Our preschool program offers hands-on learning in our indoor & outdoor classrooms
A preschool program for children ages 3–5
We place an emphasis on the arts and creative expression, while nurturing a connection with our local and global communities. Age-appropriate academics are taught within each project and during a designated period of the day for our Pre-K aged children.
Our program is available for children ages three to five years old** and runs from September until June.
We offer both a full-time and part-time full-day program in one
multi-age classroom.
The regular school day is from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Both full-time and part-time programs include a morning and afternoon snack, lunchtime, and rest. We provide both snacks, while families are asked to provide a nut-free lunch.
We welcome new families all year long as long as we have space, and it is at a time that sets your child up for success! If the timing feels right for you, just reach out to us, and together we will come up with a plan that makes sense for the best time for your child to start — no need to wait for a new school year to begin!
** Children must already be 3 years old in order to enroll in our program unless they are entering between September and December 1st and they will have turned 3 no later than December 1st, of that same school year.
Full-Time Program
Five-day, full-day program
Monday through Friday
++Part-Time Program
Three-day, full-day program Monday, Wednesday, Friday
—OR—
Two-day, full-day program
Tuesday and Thursday
++Offered with limited availability
Our curriculum fosters curiosity, confidence and connection
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Each group of children has its own unique dynamic and purpose. The curriculum at Nyack’s Little House of Explorers honors the passions and pursuits of each cohort. Classroom investigations are tailored to the inquiries of the children it serves. Long-term projects are developed as a way for children to think deeply about concepts and derive meaning from learning in a group setting.
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At school, our young learners are discovering who they are in a group setting. Our goal is to nurture the social and emotional world of each child with a focus on the development of independence skills, a healthy self-image, and confidence in trying new things. Children are encouraged to identify and discuss emotions, and make choices that support their autonomy. Teamwork and kindness are the cornerstone of our curriculum, and we support children as they learn to problem solve together.
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Learning is a process that takes place in all spaces. It happens wherever the child leads. In our outdoor classroom, the children have access to a safe and beautiful property that encourages imagination and a respect for nature. The children spend an abundance of their day participating in structured activities designed for the outdoors, as well as free play periods perfect for exploring. The elements of our daily schedule are flexible and activities such as Morning Meeting, Storytime, Art, and Music are held both indoors and outdoors.
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At Nyack’s Little House of Explorers, artistic expression is valued. It is a way for children to represent their knowledge of the world and make their ideas visible. Daily, the children are offered a variety of artistic mediums to explore and use for purposeful project work. In addition, Music & Movement take place each morning. A Drama curriculum is incorporated throughout the year with opportunities for the children to act out their own stories and reimagine classic fairy tales.
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A classroom should be a safe place for children to learn about who they are and the world they live in. At our school, we celebrate the remarkable identity of each child. Families are included in this process, and are invited to share their culture, language, talents, traditions, food, and stories with our children. We acknowledge and celebrate the diversity in our community and the world beyond. Community service projects are woven into our curriculum as a way to teach empathy and to demonstrate to each child that his or her actions can have a positive impact on the world.
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As early childhood educators, we are providing children with their first school experience. That experience should be full of wonder and discovery. It should also prepare them for the next steps in their lifelong journey of learning. At Nyack’s Little House of Explorers, we take this task seriously. Throughout the school year, children are exposed to the academic concepts they will need to find success in future classrooms. A structured handwriting and literacy curriculum is offered to the children who will be attending kindergarten the following year. Children will learn to recognize and write letters of the alphabet and play with language as they develop their phonemic and phonological awareness. In addition, math units are taught throughout the year to help students recognize and write numbers, and develop their number sense. Our goal is to expose children to age-appropriate concepts that will help to build a solid foundation for future learning.
