Nursery and pre-schools in DarienCT

April 7th, 2009 by Karen Brewer
Categories: Schools
2 Comments »

There are 8 accredited, nursery schools in Darien CT. They are almost all small community or church based organizations who enjoy excellent reputations and longevity in town.

Parents select a school based largely on availability of space, word of mouth, church affiliation or convenience. Each school has its own philosophy but each is excellent in its way. I have had three children go to three separate nursery schools in Darien in town and I was never unhappy.

For those of you from New York City, the cost and availability of the various schools is the complete opposite of what you may have experienced in the city.There is NO CONNECTION between the attendance at any of these pre-schools and your childs acceptance at a local private institution.Anyway, the overwhelming majority of children in Darien attend the public schools which are among the best in the state.( see school reports).

The cost of preschool in Darien is a fraction of what it is in New York City. Typically the cost of a Darien nursery school runs between $3,500-$7,000 per school year depending on the program .(I guess finger paints and construction paper just costs a lot less here).

Below is a list of the schools, their programs, contact information and educational philosophy….

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF DARIEN NURSERY SCHOOL

14 Brookside Road,darien,CT,06820
Terry Manning Director, 203-655-3150
http://uccdarien.org/nursery/sch.htm

The First Congregational Church of Darien Nursery Schools’ goal is to provide each child with a meaningful experience favorable to the growth and development of each child.They create a friendly and social atmosphere where a child’s feelings of self respect are nurtured. The Church school offers 3 year old, 4 year old and preK curriculum’s and 3 or 5 day programs. Lunch Bunch is available for students wishing to extend their day past noon. Enrichment programs include a Numbers and Science program for the four year olds. A Letters and Literature program exposes students to the alphabet and letter sounds.My husband is a deacon at Congregational and we can personally attest to the caring staff at this school. A wonderful choice.

HOLLY POND SCHOOL

DarienYMCA, 2420 post Road,Darien,CT,06820
203-655-8228
http://www.darienymca.org.ourschool.html

This is not your grandmothers or even your mothers YMCA. This is a state of the art facility which has recently undergone a significant renovation.Facilities overlook and have access to Dariens Holly Pond which is a beautiful inlet from Long Island Sound.The schools affiliation with the “Y” allows opportunities for enrichment such as swimming and gymnastics. Dance,music,sports and swimming specialists are all part of the staff here. Holly Pond School offers programs for 2,3, and 4 years olds. Lunch Bunch is available from 11:45AM to 1PM. Admission is determined through a lottery system and fees range from $3,600 for a 2 day, 2year old program to $4900 for a five day Pre-K program The school has some funds for those who are unable to pay.

My own children attended summer camp here and had the time of their lives. I also have a number of clients whose children attend this school and the flexibility and range of programs has something for everyone. The staff is great.

FIRST METHODIST FAMILY CENTER PRESCHOOL, 345 MIDDLESEX ROAD,DARIEN,ct 203-655-1469,www.umcdarien.org, Director Laurie Anderson,203-655-7407 or mfcppreschool@aol.com.

The Methodist Family center Preschool is a private school and separately incorporated, wholly owned ,subsidiary of the Darien Methodist Church. A school board of directors supervises the activities. The school offers a low child to teacher ratio, bright and clean classromms, beautiful fgrounds for exploration and a really cool climbing structure for 2-5 year olds. There is a music specialist on staff and guests inl;ude puppeteers,science and animal specialists and musicians. A chapel is available as well as is an extended day program. There are Toddler programs as well as the requisite 3,4 and Pre-K programs in both the morning and afternoon. Summer camp is offered as well.

NOROTON PRESBYTERIAN NURSERY SCHOOL,2011 Post Road,Darien,CT 203-655-3223.,www.norotonchurch.org/NPNS/npns

This school has been educating Darien’s preschoolers since 1957. The school provides a “loving ,supporting Christian environment in which children grown and learn”. Noroton Presbyterian believes that play is “the work of children.” They offer a traditional curriculum overlaid with the highly regarded Reggio Emilio approach.This approach encourages children to learn through direct experience. Enrichment at the school includes music, foreign language,performing arts .The school offers ,Tot drop, Summer camp as well as 2,3 4yr old and pre K programs. Preference is given to church members. Ive had occasion to visit the school myself and it is a place that just feels happy to me. A good sign, and as I said, people have been bringing their children both to the church and its school for generations.

ST LUKES PARISH SCHOOL, 1864 Post road,Darien,CT 06820,203-655-4067,www.stlukesdarien.org/parishschool. or susan.martin@stlukesdarien.org

St Lukes Parish is known for its incredible program “Person to Person”which helps the homeless throughout Fairifeld County. It is an extraordinary program which deserves a blog post of its own. The parish school is lovely with programs that offer two,three and four day programs.Their goal is create a bridge between the child’s home and the wider world.All children except for the two year olds attend a weekly chapel service. There are regularly scheduled enrichment programs including music, and creative storytelling.

ST THOMAS MORE HAPPINESS SCHOOL. Middlesex Road,Darien,Ct. (203)258-1721 (Preschool office),www.stmaustin.org

Two of my children attended this Darien nursey school and I have personally known several of the teachers. Set on the grounds of St Thomas More Church on Middlesex Road, the school is aptly named. Programs for 2,3 and 4 year olds are available. The atmoshphere here is positive and fun. Admissions preference is given to parishoners. The Director is Eileen Hatfield and she can be contacted at eileen@sttmaustin.org. Prices are similar to other programs in town. Contact Eileen for details.

PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

DARIEN NATURE CENTER,120 Brookside Road,Darien,CT, 203-655-74 , www.dariennaturecenter.org/preschool.htm

The Darien Nature Center is not a nursery school but instead offers after-school and pre-school programs. For toddlers there is Nature Time for Twos which is offered on Wednesday or Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30AM. The program features nature walks, animal stories and meet the animals time. Cost is $600/semester.

The second program is Knee-Hi to nature which is offered on Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday or Thursday from 9:45-10:45 or 11:00-12:00. Its goals are similar to Nature Time for Twos.The Winter session is $275 and winter/spring is $400-425.

Natures Playroom is for children ages 3,4,and 5. Preschoolers explore the wonders of trails,fields and the pond at Cherry Lawn Park in Darien.Animal visits,nature arts and crafts,stories and nature songs are part of the program.Lunch Bunch is available for the morning sessions.

Sessions are weekdays from 9:30-11:45 and Tuesday Thursday afternoons from 12:30 to 2:45.

Cost is approximately $450 for the Winter program and Winter/Spring is $502-$629 depending on the day.Membership at the Darien Nature Center is $70 annually and is mandatory for all preschool programs.The Nature Center also has an extensive “school vacation ” program for children of all ages. Details are available on the website.Any of these programs stand well on their own or as a complement to nnursery school and are highly regarded by residents.

ST JOHN ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SCHOOL, 1986 Post Road,Darien,CT 06820,203-655-1145, www.stiohnsdarien.com, Director, Lisa Ioli. 203-655-0548

The St John mission statement is to have the children of its preschool to grow, spiritually,socially,emotionally, academically and physically in a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere in which they promote a love of God and each other.

There are programs for 3 and 4 year olds and you may select 2,3 or 5 day programs.Three year olds may attend on Thursday and Fridays or Monday through Wednesday and 4 year old children have the option of Monday-Wednesday or Monday through Friday. Hours are 9:45- 11:45. The student teacher ratio at St John is 10 students per teacher. The curriculum at this Darien pre school program includes Music and Movement, reading readiness and Religious Education.Extended day programs are available on Tuesdays,Wednesdays and Thursdays depending on the program in which the child is enrolled.There is a $50 application fee and admission preference is given to currently enrolled children,their siblings and parishioners.

DARIEN YWCA,49 Old Kings Highway,Darien,CT, (203) 655-2535, email:ywca.darien@sbcglobal.net

TheYWCA does not run a nursery school but instead has preschool programs much like the nature center does.

The Darien YW ,as it is known locally, offers Toddler Time (Sept-May) and Toddler Time Summer Fun .Both programs require YWCA membership of $105 and offers children a two hour program of fun arts and crafts, outdoor time and snack.

All of the above programs have been around for years and it may simply be a matter of convenience as to which one is right for you. There are open houses offered at all the schools so you can get a good look and feel for each place but they are only happy,happier, or happiest!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 at 9:31 am and is filed under Schools. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Lauren said at August 6th, 2009 at 11:54 am
What about Our Gang nursery school on East Lane? Do you have any information on this one? Thanks!
Karen Brewer said at August 6th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
I thought I mentioned it in the post. If not I will although I dont know much about it so I cant recommend it personally. I know it is centrally located off of I95…..that it has bee there forever and the kids sound happy.I had a listing last year in Darien right behind it and there are fun pictures painted on the building and the kids seemend to be having fun outside.Karen

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