Riverdale Nursery School and Family Center: Replanting its Roots and Spreading its Wings.
"The greatest gifts we can give our children are roots and wings."
The Riverdale Nursery School and Family Center (RNSFC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was formed in 2004 with the goal of providing the highest quality early childhood education in a nurturing environment to children in the northwest Bronx, Westchester and upper Manhattan. Although recently formed, RNSFC is by no means a "new" school. Its director, Susan Smelin, and a majority of the staff are experienced educators who previously formed the staff at the Riverdale Presbyterian Church Nursery School. The outstanding reputation of the staff and their many years of service in the area of early childhood education have provided RNSFC with a loyal community following right from its inception.
The Riverdale Nursery School and Family Center provides a developmentally appropriate, interactive educational environment for young children. Through its play-based program children construct cognitive, social, emotional and physical knowledge and skill, as well as develop a love of learning and positive attitude toward school.
RNSFC is committed to serving a diverse population, including children with unique challenges. The school creates inclusive classrooms in which typically developing children and children with developmental delays can interact. RNSFC believes that all children should have the opportunity to be educated in the least restrictive environment that values and promotes the special attributes of each child.
RNSFC's mission includes exposing children to the larger world, instilling a sense of social responsibility at a young age. Through hands on, experiential learning that encompasses the tenets and practices of an environmental curriculum, children develop an awareness of the natural world.
The Family Center at RNSFC offers educational and social opportunities to families attending the School, as well as the larger community. Through programs offered at our Toddler Center as well as nursery school sponsored seminars, workshops, and support groups, parents have the opportunity to address issues relevant to parenting and family life.
The Riverdale Nursery School's open-ended curriculum is designed to nourish the development of the whole child. Interdisciplinary and multi-sensory experiences place emphasis on invention, creativity and imagination.
Integral to the goals of our school are experimentation and exploration, wherein children learn to be problem solvers, curiosity seekers and risk takers in an atmosphere of encouragement and support. A wide range of materials and a variety of activities, designed both by the teacher and in response to the children's interests, build upon the unique potential of each child.
Individualized attention is given to each child to insure that they have a broad exposure to concept and skill building activities. Group activities facilitate socialization and provide opportunities for positive peer interaction.
Curricular goals:
- To maintain a caring environment that fosters positive self-esteem and a sense of security, acceptance and belonging
- To guide and nurture conceptual knowledge and openness to ideas
- To facilitate higher-level thinking skills and critical thinking
- To further the development of social interaction and resolution skills
- To become socially responsive and responsible
- To provide opportunities for physical development
- Open-ended activity time
- Group oriented experience
- Outdoor play
- Stories/Music
- Snack
Objectives of the green program:
- To provide a healthy and productive learning environment
- To teach social and environmental awareness to children at a young age
- To implement an environmental curriculum that can serve as model for other nursery schools
The green curriculum is designed to foster an understanding and appreciation of the natural environment, diversity among people and ecosystems, and responsibility to ourselves, others and the larger world. Particular emphasis is given to the development of conceptual knowledge in the areas of biodiversity, and ecosystem/habitat management and conservation. Our young students engage in supporting activities that include animal care, organic gardening, composting, waste reduction and recycling, observation of wet and dry land habitats, and eco-art.
These areas of study allow young children to make meaningful connections through first-hand experiences.
The Riverdale Nursery School and Family Center sees the charge of educating young children as a partnership between the family and school with ongoing collaboration between the child's significant adults and the child's educational professionals. A skilled and experienced faculty work together to provide a positive and enriching preschool experience for each child and to support parents in the task of nurturing their children. Each class is conducted under the guidance of a skilled, well-qualified teacher and an appropriate number of assistant teachers to maintain an excellent staff-child ratio.
Staff members have specialized training in child development and early childhood education. Professional expertise is enhanced through attendance at conferences and workshops, ongoing in-service training and collaboration with other educational institutions. In addition, a roster of professional consultants are available to lend guidance in support of the child, allowing the school to accept a diverse group of children that will benefit from placement in a mainstream educational setting.
Unique to RNSFC is the counseling and preparation for post nursery school placements done by the Director and staff. Ongoing communication is maintained with the Riverdale and Manhattan Independent Schools, as well as local and specialized public schools.
THE RNSFC COMMUNITYParent involvement in school life is strongly encouraged. Parents participate in our active Parents Group, attend monthly topical coffee hours, share skills and interests in the classroom, join classes on field trips, plan and implement fundraising events, and contribute to several community outreach projects throughout the year.
RNSFC welcomes community participation in many school events and our family support programs. Our extensive 'Parenting Library' is open to the public, as well as admission to our after school activities.
THE APPLICATION PROCESSRNSFC begins enrollment one year in advance of admission. Mandatory tours of the School begin in October, at which time applications for admission are available. Tours can be scheduled by contacting the school office at 718-884-3950.
