Beansprouts Nursery School Programs, Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York

Beansprouts Nursery School, Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York

ur Programs

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What is a developmentally appropriate curriculum? | Lunch | Trips – Full Time 3’s & 4’s
Swimming – Full Time 3’s & 4’s | Visiting Specialists | Philosophy & Procedures
After School, Summer Day Camp And Mini Camp Programs

Our Nursery School Programs Include:

	A 5-day a week program for 2, 3 & 4 year olds 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Click here to view a Sample 2-3 Curriculum
	A 3-day a week program for 2 & 3 year olds (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
	A 2-day a week program for 2 & 3 year olds (Tuesday & Thursday) 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m
	We offer an Early Bird (7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.) and After School Program (3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.) for the above programs.
	3-day a week half-day program for 2 & 3 year olds (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) *9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
	2-day a week half-day program for 2 & 3 year olds (Tuesday & Thursday) 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
*No after school or early birds available for morning half-day program.*
	2, 3 or 5 days a week afternoon program 1-4 p.m. After school will be available for children enrolled in this program.

*Note: All children must be at least 2 years & 3 months prior to entering Beansprouts.

All of our programs maintain the same children and staff on each day. This promotes the sense of community we encourage and support in each class. Program days are not interchangeable and you are committed to this schedule, which runs from September through June.

WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM?

The concept of developmental appropriateness has two dimensions: age appropriateness and individual appropriateness.

**Human development research indicates that universal, pre- dictable sequences of growth and change occur in early childhood and in all areas of development – physical, emotional, social and cognitive. Knowledge of typical development of children within the age span served by the program provides a framework from which teachers prepare the learning environment and plan appropriate experiences.

**Because each child is a unique person with an individual pattern and timing of growth, as well as an individual personality, learning style, and family background, both the curriculum and the teachers’ interactions with a child should be responsive to individual differences.

**Learning in young children is the interaction between the child’s thoughts and experiences with material ideas, and people. These experiences should match the child’s developing abilities, while also challenging the child’s interest and understanding.

Our curriculum goals encompass experiences provided to meet children’s needs and stimulate learning in all developmental areas – physical, social, emotional and intellectual. All inter-actions and activities are designed to develop children’s self- esteem and positive feeling toward learning.

**Adapted from the Aational Association for the Education of Young Children’s
Position Statement on Developmentally Appropriate Practice
in Early Childhood Programs.

Lunch

Children bring their own lunches to school. To encourage good nutrition, please send healthy food– no cookies, cakes, sugary drinks, etc. One day a week is our cooking day. Each child is asked to bring in an ingredient for our cooking project. Ingredient notes are sent home, as well as listed on the door prior to cooking day.

Trips – Full Time 3’s & 4’s

We embark on a variety of trips to explore the wonders all around us. It is a wonderful way for children to learn about the community in which they live. One day a week is our designated trip day. For recognition purposes, children are asked to wear Beansprouts T-shirts on trip days. Parents are always welcomed. (Sorry, no siblings are allowed on trips.) Please let your child’s teacher know in advance if you would like to accompany us.

We make excellent use of our community. Some of our local trips include the post office, pet shop, the firehouse, Botanical Gardens, Prospect Park Wildlife Center and Puppet Works.

Swimming – Full Time 3’s & 4’s

Beansprouts has the wonderful opportunity of swimming each week at the local Y. We enjoy a free swim, where teachers and children learn to feel comfortable and confident in the water. Parents are always welcome to join us.

TO ENRICH OUR CURRICULUM OUR SPECIALISTS VISIT EACH CLASS WEEKLY

Music
Our music teachers come in weekly to sing with the children. They bring in guitars, conga drums and sing special songs, which quickly become an integral part of each childs’ musical experience.

Creative Movement
We have a creative movement teacher who visits Beansprouts. The teacher sings songs, performs dances, stretches and does movement activities with the children. The children work on gross motor and fine motor skills through games and play. Beanbags, mini trampoline, parachute, body bands and puppets make this activity a children’s favorite.

Art Work
The paintings, drawings and constructions your child makes in school are important as a process far more than they are as art. It is important to remember that your child sees this art as an extension of him or herself. It has added value to the child because he/she has created it. Admire it with them and encourage them to share with you the fun in creating it, rather than asking, “What is it?” Please check your child’s cubby on a regular basis for artwork ready to go home.

Snack Time
Beansprouts provides the children with fruit juice and a snack each school day. We provide a variety of snacks, i.e., fruit, cheese, bagels, crackers, pretzels, cereals, etc. avoiding too much sugar or salt. If you child has a food allergy or any such food restriction, please notify the school or your child’s teacher, preferably prior to the start of the school year.

Physical Development
Outdoor activity is planned daily so that the children can enhance their large muscle skills through riding, running, climbing in our diverse and safe play area. Children learn about their outdoor environment and express themselves freely and loudly. We also have a large playroom if bad weather should keep us indoors. Small muscle skills are developed daily through play activities such as puzzles, pegboards, cutting, painting, play dough and clay, and other manipulative activities.

Social Development
The children are provided many opportunities to develop their social skills of cooperating, sharing, helping others, and negotiating. Our teachers encourage the development of these positive social skills at all times. It is not uncommon to have Beansprouts families foster life long friendships with other families.

Cognitive Development
Learning about math, science, social studies, health and other content areas is integrated through meaningful activities, such as those when children build with blocks, measure sand, water or ingredients for cooking. Children observe changes in their natural environment, work with wood and tools, sort objects for a purpose, explore animals, plants, water, work with clay, listen and sing to music.

Language Development
We provide children with many opportunities to understand how reading and writing are useful before they are instruct- ed in letter names, sounds, etc. Language and literacy are developed through listening to and reading stories and poems, participating in dramatic play and other experiences requiring communication, talking informally with other children and adults, seeing print in use in the classroom and experimenting with writing, drawing and copying.

OUR PHILOSOPHY & PROCEDURES

Beansprouts is for Children
We believe in building self-esteem and child problem solving skills. Children learn best by doing. Children at Beansprouts spend their days playing and sharing in a caring atmosphere that stimulates their curiosity and builds on successful experiences. “Use your words” and “You have good ideas” are phrases commonly shared with our children.

Home Visits
As a way of getting to know one another at the start of a new school year, the teaching staff will go on home visits to each child’s home prior to the start of school, if possible. We encourage families to get together outside of the school environment and we host breakfasts in June for each incoming class. In addition, all of our full time 3’s and 4’s take a class visit to each classmate’s home during the course of the school year.

Family Pictures
We feel we are all part of one big family here at Beansprouts. We like to get to know each family personally. We start this process by asking each child to bring to school five or six family pictures at the start of the school year. We have a “family wall,” where pictures are displayed for all to see.

Conferences
Conferences will be held at least twice a year. The first conference in November will be a “getting acquainted” time and the last conference in May will be a “look back” at the year with an eye towards the future. Our teachers are available during the year if you have concerns or questions. Please feel free to contact them at any time. We believe that regular communication, whether in person, by phone or by letter, between you and your child’s teacher is vital in building mutual understanding.

Communication
Parents and children have a special relationship. At times, children will tell you things about themselves or their experiences at school that they have been unable or unwilling to discuss with us. If your child shares information with you that you feel could help us to be more effective, please share that information with us. If you have concerns, needs or suggestions please call either your child’s teacher or the Educational Director. A successful nursery school experience is based on the partnership of home and school. Teachers send home informational newsletters on a regular basis about events in the classroom. Please inform your child’s teacher by phone or note about events in your child’s daily life – a parent’s trip, a family illness, a special vacation, etc.

Birthdays
Birthdays are special events for children of all ages. We celebrate every child’s Birthday with a special Birthday Circle. Any refreshments brought from home should be simple and easy to serve, i.e., cupcakes, muffins, etc. Children decorate their own individual crown the morning of the Birthday Circle in honor of the birthday child.

Parents are asked to come in on a day chosen on/or near the child’s birthday and relate the story of how the child came into his/her family. The circle can include bringing baby pictures, clothing, favorite baby toys, etc.

AFTER SCHOOL, SUMMER DAY CAMP AND MINI CAMP PROGRAMS

Our After School Program is for grades Pre-K through 3rd (for children outside of our Nursery School Program). Our experienced staff walks the children to Beansprouts from local schools. Pre-K and Kindergarten children are met in their classrooms, 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders are met inside the school where their teachers dismiss them. Children who arrive by bus are met at local bus stops and walked to Beansprouts. After School Program hours are from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Beansprouts Summer Camp is an extension of our Nursery School Program and is open to the entire community (as space permits). Priority is given to children enrolled in our Nursery School Program. Our caring and qualified staff guides each camper with insight, skill and energy. Camp is open to children ages 2 through 8.

Holiday Coverage and Mini Camps
We provide special coverage during holidays and school closings. At our mini camp you will find caring, qualified staff that works year-round at Beansprouts.

These days will be filled with special activities and art projects. Nutritional snacks are provided. After school coverage will be provided until 6:00 p.m.

Mini Camps are offered during:
Winter Recess
Mid-Winter Recess
Spring Break

Holiday coverage is offered during many holidays.