BPCNS Program & Philosophy
Realizing that each child is a unique personality with his or her own special talents, interests and needs, the curriculum is carefully planned to give attention to all aspects of a child’s development and to nurture each child to attain his or her fullest potential. Children develop at different rates in different areas. The classroom is a mixed-age classroom, thus allowing each child to reach up or down according to his developmental level or mood. BPCNS consciously resists the current trend in education to ask all children to do the same skill-based tasks, and at an increasingly younger age. Instead, we follow a progressive approach, encouraging children to be children; to learn, grow and develop the way children do best. Literacy and Numeracy are incorporated into classroom life in organic, developmentally-appropriate and engaging ways.
Building a democratic classroom community, one in which children learn to listen to each other, solve problems, and develop a sense of fairness is important to us. As children learn about each other – their similarities and differences – they also learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In an unhurried nursery school environment, children can be given the time they need to listen, think and practice talking through conflict with the help of teachers.
Sessions
Morning Session – 9:00-12:30
Full Day – 9:00-2:30
Students typically come 5 days a week; however, there are a very limited number of partial-week sessions available (3 or 4 days per week). Children enroll in a session for the school year.
Physical Setting
Our large, well-equipped space consists of two adjacent rooms which allow us flexibility in responding to the children’s need for large and small group experiences, active and quiet play. The different areas of the classrooms provide opportunities for art, dramatic play, sensory and scientific inquiry, block building, large motor play, working quietly with puzzles and construction toys and enjoying books. There is a gymnasium in the building for active indoor play in inclement weather, and for outdoor play we have easy access to Riverside Park and to Columbia University Campus. We are licensed by the NYC Department of Health and follow its strict regulations for safety and health.
Parents’ Role
Parental involvement is vital to a child’s successful school experience. Parents and teachers work in partnership to that end. We encourage a close relationship and copious communication with the teachers.
BPCNS parents play an important role in the healthy functioning of the school. They support the school by contributing time and energy to maintaining and improving the school, and in fundraising. Parents also participate in school projects and trips, and share their expertise with the school and the children. Each family is expected to attend school meetings. Two parents serve on the school’s supervisory board.