Philosophy & Overview
“Play is often talked about as if it is a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”
— Fred Rogers
We believe that every child is unique, and that each one should be allowed to take an individual, active role in the process of learning. We believe that nurturing confidence, curiosity, and cooperative relationships with both peers and adults is as important as guiding cognitive skills, and that children who are healthy emotionally are best prepared for later schooling.
NPS promotes cultural, racial, religious, and socioeconomic diversity within its community, and encourages teachers to celebrate that diversity. We also welcome parents to participate in the program at any time, and hope that many will choose to visit and share their varied talents and cultural traditions with the children.
The special connection between parent and child is strong and precious, and we intend to promote it. Parents’ wishes for their child’s care are always solicited, and will be respected whenever possible within the policies of the school. The staff at NPS serves as a support to parents, not a replacement for them!
The Neighborhood Preschool is a fully licensed, nonprofit childcare program. We are supported, in part, by Wesleyan University, and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. NPS does not discriminate on the basis of of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by law