About Us - A Whole Child Approach

Village Nursery School (VNS) educates children intellectually, creatively, socially, emotionally, and physically. The foundation of our program is a rich classroom experience which provides an educational environment dedicated to integrating, building upon, and valuing the differing needs and unique qualities of all students. The school follows a developmental model of education, to provide a nurturing child-centered environment that supports each child’s learning style and developmental readiness. Most importantly, VNS promotes the joy and happiness that young children need and deserve in their first school experience.

We offer programs for PreSchool, Kindergarten and extended day sessions. In addition, VNS offers a variety of afternoon enrichment programs such as Art, Science & Nature and French. Ages for enrollment are 2.9 years old through kindergarten. Our school enrolls approximately 100 students during the calendar year. Students come from many of the neighboring communities.

Low student-teacher ratios make it possible for our teachers to focus on each child’s unique learning style and special talents. We encourage every youngster to develop at his or her own pace, nurturing them with activities and lessons that emphasize fun and creativity. Our qualified staff includes teachers with credentials and experience rarely seen in the preschool environment. The school's current director, Jane Venditti, has led the school since 1987. Ms. Venditti and her teaching staff have a strong background in early childhood education. Many have been with VNS for five, 10, or even 15 years. Our close-knit faculty enhances the school’s overall ability to serve young students, promoting a sense of community and caring.

VNS provides a bright and happy space in which children can grow and learn. We designed our current facility with young children in mind … large, sunny rooms with plenty of storage space, a parents’ room, and a safe, well-equipped playground. Although our building is new, our history spans nearly 50 years. The Village Nursery School was founded in 1953 in response to the local need for a non-sectarian nursery school. It is the oldest continuously operating preschool in Harvard.

Parents play an important role. We encourage but do not require strong parental involvement and provide numerous opportunities for parents to volunteer their time or talents to make VNS an even better place for young students to grow and mature.

VNS is a non-profit, non-denominational preschool and kindergarten that does not discriminate in providing services to children and their families or in its employment policies on the basis of race, religion, cultural heritage, political beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability.

Philosophy

The primary goal of the Village Nursery School and Kindergarten is to provide a developmentally appropriate preschool and kindergarten education that is a healthy and happy experience. We recognize each child as an individual and foster an environment in which everyone has the opportunity to develop at his or her own rate emotionally, socially, physically, and intellectually.

While maintaining a secure atmosphere that is relaxed, supportive and responsive to the fundamental needs and differences of each child, our teachers challenge students to progress to new levels of maturity and learning. Whether working or playing independently, cooperatively with their peers, or in close interaction with he teaching staff, all children are encouraged to undertake new adventures and acquire a diverse repertoire of developmental skills and experiences.

The Village Nursery School offers small classes, each of which is supervised by either a head teacher and assistant teacher or a team of two co-teachers. The school employs a director, teachers, assistants, an when necessary consultants and advisors, who by prior education, training,experience, and interest in early childhood education can meet the the needs of the children and uphold the school's philosophy and goals.