlook is this is not your typical school because it is also a community. Making mommy friends would be easy here. Plus their Neil Klatskin Day Camp offers dynamic, age-appropriate programming all summer long, all day long (shorter days available for preschoolers) for kids ages 3 – 11.
Open houses are taking place on November 18, 2016, December 9, 2016, and January 13, 2017 from 9:30-10:30am.
Dwight-Englewood School, Englewood, NJ (http://www.d-e.org/)
Philosophy: Challenging minds for a changing world.
Curriculum: A nurturing environment with an age-appropriate curriculum that focuses on social relationships and individual growth. Although Vance is too young for their program, there was so much about this school that excited me. The impressive education and fantastic student life speaks for itself, but I also loved that they have a strong focus on preserving your child’s creativity and happiness. What Mom isn’t going to love hearing that? (I practically wanted to enroll myself!)
Toddler Program: Children must be 3 years old to enter the Lower School.
Before-Care and After-Care: Yes
Extras: Summer discoveries program for Pre-K and Kindergarten (with after care) keeps this high quality education going through the summer months.
The Spring School, Tenafly, NJ (http://springschool.com/)
Philosophy: A Montessori Preschool to 8th grade school that believes in “following the child”.
Curriculum: You’ll find all the Montessori principals at work here: mixed-aged classes, a blend of structure and freedom, and hands-on interest based learning. It was easy to see the children’s curiosity being fostered by the freedom in the classroom as they moved from task to task, working diligently on whatever interested them. This way of learning makes for a happy (and productive) but typically quieter classroom.
Toddler Program: Yes
Before-Care and After-Care: Yes
Extras: You can begin language and instrument studies at 3 years old here. Preschoolers have physical education both indoors in the gymnasium and outside. There is an organic lunch option. Also, the school has a summer day camp.
Lindgren Nursery School, Closter, NJ (http://www.lindgrenschool.org/)
Philosophy: A place where children can be children.
Curriculum: A Media-free, play-based program that strives for education of the whole-child, developing their social, emotional, physical and intellectual selves. Free play, indoors and outdoors, is the name of the game here. A love of reading, a natural understanding of mathematics, problem solving, the world of plants and animals, and understanding personal and community needs are all important focuses.
Toddler Program: Yes
Before-Care and After-Care: Yes, as well as bus transportation.
Extras: Year-round resident farm animals are outdoors daily for the children to observe. My son loved seeing the animals when we visited! Organic gardening, walks to the nearby Closter Nature Center, tons of sand and mud, and a summer day camp make this an ideal choice for the active child looking to PLAY!
Palisades Country Day & Palisades Pre-School & Kindergarten, Closter & Fort Lee, NJ (http://www.palisadescountryday.com/)
Philosophy: A school with a meaningful and integrated approach to education.
Curriculum: An Academic program that focuses on science, art, languages, computer technology (computers/iPads in every classroom.), and other traditional subjects. Big, bright and busy classrooms with time spent daily being outdoors.
Toddler Program: Yes
Before-Care and After-Care: Yes
Extras: They have weekly and monthly specials that take a closer look at their areas of focus. A fun sports program, nature classes, handwriting program, and more. The Closter location has an extremely popular (and well deserving of the stellar reputation) summer day camp.
An open house is taking place on November 5, 2016 from 10am-12noon.
Holy Cross Nursery School, Mahwah, NJ (http://www.holycrossmahwah.org/)
Philosophy: To assist parents in guiding their children into successful, useful and purposeful Christian lives, integrated with the highest standard of preschool education.
Curriculum: Fun-based learning is their goal with classrooms equipped with a wide assortment of materials and educational toys for large and small motor development, reading and number readiness, art, science, music, dramatic play, audio-visual aids, and other supplies to help develop each child’s growing physical capacities and curiosity for learning. For the little ones, a gentle separation is achieved by “circle time” in which parents join in the class for the last 15 minutes and discuss what happened that day.
Toddler Program: Yes
Before-Care and After-Care: Yes
Extras: A summer day camp and lots of fun possible extracurriculars here such as tennis, golf, dance, and yoga.
Peace Through Play Nursery School, Chestnut Ridge, NY (http://peacethroughplay.com/Peace_Through_Play/Home.html)
Philosophy: A Preschool with consciousness that honors, respects and is devoted to the rights of all children.
Curriculum: A Media-free, Montessori-based program that focuses on Pre-Academic skills such as science, math, and literacy all through peaceful play and cooperative learning. Outdoor physical activity and music is of great importance here. The school itself is very charming; a state-of-the-art large treehouse, 2 acres of land, nature trails, and a multi-room schoolhouse with different small rooms, dedicated to different activities, where the children are free to roam.
Toddler Program: Yes
Before-Care and After-Care: At no extra fee, your child is welcome to start the day as early as 7:30am and stay until 6pm.
Extras: Nutrition is taken seriously here. No junk food allowed! The children make organic smoothies together and only healthy foods are allowed to pass through the doors. Children participate in daily Yoga. The school has a summer day camp, so it is open year round.
Melanie-Amber Ruane is the Activities Editor for Bergen Mama. She currently resides in Bergen County and is the mom of 2 year old Vance.
