Westside Presbyterian Church

Kindergarten Enrichment Offered

West Side Nursery School's popular kindergarten enrichment program, which focuses on fun and engaging activities reinforcing math, reading, writing, geography, and science, still has a few openings available. The program follows the local public school kindergarten curriculum (including "Handwriting without Tears") and offers small classes with individualized attention to each child's learning style. It is led by Nancy Toner, who has taught at West Side for 11 years and received her master's degree in early childhood education from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. Openings are available in the Wednesday and Thursday sessions, which run from 12:45 to 3:15 p.m. A "Lunch Bunch" option is available for parents who wish to extend their children's day. For information, call the Nursery School at 201-447-3501.

The 2009-2010 school year marks the 49th anniversary of the West Side Nursery School. The school has expanded from the original three teachers to a staff of about 18 and we now have specialists in music and in movement. We have six classes for ages 3 and 4 and four classes for ages 4 and 5, plus an afternoon and morning kindergarten enrichment program. "Parent and Me" classes are open for children ages 2-1/2 years old.

The school offers preference in registration to children of West Side members. All nursery school families are welcome at all church events.

West Side Nursery School is a warm and caring place for children to learn and grow while they play and have fun. Large, well-equipped classrooms are the scene of arts and crafts, stories, singing, playing, and other activities that encourage individual creativity, learning, and socialization.

While the curriculum includes developmentally appropriate accademic goals for preschoolers, West Side Nursery School's primary goal is to nurture children so that they may grow in a positive manner, becoming caring, creative, and responsible members of our society.

A music teacher augments the music program of the school. In addition, the children have weekly session of movement, gymnastics, and special indoor exercise with a trained specialist.

A half-acre playground is part of the school. The fenced-in area is naturally landscaped and has unusual equipment built by the parents and the church. Children go out onto the playground every day all year long.

The Staff

The director and staff, all trained in early childhood education, are capable, friendly, experienced, and accessible. Teachers are always available for conferences, whether formal or informal. They take pride in providing a rich program for the children that enables them to work effectively and have a positive feeling of self. All teachers also are CPR and first aid certified.

Parent Participation

We rely on volunteer class parent representatives, newsletters, bulletin boards, and the telephone and e-mails to communicate with parents and to  make everyone feel welcome to West Side. Parents have opportunities to socialize and make friends for themselves and their children.

Nursery School Board 2009-2010

There is an Advisory Board made up of church members and representatives from the school's families. Members are:

*West Side Presbyterian Church Member