As a cooperative, we differ in many ways from other preschools. Parents and teachers work together to create a positive early educational experience for our children. Child's Play is a network of families, friends and teachers who are enriched through the active participation in making the school run. As a result, parental involvement is necessary of all enrolled families. Our goal is to encourage children to grow at their own pace in a safe, supportive and enriching environment. Our teachers allow children to develop, at their own pace, the social skills, emotional maturity, and concepts of the world appropriate at each developmental stage. By focusing on their creative play in the classroom, the teachers allow the children to suggest and discover the activities most suited to learning what they are ready to learn. Such open-ended play is augmented with more traditional teaching - demonstrating and explaining concepts - providing more structure and shifting more responsibility to the children as development allows.
At East Side Nursery School, we support and encourage learning through active play and exploration in a free-choice environment.
Meeting Street is where infants, preschoolers and children of all ages and abilities receive individualized attention from highly trained, dedicated educators, therapists, and staff who work as a team, sharing strategies and identifying solutions to bring out the best in each and every child. At Meeting Street we believe in the power of inclusion and foster it in all we do. Our goal is to create an environment, and ultimately a world, where individuals of all abilities learn, play, work, and live together. Programs: Early Intervention - Infants to age 3 Early Head Start - Birth to 3 Early Learning Center - 6 weeks to age 5 The Grace School - Inclusive Kindergarten to 5th grade (with and without special needs) The Carter School - High School for special needs students Outpatient Therapy - Birth to age 21
Love 4 All
The Montessori method is one of the oldest methods of progressive education, rooted in the belief that children have an innate desire and motivation to learn. What sets Montessori apart from other progressive pedagogies is the unique curriculum, which is supported by didactic materials. Montessori teachers are trained to understand the lessons that correspond with each material and to guide the child through a carefully prepared environment.
We are certified and licensed by the state of Rhode Island to serve a total of 44 children, 20 preschool children and 24 infants and toddlers. Our teacher to child ratio complies with, and in many cases exceeds, state regulations. Our preschool program is also accredited by the state Department of Education. We encourage families to be part of their children's every day experience. We advocate regular parent-teacher communication. In addition to daily written reports and parent-teacher conferences at each transition stage, parents can feel free to contact the director or any teacher at any time. We also offer several social opportunities for families to see their children in action- from Family Day to our Annual Thanksgiving Feast.
