The Rhinelander Nursery School

Our Nursery School application deadline for the 2010-2011 academic year is October 30, 2009. Due to the high volume of inquiries, applications can no longer be downloaded from our web site. However, if you would like to request an application, please call 212-876-0500, ext. 209. Thank you.

 
Nursery School Overview
The Rhinelander Nursery School is a community of families and teachers who are committed to fostering an early love of learning and school. Our goal is to provide a strong academic and social foundation in order to promote school readiness, as well as instill sensitivity to, and friendship with, others. The curriculum emphasizes learning through play. Math and reading readiness, art, self-expression, an appreciation of nature and science, are all introduced gently through experiential and engaging activities. The classrooms, play areas and facilities are spacious, inviting and well-maintained. Two separate rooftop play areas offer private, outdoor play space. The Nursery School enrolls approximately 75 children ages 2.5 to 5 each year.

Educational Philosophy
At Rhinelander, the emphasis is on nurturing the needs of each child within a group setting. Our child-centered approach supports language and literacy development, social and emotional growth and creative thinking. We believe learning should be fun and employ a play-based, multi-sensory approach. Children develop their skills and senses differently — some need to "see it"; some need to "hear it"; others need to "try it". Our multi-faceted lesson plans address diverse learning styles.

A Typical School Day
A typical school day at Rhinelander includes greetings and welcome, group meeting time, free play, center-based play, meeting time, lesson time, snack, outdoor play, and stories and songs. Students in the extended morning Pre-K also bring lunch to school.

Regular weekly enrichment activities include music and movement, art and Spanish. The emphasis in music and movement is on introducing children to different instruments and developing a love of music through song, dance, and games. Children are engaged in art almost every day at Rhinelander, however, an art specialist also visits each classroom weekly for special projects. Recently, Rhinelander added Spanish lessons for all 3s and Pre-K students. Our Spanish specialist familiarizes students with some key vocabulary and introduces students to other elements of various Spanish speaking cultures including food, songs and traditional costumes.

Each Rhinelander Nursery School class visits the Center library weekly. Parents and other guests are invited to sign up to read to the class, selecting either their own favorite stories or choices that are linked to the curriculum. Children also have the opportunity to borrow a book each week to read at home.

To ensure that Nursery School graduates can meet the high academic standards of local public and private schools, Rhinelander’s Pre-K curriculum includes, Handwriting without Tears, a nationally acclaimed handwriting readiness program.

Teaching Staff and Teacher-Student Ratios
Each Nursery School class is led by an experienced, certified teacher, with a Master’s degree. Many of the Assistant Teachers have undergraduate degrees in education while others are pursuing their studies outside of work. All teachers have years of experience working in early childhood education. Each class at Rhinelander has one head teacher and two assistants with a typical ratio of one teacher for every 4-6 children.

Separation Process
Rhinelander’s flexible separation process is intended to foster a smooth transition to the educational setting. Each child’s response to the classroom is unique, and the teachers and administrators are experienced in assisting children and parents separate in a comfortable way. Separation includes an abbreviated schedule in the beginning of the school year and more time for a gradual transition for youngest students.

Classes and Schedule
The Nursery School currently includes five classes:
Afternoon 2-year-olds (ages 2.5 and up), three days per week
Morning 3-year-olds, five days per week
Afternoon 3-year-olds, four days per week
Extended morning Pre-K, five days per week
Afternoon Pre-K, four days per week

Morning classes can be combined with offerings in Rhinelander’s Early Childhood Program, for an extra fee, to form a longer school day. Afternoon Pre-K classes can also be combined with Early Childhood Program classes in the morning or the After School Arts and Smarts Clubs to extend the school day.

Parent / Family Participation
Rhinelander offers and encourages a variety of avenues for parental participation in the educational process, including membership in the Parent Association, involvement as class parents, participation in field trips, and volunteering at Center events. Family members are welcome to conduct class projects, read during library time, or just visit.

Special Events and Field Trips
Each year, there are a variety of special events and field trips to bring the community together and enrich the curriculum. Typical events include: apple picking or a trip to a farm; an ice cream social for families; a Book Fair and performances at the local Barnes & Noble; clothing or food drives; bake sales; a fundraiser and auction and an end-of-year family picnic.

Admissions
Applications for the upcoming school year are available through the end of October in the prior year. Admission decisions are made in early March. Depending on enrollment, we are sometimes able to maintain a wait list from April - August for select classes. Please contact the Nursery School office with inquiries.

Due to the high level of interest in our program, we are unfortunately unable to accept applications after the deadline.

Rhinelander Nursery School is an ISAAGNY member school and admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, and scholarship programs.

Rhinelander is dedicated to serving the diverse needs of our community and adheres to a need-blind admissions policy. Financial aid is available by application.

Ongoing Schools
Rhinelander Nursery School graduates attend both public and private schools. Recent choices include: P.S. 6, P.S. 151, P.S. 158, P.S. 290, Chapin, Hewitt, Hunter, Lower Lab, NEST+M, Riverdale Country School, Town, and Trevor Day.

Please feel free to contact Heidi Mosser, Nursery School Director, or Lauren Stelzer, Assistant Director/Admissions Director at (212) 876-0500 for more information about the Rhinelander Nursery School.