Our program mirrors Bard's value on progressive education for our youngest citizens.
Our Programs
Bard College's Abigail Lundquist Botstein Nursery School and Children's Center is a single early-childhood program with a unified philosophy.
- For the first year, the youngest children (3 years old) are enrolled in the children's center.
- For the second year, the older children (4 years old) are enrolled in the nursery school.
Our Curriculum
The curriculum is developmentally appropriate and designed especially for children ages 3 -5. Teachers plan activities to promote growth in all areas of development (social-emotional, physical, intellectual, language). A focus on self esteem and social development is central to all experiences. Teachers listen well, ask good questions, engage in conversation and let child inquiry lead projects and curriculum design. Teachers act as collaborators as children engage in projects and choose from focus areas including: Blocks & Building, Arts, Movement, Books & Story Telling, Puzzles & Games, Dramatic Play & Dress up, Nature Exploration & Sensory Play with sand, water, clay and dough.
Our Teachers
Our teachers are chosen for their joy in working with children, and their commitment to progressive early childhood education. We meet regularly for conversation, reflection, research, and documentation. We practice responsive care and intentional teaching. We believe teaching is an expressive art and we work as a teaching team and continually support one another to grow our skills in listening, observing, documenting, asking good questions, encouraging and coaching.
Our Facilities and Grounds
Our early childhood campus includes two buildings (next door to one another) designed for full day education & care, with adjacent playgrounds and nature scapes for outdoor play every day in all seasons and all weather.
Pictured: The Abigail Lundquist Botstein Nursery School