Shadyside Presbyterian Church

Shadyside Presbyterian Church Nursery School

About the Nursery School

The Shadyside Presbyterian Church Nursery School was founded in 1951 to provide a stimulating environment in which children can achieve their potential for social, intellectual, creative, emotional, moral, and physical development. The nursery school takes pride in its long tradition of providing a safe, nurturing environment in which our children are encouraged to learn and grow. We believe each child is unique and special.

The Shadyside Presbyterian Church Nursery School has 50 years of experience with pre-school children and is aAccredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs.

For additional information contact Mary Lang, Director, 412-681-6311, or mlangspcns@aol.com

Classes

There are classes for 2, 3, 4, and 5-year-olds, which meet from 9 a.m. until 12 noon 2, 3, or 5 days each week.

3, 4 and 5-year-old children must be toilet-trained before entering school.

Teachers: Each class has a qualified teacher and assistant, providing a student/teacher ratio of 1 teacher for approximately 7 children. The teacher/student ratio in the 2-year-old classes is 1/4. Our teachers are required to have a college degree with a strong background in early childhood development, and are certified in infant and child CPR. Our school is accredited by NAEYC.

Activities

Children develop motor, perceptual, and cognitive skills during creative play through hands-on experience. Creative play also provides time to nurture social skills such as sharing, and an opportunity for children to make their own decisions in selecting activities.

Daily music and creative movement activities develop children’s sense of rhythm, music, and self-control. In addition, each class meets weekly with the specially trained creative movement and music teachers.

Curriculum

Each class has a carefully designed developmentally appropriate curriculum, hands-on materials, and toys to enhance social, emotional, and cognitive development. Each day the children learn responsibility during clean-up time as they put away toys and art materials.

Snack-time offers the children a chance to relax and renew spent energy. It is also a time to enhance language development and math readiness as children and teachers talk about the day. Our snacks are mostly non-sweet, healthful foods.

Playground and outdoor play is part of the daily schedule. The playground and indoor large motor play areas provide the time and space for the children to master large motor skills and channel their energies.

Field trips are scheduled throughout the year to develop children’s awareness of the world around them.

Optional Programs

In addition to the regular program, Shadyside Presbyterian Church Nursery School offers programming designed to enhance the school experience for both the children and their parents.

Wonderful Wednesdays — This program is designed for children who will be attending kindergarten the following year. It stresses cognitive enrichment and school readiness skills. Wonderful Wednesdays are held from noon to 2:30 p.m. and are available to children who will attend Kindergarten the following year (note: not all children who are 4 by September 1 will go to Kindergarten the following year.) Enrollment is limited. Cost is $515 annually.

Lunch Bunch - Children may lunch with their friends in a supervised setting from noon to 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The availability of this program is based on student interest. Cost is $170 per day (annually).

Parent Programs

The Nursery School makes a constant effort to recognize and accommodate the needs and talents of our children and parents. Parent coffees are held on a variety of topics related to pre-schoolers. Each fall, a kindergarten meeting is held to aid parents in assessing kindergarten readiness and choices available in the community.

Parents are also encouraged to observe often and share their talents and interests with the children in the classrooms.

Faith

The Shadyside Presbyterian Church Nursery School, as a ministry of the Shadyside Presbyterian Church, provides children with a pattern for Christian living and exploration of the wonders of God.

Tuition

Age group

Class meets 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.

# of children in a group

Annual 2007-08 tuition,
including milk & supplies

Two-Year-Olds

Tuesday/Thursday   

12

$1,550

Two-Year-Olds

Monday/Wednesday

12

$1,550

Three-Year-Olds

Tuesday/Thursday    

15

$1,550

Three-Year-Olds

Monday/Wednesday/Friday

15

$2,130

Four-Year-Olds

Monday/Wednesday/Friday

15

$ 2,130

Four-Year-Olds

Monday-Friday 

14

$3,160

Pre-K Five-Year-Olds Monday-Friday 14 $ 3,160

 

Special Programs  

Price
Lunch Bunch (Three- and Four-Year-Olds)     $170
Wonderful Wednesday (Four-Year-Olds)    $515

 

Tuition is billed twice per school year and must be paid in advance for each semester.  If a child has been accepted to SPCNS and found to be unready for preschool, tuition will be refunded.  If a child must be withdrawn for another reason during the school year, parents will be charged for half a semester or a whole semester depending on the date of withdrawal.  An application must be sent each school year with a $25 application fee.  Upon acceptance a non-refundable $100 deposit is required to reserve a student's space for the following school year.  Parents do not need to reapply or to send an additional application fee for the second semester.  SPCNS will provide a copy of its bylaws to any parent who requests a copy.

Application

Download the Shadyside Presbyterian Church Nursery School application.