Garrett Park Nursery School (GPNS) is a parent owned and operated nursery school founded in 1953 in Garrett Park, MD. The 2003 - 2004 school year marked the 50th anniversary for the school.
GPNS offers a high quality education for 2, 3 and 4-year-old children, and a pre-school extended day program.
Philosophy
The primary goals of the school are to provide an environment that allows each child to grow and develop at his or her own pace and to encourage the children to interact positively with their peers. We believe parental participation in the school environment helps ease the transition from home to school for both child and parent. All benefit when children, parents and teachers know each other well and share in the learning experience.
Classroom Setting
Four's Classroom
The school is next to the Garrett Park Elementary School in the Garrett Park Community Center at 4812 Oxford Street. The classrooms are spacious and well equipped with materials to encourage the spontaneity and creativity of each child. The school setting includes: sand and water tables, easels and art supplies, housekeeping and dress-up areas, a reading corner, science center, work bench, and a loft play area. Also available are block, play-dough, and puzzles, as well as other equipment appropriate for other large and small motor activities.
The shady, fenced outdoor playground includes swings, a slide, a sand box, balance beams, a climbing structure, riding toys, and open space.
Parent Participation
Preschool Program. As a parent owned and operated nursery school, GPNS relies solely on its members to carry out all non-teaching tasks necessary to ensure smooth operation of the school. All members of the preschool are required to participate on a co-operative basis. Parents assist in the classroom on a rotating basis, once every one to two weeks, and provide a nutritional snack for the class every other time they co-op. Either parent is welcomed and encouraged to assist in the classroom. Parents drive on field trips at least twice a year for 3 and 4 year old classes only.
Playground
Outside the classroom, preschool parents are required to participate in school clean-ups through the year, hold a "working position" within the co-op (ranging from serving on the Executive Board, to maintaining equipment, to writing the newsletter, to scheduling field trips, to maintaining the school library), and participate in the major fundraising event - our Annual Craft Fair held in November. Also because communication is essential, attendance is mandatory at monthly evening meetings.