Nonotuck Community School
Nonotuck Community School
221 Riverside Drive
Florence, MA 01062
221 Riverside Drive
Florence, MA 01062
Early education & child care center for children 15 months - 5 years
OPENINGS AVAILABLE for TWO YEAR OLDS and 4 year olds! Call now: 413.586.5996!
Nonotuck has been serving the greater Northampton area for nearly 40 years and has been in our current location for over a decade. Our wonderful school building includes four well-appointed, spacious classrooms, an art studio, a large and sunny indoor play space and two very large and natural outdoor play spaces, including climbing equipment and garden areas. Our child care program serves children aged 15 months through 5 years (children leave us to attend kindergarten). We are open year-round, five days per week and offer flexible schedules of 3, 4, or 5 days. Our 'core' day is 8:30 - 3:30 and we have extended hours from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm. Healthy snacks are provided. Children do not need to be potty-trained to attend and nap time takes place in the classrooms.
Our curriculum is play-based and inspired by progressive early childhood education theory. Our children have ample time for free-play, exercise in our community room (including trikes, climbing apparatus, and even yoga instruction!), and outdoor time. Teachers create small group activities that emphasize the arts and creativity, and we have large-group circle time every day for stories, discussion, and music. We are a licensed child care center and our teachers meet and surpass state requirements for early childhood educators.
Keywords: early childhood, preschool, child care, day care, daycare, toddler, nursery school, parent cooperative
OPENINGS AVAILABLE for TWO YEAR OLDS and 4 year olds! Call now: 413.586.5996!
Nonotuck has been serving the greater Northampton area for nearly 40 years and has been in our current location for over a decade. Our wonderful school building includes four well-appointed, spacious classrooms, an art studio, a large and sunny indoor play space and two very large and natural outdoor play spaces, including climbing equipment and garden areas. Our child care program serves children aged 15 months through 5 years (children leave us to attend kindergarten). We are open year-round, five days per week and offer flexible schedules of 3, 4, or 5 days. Our 'core' day is 8:30 - 3:30 and we have extended hours from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm. Healthy snacks are provided. Children do not need to be potty-trained to attend and nap time takes place in the classrooms.
Our curriculum is play-based and inspired by progressive early childhood education theory. Our children have ample time for free-play, exercise in our community room (including trikes, climbing apparatus, and even yoga instruction!), and outdoor time. Teachers create small group activities that emphasize the arts and creativity, and we have large-group circle time every day for stories, discussion, and music. We are a licensed child care center and our teachers meet and surpass state requirements for early childhood educators.
Keywords: early childhood, preschool, child care, day care, daycare, toddler, nursery school, parent cooperative
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Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
40 year anniversary in Sept 2017!
What is your primary product or service?
early childhood education and child care
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
Executive Director Leslie Klein Pilder is an experienced early childhood educator, having worked most recently in Boston as the director of Buds and Blossoms, a Mandarin immersion child care center and before that in Manhattan at The Educational Alliance Preschool. At New York University's Teaching for Success program (a research project designed to improve the quality of teaching and learning in NYC Head Start centers), Leslie worked to educate and inspire teachers and administrators of young children. As a lecturer at Empire College (State University of NY), Leslie taught undergraduate and graduate students studying early childhood and created a well-received seminar series on Adolescent Rites of Passage, the topic of her second Master’s degree. Leslie has adult children and stepchildren and a grandchildren on each coast (ask her, and she'll show you photos!) She is happy to be in Northampton, a place she loved at first sight.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
We are a parent cooperative. Teachers are union members. Our curriculum is play-based and emergent, meaning we observe the children and build our activities around their needs and interests.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
We have recently purchased our building! We have a permanent home!
Provide detailed directions to your location
Very close to Northampton High School.
Which areas do you service?
The Florence / Northampton extended area including Amherst, Holyoke, Easthampton, etc.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
Non-profit. Parent Cooperative, with parents making up the Board of Directors. Executive Director runs daily operations
What are your hours of operation?
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. We are open all year, and contracts are for the entire 12 months.
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
That they loved being Nonotuck parents and that their child thrived with us and was well-prepared for kindergarten when they left. Parents have said that they appreciate the insights and support they get from teachers and the director.
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
Children are the curriculum.
40 year anniversary in Sept 2017!
What is your primary product or service?
early childhood education and child care
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
Executive Director Leslie Klein Pilder is an experienced early childhood educator, having worked most recently in Boston as the director of Buds and Blossoms, a Mandarin immersion child care center and before that in Manhattan at The Educational Alliance Preschool. At New York University's Teaching for Success program (a research project designed to improve the quality of teaching and learning in NYC Head Start centers), Leslie worked to educate and inspire teachers and administrators of young children. As a lecturer at Empire College (State University of NY), Leslie taught undergraduate and graduate students studying early childhood and created a well-received seminar series on Adolescent Rites of Passage, the topic of her second Master’s degree. Leslie has adult children and stepchildren and a grandchildren on each coast (ask her, and she'll show you photos!) She is happy to be in Northampton, a place she loved at first sight.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
We are a parent cooperative. Teachers are union members. Our curriculum is play-based and emergent, meaning we observe the children and build our activities around their needs and interests.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
We have recently purchased our building! We have a permanent home!
Provide detailed directions to your location
Very close to Northampton High School.
Which areas do you service?
The Florence / Northampton extended area including Amherst, Holyoke, Easthampton, etc.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
Non-profit. Parent Cooperative, with parents making up the Board of Directors. Executive Director runs daily operations
What are your hours of operation?
7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. We are open all year, and contracts are for the entire 12 months.
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
That they loved being Nonotuck parents and that their child thrived with us and was well-prepared for kindergarten when they left. Parents have said that they appreciate the insights and support they get from teachers and the director.
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
Children are the curriculum.
Contact Nonotuck Community School:
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