SCHOOL INFORMATION
What ages do you serve?
We offer classes for three year olds (must be three by December 31) and Pre-K students (will begin Kindergarten the following year). Children must be able to use the bathroom independently, as we are not licensed to change diapers or pull-ups.
How Many Days Will My Child Attend?
Your child will attend school either three or four days a week depending on their age. Three year olds attend school three days a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Pre-K’s attend school four days a week: Monday through Thursday.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Large Group
|
Small Group
|
Large Group
|
Small Group
|
Small Group
|
What are your hours of operation?
School hours are 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Many families pack lunch or snacks and spend time at the playground and gazebo area after school has ended to continue socializing and fostering a sense of community.
How Many Children Are In The Classroom? How Many Teachers?
State law allows us to have 20 children with two adults. However, per school by-laws, we cap our student total at 18.
On “small group” days, there are typically 8-9 children with two adults (teacher and assistant teacher). On “large group days”, there are typically 16-18 children with three adults (teacher, assistant teacher, and helping parent)
Do You Have Certified Teachers?
Rocky Hill Cooperative Nursery School (RHCNS) has always employed fully certified teachers with a college degree for the role of Director and Head Teacher. Gerianne Linden, our current Director/Head Teacher, earned her BA in Early Childhood Education from Rowan University. She has been a teacher for over 40 years, in both public and private schools and in special education. Mrs. Linden began teaching at RHCNS in 2000 and has been the Director since 2007. She is a member of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and continues to actively pursue professional development.
Vinu Gopalakrishnan (Mrs. G.), our Assistant Teacher, has a Masters in Commerce and worked as a substitute teacher at RHCNS before becoming our Assistant Teacher in 2009. All of our current teachers are former RHCNS parents.
How Much Does It Cost?
For 2024-25, tuition is $4,600 for the 3-day program and $5,800 for the 4-day program.
If My Child Starts The Three Year Old Program Before Their Third Birthday, Can S/He Start The Pre-K Program The Following Year?
While we accept children who turn three before December 31, children whose birthday falls after October first will attend the three-day program again the following year, giving them a change to be a leader and more confident as one of the oldest children in the class. The Pre-K program is designed for students who will begin Kindergarten the following year.
STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND CURRICULUM
What Is Your Approach To Academics And Early Childhood Learning?
Our children learn through a rich, child-centered environment. Mrs. Linden does not take an elementary curriculum and water it down, but rather takes fun, rich ideas and builds them up for preschoolers. Children are exposed to letters and numbers through hands on activities such as scavenger hunts and creative projects.
Our children learn and grow with developmentally appropriate activities that meet their needs. Whatever topic we’re exploring, NJ State Preschool Standards are addressed.
Since reading is a developmental skill (like crawling and walking), our teachers understand that every child learns to read at a different rate. Our goal is to encourage children’s growth and development through hands-on experiences, and to help them find joy in learning. We encourage creative and independent thinking.
“Great success” is not measurable, each parent may have different definitions.
While we follow state guidelines for pre-school and incorporate some commercial curricula such as Handwriting Without Tears, our curriculum is also highly adaptable based on students’ interests. Nature, science and outside exploration are an important component of our curriculum and parents are encouraged to share their talents.
For example:
- When our teachers observed students’ interest in George Washington, they expanded on that and began a unit on the Colonial period, which included a field trip to Rockingham, George Washington’s Headquarters.
- When one of our parents was a veterinarian, she set up an animal clinic in the classroom where each student cared for a special “pet” of their own!
- When one of our parents was a pilot, he created an airplane in the classroom where students learned about different aircraft and “flew” a plane! When one family lived near a pond, we learned about frogs and visited the pond to see if we could catch (and release) frogs!
How Are Music And Art Incorporated?
Both music and art are incorporated into our school every day! We are a licensed provider of the Music Together Preschool program. A Music Together teacher comes to RHCNS weekly for interactive music and movement. Additionally, music is often played quietly in the background during routine daily activities and musical instruments are always available to children.
We place a strong emphasis on process art, which allows children to express themselves using different media. We encourage children to think for themselves, to create what’s important to them. In addition to other art supplies, our paints and easels are out daily, and the children truly enjoy the process of creating, painting, mixing colors, and occasionally painting themselves!
Will My Child Get Messy?
Yes! We recommend that children dress in weather-appropriate, washable clothes. Children have access to paints and other kind of messy play and typically go outside daily, even if it’s muddy.
Do You Go Outside?
Yes, we go outside every day, unless it’s extremely cold or pouring rain. We encourage students to have weather-appropriate clothing such as snow and rain pants and boots.
We are fortunate to be located close to open fields and walking paths that lead to a stream adjacent to the Delaware and Raritan Canal. When the weather is nice, teachers and students venture out to explore the beautiful, natural surroundings right outside our school.
Do You Go On Field Trips?
Absolutely! We aim to go on field trips often. At RHCNS, we are lucky to be located in the small community of Rocky Hill, NJ. We are welcomed by our local Post Office, Library, Fire Department and Rescue Squad, which are all within walking distance. Our larger community includes orchards, farms, George Washington’s Headquarters, and Princeton University, all just a short drive away.
Field trips should be relevant to a child’s life, and provide meaningful experiences that can be carried over to the classroom. For example, after we go apple picking at Terhune Orchards, the children can “sell” apples at a “farm stand” in the classroom, and we cook the apples we picked! After our trip to a farm to see the farm animals, go on a hayride, and pick pumpkins, students then create a “farm” in the classroom!
How Do I Communicate With The Teachers About My Child’s Progress?
There is an high level of parent – teacher communication at Rocky Hill Cooperative Nursery School. In addition to two official Parent – Teacher meetings per year, the teachers send frequent emails and photos to parents updating them on the classroom themes and developments. Further, the Director/Head Teacher is always available to speak with parents about their child’s individual progress.
What Is The Classroom Schedule?
Times are adjusted according to the needs of the children. In September, the children need plenty of time to play and adjust to the new routine. Adjusting the schedule mid-year creates new social dynamics and enhances interactions!
Below is an approximate classroom schedule:
| At the beginning of the school year: | |
|---|---|
| 9:30 | Arrival and Children’s Choice – children choose from any activity in the room. |
| 10:30 | Circle* (Morning Meeting) Initially, this is very brief, and more activities will be added as their attention span increases. Includes calendar, show and tell and introduction of the concept of the day. |
| 10:45 | Bathroom and Snack |
| 11:00 | Small group instruction/continued children’s choice. |
| 11:45 | Music and Movement |
| 12:00 | Outside |
| 12:30 | Dismissal |
| Mid-year (January) | |
|---|---|
| 9:30 | Arrival and Children’s Choice – children choose from any activity in the room. |
| 9:45 | Circle* (Morning Meeting) Includes stories, large group instruction, group learning games, music and movement. |
| 10:15 | Bathroom and Snack |
| 10:45 | Children’s Choice |
| 11:45 | Music and Movement |
| 12:00 | Outside |
| 12:30 | Dismissal |
* Everyday we sing “Shake Your Sillies Out,” where children jump, hop, and cross midline (the ability to move one hand, foot, or eye into the space of the other hand, foot, or eye) every day. These are important gross motor skills for learning! Three year olds typically master hopping by the end of the year.
What Is Your Discipline Policy?
We have a formal written discipline policy, which is provided in writing upon enrollment. In summary, a teacher will go and talk quietly to a child. If the behavior persists, the child may be asked to sit on the side with a teacher for a brief period of time.
Conflict resolution skills for children are guided on a daily basis. Each child tells the other what they perceive the problem is and they discuss how to solve it, with an adult guiding the interaction.
PARENT EXPERIENCE AND CO-OP INFORMATION
What Does Being A “Co-Op” School Mean?
The school is run and operated by the parents. Parents actively participate in the classroom (as helping parent) and in the operation of the school.
What Are My Responsibilities As A Parent?
Your family will have scheduled “Helping Parent” days during the school year (see next paragraph). Parents are also assigned to two committees (see below) and must attend two mandatory Parent Meetings and two Clean Up Days per year. Parents can also volunteer to serve on our Parent Board.
HELPING PARENT
You will have the opportunity to serve as a “Helping Parent” in the classroom approximately six times a year. On these special days, you support the teachers and assist in cleaning the classroom at the end of the day. Most importantly, you participate in your child’s learning experience, getting to know your child’s classmates and teachers and seeing your child first-hand in the classroom setting. The children are thrilled to be “Helping Child” that day. They are proud to bring their parent and a show-and-tell item to school! Schedules are set to accommodate parents’ needs.
COMMITTEES
The operations of the school are separated into committees, each family is typically assigned to two. We try to accommodate parents committee preferences. Examples of the committees families serve on include:
- Advertising/Open House
- Class Parent
- Field Trips
- Parent Engagement and Education
- Yearbook
- Website
BOARD
A governing board of parent volunteers consisting of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Registrar manages RHCNS in coordination with the Director. Participating on the Board is a great way to get further involved in your child’s pre-school experience.
What If I Work Full-Time?
We have many families where both parents work full-time. Based on our flexible “Helping Parent” schedule, parents are often able to arrange their work day to be the “Helping Parent” four or five times per year. We also have many families whose caretakers such as nannies and grandparents are responsible for drop off and pick up. Nannies and grandparents may not serve as Helping Parents.
What If I Can’t Or Don’t Want To Help In The Classroom?
We offer an “opt-out” option for an additional fee where you will not help in the classroom, but your child still gets to have his or her own special days being the helping child and bringing snack and a show and tell item! So far every parent who has “opted out” ended up “opting in” after a few months when they realize how flexible and fun it is!
What If I Have A Baby At Home And No One To Babysit?
Families who come to RHCNS love the flexibility and cooperation found here. One of the best parts of being in a co-op is that you get to know the other parents and they often babysit for each other!
How Is Community Fostered Among The Families? Will I Fit In If I Am New To The Area?
One of the benefits of small school is the strong sense of community we have here. To help foster this sense of community, we host summer play dates where both parents and students can get to know one another before school even begins. Many families pack lunch or snacks and spend time at the playground and gazebo area after school has ended to continue socializing. In addition to a formal Parent Engagement and Education committee which organizes social events such as paint nights and dinners out, parents often contact one another for spontaneous get-togethers during non-school hours. Many of our families relocate to this area from other parts of the country or other countries, and we welcome them into our school community with open arms.
Questions? Email us at info@rhcns.org