Frequently Asked Questions
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How old does my child need to be to attend?
We have classes specially designed for students who are three or four years old. We also welcome students who are five years old and waiting an additional year before enrolling in kindergarten. We follow Bethlehem Central School District guidelines to determine whether children are old enough to enroll in classes. These guidelines require children to reach the appropriate age for the class they are in by December 1 of the school year. For example at TVN, children in our three-year-old classes must turn three by December 1 of the school year. However, a waiver of this requirement may be available for children who reach the appropriate age by December 31 and are developmentally ready to begin preschool. Any family seeking a waiver will be asked to meet with the Education Director to discuss their child’s preparedness and to plan an appropriate three-year preschool program. |
How can I schedule a tour of the school?
The easiest way to schedule a tour of the school is to email [email protected].
The easiest way to schedule a tour of the school is to email [email protected].
What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
Each of our classes is led by one lead and one assistant teacher. We cap enrollment at 14 for our three-year-old classes and 16 for our four-year-old classes. This results in a student-to-teacher ratio of 7:1 for three-year-old students or 8:1 for four-year-old students. On most days, our professional teachers are assisted by a parent volunteer, which causes our ratios to fall near or below 5:1, depending on the age group.
Each of our classes is led by one lead and one assistant teacher. We cap enrollment at 14 for our three-year-old classes and 16 for our four-year-old classes. This results in a student-to-teacher ratio of 7:1 for three-year-old students or 8:1 for four-year-old students. On most days, our professional teachers are assisted by a parent volunteer, which causes our ratios to fall near or below 5:1, depending on the age group.
How many days of the week can my child attend?
In the past we have offered 2, 3, 4, and 5 day programs. The options offered each year are based on demand. View a list of classes and tuition.
What are your hours?
Our classes are 3 hours long, in the morning. Our classes have a staggered start time to allow for a more manageable flow of traffic and parking for our families. All classes begin at either 9:20 AM or 9:30 AM.
In the past we have offered 2, 3, 4, and 5 day programs. The options offered each year are based on demand. View a list of classes and tuition.
What are your hours?
Our classes are 3 hours long, in the morning. Our classes have a staggered start time to allow for a more manageable flow of traffic and parking for our families. All classes begin at either 9:20 AM or 9:30 AM.
What does it mean to be a cooperative preschool?
Tri Village Nursery School has been a cooperative preschool since opening in 1946. As a cooperative preschool, parents are welcomed into the classroom as a "parent volunteer." A "parent volunteer" is just that, a parent who is part of the classroom for the day to help the teachers and students with their activities, snack time, and play. Being part of a cooperative preschool is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences for families who are able to participate. Some families don't have as much flexibility to be able to volunteer on a regular basis, and that is OK. We welcome families to participate as much as they are able.
Tri Village Nursery School has been a cooperative preschool since opening in 1946. As a cooperative preschool, parents are welcomed into the classroom as a "parent volunteer." A "parent volunteer" is just that, a parent who is part of the classroom for the day to help the teachers and students with their activities, snack time, and play. Being part of a cooperative preschool is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences for families who are able to participate. Some families don't have as much flexibility to be able to volunteer on a regular basis, and that is OK. We welcome families to participate as much as they are able.
What is your philosophy or curriculum?
Tri-Village Nursery School uses the New York State Pre-K Learning Standards as the foundation for its curriculum. The framework for our program comes from sound, well-researched practices and is supported by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). We offer a thematic, play-based curriculum. Teachers create lessons and activities that are integrated around a specific topic, theme or question. Learn more about our play-based curriculum.
Tri-Village Nursery School uses the New York State Pre-K Learning Standards as the foundation for its curriculum. The framework for our program comes from sound, well-researched practices and is supported by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). We offer a thematic, play-based curriculum. Teachers create lessons and activities that are integrated around a specific topic, theme or question. Learn more about our play-based curriculum.
What calendar do you follow?
Tr-Village Nursery School takes its lead from Bethlehem Central School District in determining snow days, early dismissals, late openings, holidays, and half days. Each winter, we publish our calendar for the following school year. Typically, we begin our school year two weeks after the start of BCSD classes. Graduation takes place in early June, immediately following the last day of regular classes. We also offer an optional summer camp, which extends our school year by an additional two weeks.
Tr-Village Nursery School takes its lead from Bethlehem Central School District in determining snow days, early dismissals, late openings, holidays, and half days. Each winter, we publish our calendar for the following school year. Typically, we begin our school year two weeks after the start of BCSD classes. Graduation takes place in early June, immediately following the last day of regular classes. We also offer an optional summer camp, which extends our school year by an additional two weeks.
What qualifications do your teachers hold?
We require all of our lead classroom teachers to hold a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field or to have at least ten years of experience teaching in a preschool setting. The majority of our teachers - both lead and assistant - exceed these minimum requirements, holding graduate degrees in teaching or related fields. TVN staff receive professional development training each year, helping to keep them aware of best practices and innovative thinking. Meet our teachers.
We require all of our lead classroom teachers to hold a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field or to have at least ten years of experience teaching in a preschool setting. The majority of our teachers - both lead and assistant - exceed these minimum requirements, holding graduate degrees in teaching or related fields. TVN staff receive professional development training each year, helping to keep them aware of best practices and innovative thinking. Meet our teachers.
Does your school have a religious component?
Tri-Village Nursery School is a secular preschool, which means our curriculum does not include a religious component. We are pleased to welcome families from all religions and backgrounds. We are long-time tenants of First United Methodist Church, and are delighted to be able to share space with FUMC, but we are not otherwise affiliated with any religious institution.
Tri-Village Nursery School is a secular preschool, which means our curriculum does not include a religious component. We are pleased to welcome families from all religions and backgrounds. We are long-time tenants of First United Methodist Church, and are delighted to be able to share space with FUMC, but we are not otherwise affiliated with any religious institution.
Does my child need to be potty trained?
Children are expected to be toilet trained upon entering school and must be able to identify the need to use the restroom without intervention. We understand a three-year-old entering preschool may require time to transition. Therefore, a child may use a pull up during a carefully planned transition period if a conversation has taken place beforehand with the school's Education Director. If you have questions about these requirements, please contact Kathie Dubin at [email protected].
Children are expected to be toilet trained upon entering school and must be able to identify the need to use the restroom without intervention. We understand a three-year-old entering preschool may require time to transition. Therefore, a child may use a pull up during a carefully planned transition period if a conversation has taken place beforehand with the school's Education Director. If you have questions about these requirements, please contact Kathie Dubin at [email protected].
Do you cater to individualized learning plans?
We welcome students from all backgrounds and our teachers are accustomed to adjusting lesson plans to fit the needs of individual children. In cases where additional support or resources may be needed to help children succeed, we work with families and their home school districts to create and implement individualized learning plans. Teachers work with families to assess a possible need for screenings with CPSE (Committee on Preschool Education). In cases where students may require the assistance of support service providers (occupational, physical and/or speech therapists) in order to assist with or maintain age-appropriate development, these therapists are welcome to work with children in the classroom environment (or in a quiet space nearby) when it is requested and prearranged with your child’s teacher.
We welcome students from all backgrounds and our teachers are accustomed to adjusting lesson plans to fit the needs of individual children. In cases where additional support or resources may be needed to help children succeed, we work with families and their home school districts to create and implement individualized learning plans. Teachers work with families to assess a possible need for screenings with CPSE (Committee on Preschool Education). In cases where students may require the assistance of support service providers (occupational, physical and/or speech therapists) in order to assist with or maintain age-appropriate development, these therapists are welcome to work with children in the classroom environment (or in a quiet space nearby) when it is requested and prearranged with your child’s teacher.
What is your immunization policy?
We require all students to provide evidence of having received age-appropriate immunizations, as mandated by New York State Public Health Law. Evidence of these immunizations, along with a physical examination, must be provided on the TVN Health Form, with a physician's signature, 30 days prior to the first day of school. Additional information.
We require all students to provide evidence of having received age-appropriate immunizations, as mandated by New York State Public Health Law. Evidence of these immunizations, along with a physical examination, must be provided on the TVN Health Form, with a physician's signature, 30 days prior to the first day of school. Additional information.
Do you accommodate allergies?
We make every effort to provide a safe environment for children with allergies. We are a peanut-free and tree nut-free school and all of our teachers are provided with EpiPen training each year. Families that are concerned about allergies and allergy protocol at the school should meet with the Education Director prior to the start of school to make sure an emergency care plan is in place and to confirm that the school will be able to make appropriate accommodations to fit their family’s needs.
We make every effort to provide a safe environment for children with allergies. We are a peanut-free and tree nut-free school and all of our teachers are provided with EpiPen training each year. Families that are concerned about allergies and allergy protocol at the school should meet with the Education Director prior to the start of school to make sure an emergency care plan is in place and to confirm that the school will be able to make appropriate accommodations to fit their family’s needs.
When is class registration?
Registration for currently enrolled families occurs in late November and early December each year. This "in-house" registration period is followed by a preferential registration period for alumni families, which occurs in late December and early January. Registration for new families begins in January, with a lottery for class assignments taking place in early February. Following this lottery, additional registrations will be accepted, as space permits, in the order in which they are received.
Registration for currently enrolled families occurs in late November and early December each year. This "in-house" registration period is followed by a preferential registration period for alumni families, which occurs in late December and early January. Registration for new families begins in January, with a lottery for class assignments taking place in early February. Following this lottery, additional registrations will be accepted, as space permits, in the order in which they are received.
Is the school secure?
We have taken a number of steps to ensure that children are safe while in our care. TVN teachers receive emergency preparedness training each year. We run professional background checks for all staff, substitute teachers (including parent volunteers), and board members who handle school finances. We verify our list of volunteers against the sex offender registry. We work closely with local fire safety officers and receive an annual fire safety inspection. We conduct state-recommended evacuation and shelter-in-place drills for all of our classes. Outside doors to our building remain locked during the school day, families entering the building must be let in the classrooms by their child's teacher, and visitors to the building must call up to the church office to gain admission to the facilities. The children enter and exit through the exterior door of their classroom. These exterior doors and the interior hallway doors are kept locked throughout the school day while classes are in session. Children are only released at the end of the day to adults who have been approved ahead of time by parents and guardians.
We have taken a number of steps to ensure that children are safe while in our care. TVN teachers receive emergency preparedness training each year. We run professional background checks for all staff, substitute teachers (including parent volunteers), and board members who handle school finances. We verify our list of volunteers against the sex offender registry. We work closely with local fire safety officers and receive an annual fire safety inspection. We conduct state-recommended evacuation and shelter-in-place drills for all of our classes. Outside doors to our building remain locked during the school day, families entering the building must be let in the classrooms by their child's teacher, and visitors to the building must call up to the church office to gain admission to the facilities. The children enter and exit through the exterior door of their classroom. These exterior doors and the interior hallway doors are kept locked throughout the school day while classes are in session. Children are only released at the end of the day to adults who have been approved ahead of time by parents and guardians.
Is there an outdoor play area?
Our teachers make regular use of outdoor spaces around our building as well as the playground at Delmar Reformed Church. We have a wonderful and spacious fenced-in outdoor space that our teachers utilize as much as possible. Weather permitting, our students can be found outside searching for worms, gardening, and playing with classmates. In warmer weather, our classes take walking field trips to the library, the police station, and area playgrounds.
Our teachers make regular use of outdoor spaces around our building as well as the playground at Delmar Reformed Church. We have a wonderful and spacious fenced-in outdoor space that our teachers utilize as much as possible. Weather permitting, our students can be found outside searching for worms, gardening, and playing with classmates. In warmer weather, our classes take walking field trips to the library, the police station, and area playgrounds.