A group of parents created Rhinebeck Community Nursery School in 1997 to provide the community with a quality, developmentally-appropriate nursery school. We are a not-for-profit organization. In 1999, RCNS was accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) after meeting their rigorous standards of an exemplary program.
Our mission is to provide a supportive environment in which young children learn to be loving and caring citizens who respect and value one another. The school espouses a developmental learning philosophy that is both age-appropriate and individual-appropriate. We offer learning experiences that will help children grow in all interrelated areas of development: social, intellectual, physical and emotional. We provide a supportive environment in which children can be children -- where they can learn to be competent, curious, independent, joyful and successful learners.
We believe that each child approaches learning in a unique, individualistic way; children construct their own learning schma by exploring subjects that are of particular interest to them. The teacher is seen as a facilitator for the children's learning. We won't push a particular learning experience upon the child if he or she is not ready or interested. We allow each child to develop his or her own learning agenda.
We use an integrated curricula approach to help children expand their learning through active exploration, manipulation and discovery. Various levels of difficulty are presented so that each child will experience challenge, understanding and success. We attempt to foster creative problem-solving divergent thinking, creative designing abilities and mediation skills. We seek to build ever-expanding learning concepts, not isolated skills. Learning is not divided into artificial academic areas.
A main focus of the school is to promote positive social behaviors. We help children grow in their ability to cooperatively participate in small or large groups. We help them to develop sensitivity, awareness and respect for the needs of other children and adults.
You are invited to learn more about our school by visiting our lively classroom and speaking with our director and teachers. Call today to arrange an appointment: 876-5239.
Rhinebeck Community Nursery School is a warm, happy and nurturing place for children 3, 4 and 5 years old. Our weekday morning program provides a supportive environment with learning experiences that help children to grow in all areas of their development.
