The Nursery School was established in 1961 and is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Human Services. We have recieved a DHS Rating of 3 stars for every year this rating system has been in use. We are centrally located in Oak Ridge, TN.
Philosophy and goals for children
Experienced teachers provide a warm, loving, and secure environment for children to grow, with opportunities to:
–play freely and creatively within a defined, secure environment;
–function independently according to their maturity level;
–gain a sense of competence and responsibility for their own conduct;
–be challenged and experience small successes that build self-confidence;
–take pleasure and satisfaction in what they have experienced and accomplished;
–learn to communicate verbally their feelings and wishes;
–learn to identify and solve problems of group living;
–interact with peers and adults, and enlarge on their abilities to give and receive love;
–be respected as individuals and learn to respect themselves and others.
Philosophy and goals for parents
The Nursery School affirms the importance of the family and strives to assist parents by:
–creating an extended-family atmosphere;
–being able to listen and discuss concerns and questions about parenting;
–offering support, understanding, and friendship;
–encouraging understanding, enjoyment, and acceptance of their child as a unique individual;
–sharing observations of the child’s development and behavior at school;
–being available for spontaneous and scheduled conferences;
–welcoming parent’s participation and sharing of their talents in the program;
–discussing classroom observations of the child concerning school readiness.
Program and facilities:
Teachers select daily activities such as:
–varied art media and activities for creative expression;
–manipulatives for small motor and cognitive development;
–role-playing equipment/activities;
–opportunities for discovery and experiencing science and nature; music and movement activities;
–reading, telling stories and group discussions.
Teachers arrange the room for a variety of activities such as:
–large and small wooden block-building areas;
–child-sized kitchen for water and family living play,
–dress-up clothes and dolls;
–reading corner and puzzle area;
–easel for painting;
–small tables for working with manipulatives.
A music class period each week gives the children an opportunity to:
–use their voices and bodies musically;
–find enjoyment and satisfaction in music;
–learn to sing a variety of songs;
–play rhythm instruments.
Outdoor play areas include:
–fenced play yard with swings, slide, sandbox, and climbing equipment;
–paved area for riding toys;
–hill for running, rolling, and “flying;”
–woods for exploring, discovery, and pretend play.
Indoor active play areas include:
–hall and classroom used for active play;
–bouncing horses and indoor riding toys;
–balance beam, bouncer, and tunnel;
–imaginative play areas
Snack:
– Children take turns bringing a nutritious snack to share with their class.
– Nursery School provides peanut butter, crackers, and 100% juice.
Family activities:
–fall orientation meeting for parents;
–morning coffees for parents;
–Christmas sing and party;
–Spring Sing, Week of the Young Child;
–pot-luck picnic;
–end-of-the-year “brown bag” picnics
Place Categories: Child Care, Parent's Day Out, and Preschool.
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