Nursery School Open Houses 2011

While September may seem far away, planning for the new school year is already under way. The kindergarten registration process is starting and Verona’s kindergarten workshops will begin in February.

Nursery schools in town are no exception. January and February are earmarked for open houses and submissions for new applications.

This time last year I visited Verona’s nursery schools, interviewed the directors of the schools and observed classes. This year, I will not visit each school but am listing below each school, their open house dates and any changes since last year. Check with each school on tuition or schedules changes since last year as that is an expected change from year to year.

The Children’s House, located behind the Methodist Church, was to have held its open houses this morning at 9:15 a.m. and on January 13 at 7 p.m. This morning’s open house has been canceled and we’re awaiting word on what the new schedule will be. If you are unable to make any of the open houses, you can call the school at (973) 857-1234 to schedule a tour. Changes of note to the school are the ongoing Kindergarten Enrichment program and a newly implemented nut-free policy. You can read more about my observations of the school from last year here.

Our Lady of the Lake will be hosting open houses on January 23 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and on January 31 and February 1 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. If you have any questions, or wish to reserve a spot, please call the school at (973) 239-1160. You can read more about my observations of the school from last year here.

Weekday Nursery School, located in the First Presbyterian Church building, will be hosting an open house on January 26 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Parents are welcome to come with their children. Weekday has made some schedule changes since last year. The classes run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Also, they now offer both 3- and 4-year-old classes every day and parents have the option of choosing which and how many days a week to send their child. For staffing purposes, this must remain the same for the entire school year, but days can be added as the school year progresses. With these changes come tuition changes, so be sure to ask about those during your tour. To sign up or if you have any questions, please call the school at (973) 857-9504. You can read more about my observations of the school from last year here.

The Laning Avenue preschool, open to all Verona residents and part of the Laning Avenue public elementary school, has its open house scheduled for January 28 at 10 a.m and 1 p.m .  If you have any questions, please call the school’s principal, Frank Albano, at (973) 571-6755 or Elizabeth Skinner, Verona’s director of special services, at (973) 571-2029. You can read more about my observations of the school from last year here.

Community Montessori Academy, located behind Calvary Lutheran Church, does not have any scheduled open houses, but welcomes any parents and their children to take a tour when both teachers and children can be seen in action.  Please call (973) 239-3999 to schedule your visit. Should you decide to apply following the tour, the application fee includes an interview with your child to see where the best fit would be at the school. Read more about my observations of the school from last year here.

Creative Beginnings, located on the ground level of the Church of the Holy Spirit building, will not be holding an open house this year, but welcomes and encourages tours of the school especially if you have a 2 ½ year old who will be starting in the fall, as that is where most of their openings are. Call the school at (973) 239-2242 to set up an appointment. You can read more about my observations of the school from last year here.

Robin’s Nest Two, located behind the First Congregational Church, does not have any scheduled open houses, but welcomes individual tours of the school. The enrollment is open year-round, so there is no application deadline for next year. A change to the school this year is the expansion of their facility to an additional room, which is slated to be ready for use within the next month or so. If you would like to take a tour of the school, call (973) 239-3902 to schedule it. You can read more about my observations of the school from last year here.