The Williamsburg Neighborhood Nursery School was founded on the belief that a good early childhood program should provide children and their families with a bridge between the worlds of home and school. The nursery school environment must be both structured and nurturing; it must combine the safety and comfort of home with the social and intellectual stimulation of school.Young children are explorers. They use all of their senses to investigate their world and the people within it. Classroom materials and programs are designed to encourage and enrich this exploration. Teachers act as guides, extending the children’s thinking, setting reasonable limits for their behavior, and helping them grow as independent learners.

Parents play a key role in the successful nursery school program. At WNNS parents are welcome visitors in the classroom throughout the school year and are expected to stay at school with their children during the initial separation process. Twice-yearly formal conferences as well as frequent informal conversations give parents and teachers a chance to share observations and insights about each child’s school experience and to set goals for the future.