The Colts Neck Reformed Church Nursery School was founded in 1970 and is a New Jersey licensed, non-profit, cooperative school committed to Christian values. We are also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  Children of all faiths and races are welcome. Our aim is to nurture self-confidence, and to guide the child in the joy of discovery and learning. The daily schedule is flexible and programs are developed to provide different opportunities for socialization and independence based on the children's ages and more importantly, their developmental stages.

Historically we have utilized parents in the classroom as helpers. With the changes in society, this is not possible for all families. To accommodate the community, the nursery school provides two options – a cooperative option and a non-cooperative option.

• Cooperative option means that a parent (or designated helper) is available to assist in the classroom. The helpers assist the teacher in the running of the class for the day and are also responsible for providing juice and snack on the helper days. The teacher will assign helper days on a rotating basis (once a month for 4 year old classes; once every 6 weeks for 3 year old classes.)

• Non-cooperative option means that the Director will schedule a teacher assistant (employed by the school) to assist in the classroom. The parent will still be responsible for providing juice and snack for the class. These days will also be on a rotating basis (once a month for 4 year old classes; once every 6 weeks for 3 year old classes.)

Personal references are required on all parents regardless of the option they choose.

Your child is important to us and the director and teachers make every attempt to be available to the parents to discuss your child's progress. A conference is held in the beginning of September to familiarize the child and parent with the teacher and the physical layout of the school. Conferences are held in January to discuss your child's progress.

Classes and Eligibility

• Playgroup: A playgroup was added to the nursery school program in February 1992. It is for the younger child. The class meets either one or two days per week for 1-½ hours. There is a maximum of ten children in the class with a teacher and at least two assistants. The children do not have to be toilet-trained, but they do have to be able to separate from the parent/caregiver. Playgroup provides opportunities for supervised play, simple songs, easel painting, story telling and story reading.

• 3-year-old children: We offer a two-day a week and a three-day a week program for children who are three years old on or before October 1st of the current school year. The child must be toilet trained and developmentally ready for our classroom experience. At this age we encourage cooperative play, sharing and self-control. There is free play as well as study of colors, shapes, name recognition, seasonal and holiday activities and units of study about staying healthy, metamorphous and the farm.

• 4-year-old children: We offer a three-day a week and a four-day a week program for children who are four years old on or before October 1st of the current school year, or be eligible for enrollment in their school district's kindergarten the following year. The program builds on the knowledge that the children have learned as 3's. Patterning, sequencing, directionality, concrete counting, visual discrimination and fine motor activities will be added to the curriculum. The alphabet is introduced including phonetic sounds, and the 4's do unit study of dental health, emergency services and safety, reptiles, insects, and disabilities. Seasonal and holiday celebrations are also included.

• Requirements: Complete application, physical examination including immunization record, parent references, and emergency contact information. 
  
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• Open House is held the beginning of February each year with applications for admission available the following week.  Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis.

• Preschool/Kindergarten Summer Program: The nursery school also offers an early childhood summer program designed to provide fun-filled mornings with supervised outside play, crafts and games. Snacks are provided. Children must be at least three years old and have attended one year of nursery school, and less than seven years old. The program meets Monday through Thursday from 9:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the month of July. A certified teacher and teenage assistants supervise the children. Applications are available from the nursery school beginning in May.

• Staff: Our combined staff education and certification includes: Bachelor's degrees in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Music Education, Art Education and Psychology. We are CPR and First Aid Certified and have Epi-pen training.

Need More Information?
Register now for the 2008-2009 school year.  Applications are available online. If you have further questions or need more information, please call the nursery school office at 732-462-4662 or email cnrcns@verizon.net

Copyright 2001 - 2008 by Colts Neck Reformed Church. All rights reserved.