MISSION STATEMENT

Battery Park City Day Nursery accepts each child as an individual. Cultural differences and the uniqueness of each child are recognized and respected. Creative expression is encouraged through play and classroom activities. With commitment and affection, we develop a love for learning and the desire to become life long achievers. Our school is a safe, nurturing, compassionate, learning environment. Children, parents, and teachers are mutually respected and trusted. Our professional, dedicated teachers encourage each child to be confident of his/her abilities and sensitive to the needs of others. We provide a well-balanced, developmentally appropriate curriculum which encourages social growth. We value open communication with parents which helps reinforce what is learned at home and in school.

SCHOOL HISTORY

In 1986, Joy McCormack, a New York City educator from the Upper East Side, founded the Nursery in the newly created Battery Park City. Starting with four classrooms, dedicated teachers, and a great deal of hope, Joy dreamed of providing a quality nursery program to the financial district. Later, she added one more classroom and increased the number of teachers to match the growing enrollment.

Ten years later Joy decided to retire to Florida and started looking for someone who would carry on her dream. Karen Klomp and Denise Cordivano, preschool directors from Pennsylvania, entered the picture. They agreed to keep the teachers and maintain the individual attention that the program was known for. The focus on each family's situation is still a priority. More than half the teachers have stayed longer than five years to provide a continuity which parents appreciate. Alumni and families who moved away often visit us.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Battery Park City Day Nursery is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Morning Program is from 8:00 a.m. to Noon. The Afternoon Program is from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Children may enroll for two, three, four or five days per week. The academic year begins in September and continues through the end of June. The summer session is during July and August. The Nursery observes national holidays and teacher inservice days, and is closed for weeklong vacations during the months of December, July, and August.

ENVIRONMENT

Battery Park City is a safe, picturesque neighborhood with child-friendly parks, playgrounds, and walkways. Our enrollment is a reflection of the ethnic and cultural diversity present in the neighborhood. Experienced teachers help children whose first language is not English, feel comfortable and thrive.

Although most families walk to the Nursery, approximately 25% travel into Battery Park City from other parts of the City and New Jersey. Similar aged children are grouped together. Depending on their age, there are ten, fifteen or twenty children with three teachers in each room.

The Nursery has five, bright, sunny classrooms all located on the ground floor. A private, enclosed backyard is equipped with climbing toys, tricycles, and a playhouse.

FACULTY

Our teachers, experts in early childhood development and education, observe and evaluate each child's learning style, behavior, progress, and adjustment to school. Through encouragement, they help each child develop his/her own pattern of interests and talents. This observation process allows the staff to present each child with a learning experience when he/she is developmentally best able to meet with success. Teachers are available to share information about your child's day. Formal conferences are scheduled twice each year to review your child's progress.

Preschool Lead Teachers are certified by New York State and hold either a BA or MA in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. Lead Teachers of toddler groups hold either an AA or BA in Early Childhood studies. Minimum requirement for an Assistant Teacher is a High School Diploma plus experience with children. Some of our assistants hold degrees in early childhood education or related fields. All teachers are encouraged to attend seminars to update and further their knowledge. When you visit the school, we will be happy to discuss specific teachers' backgrounds with you.

All employees meet requirements set forth by the New York City Department of Health. Screenings include verification of credentials and references, fingerprinting, review and inquiry by the State Central Registry and clearance from the New York State Social Service Department in Albany.

PARENT PARTICIPATION

The Parent Committee at Battery Park City Day Nursery will put your volunteer talents to good use. The Committee meets monthly and provides free babysitting, so we hope you will be a regular. In the fall, parents can meet each other at the Annual Cocktail Party while the children have fun at their own Pizza Party. In the spring, we celebrate the year's culmination with a Family Barbecue in our backyard. A horse-drawn hay wagon and carnival games add to the festive afternoon. Monthly "Discussion Nights" provide a forum for parenting questions such as discipline, eating habits, competition, and reading with your child.

Teachers appreciate your help planning family events, traveling on school trips, and sharing your family traditions with the class. Communication between parents and the school is essential. Posted notices keep you informed of daily activities.

WHERE OUR GRADUATES GO

Children are well prepared for kindergarten when they graduate from the Nursery. Some will read, some will print, and others will express themselves artistically. Although each child will have strengths and weaknesses, each will perform at a developmentally appropriate level.

Children are accepted into various public, gifted, and independent on-going schools in New York City and New Jersey. Battery Park City Day Nursery is a member of The Parent's League of New York City. We work closely with Early Steps and the Independent School Admissions Association of Greater New York to place children into appropriate programs. Over the past five years, children have been accepted at the following schools:

Abraham Lincoln School	Bank Street School for Children
Brearley School	Brooklyn Friends School
Calhoun School	Cathedral School
Chapin School	Convent of the Sacred Heart
Corlears School	Dalton School
Epiphany School	Friends Seminary
Grace Church School	Hewitt School
Hunter College Elementary School	Little Red School House
Marymount School of New York	NYC Lab School
Our Lady of Grace	Packer Collegiate
PS 89	PS 234
Princeton Day School	Ramaz Lower School
Rudolf Steiner School	Saint Ann's School
Saint David's School	Saint Luke's School
Solomon Schechter School	Spence School
Steven's Cooperative School	Trinity School
Tribeca Learning Center (a.k.a. ECC)	United Nations International School
Village Community School

Children have also gone on to attend schools in Hong Kong, Italy, London, and Japan.