Smithtown Co-Op Nursery School

It's the most wonderful school to be part of, both for the children and the parents. When my daughter, at age two, started going there, we both were anxious about separating. They allowed us to separate gently. I was allowed to stay in the classroom, and gradually, as both mother and child felt comfortable, started staying less and less.nThe teacher we had back then, Ms Joanne, was so kind, so wise, so experienced. Both kids and parents loved being around her. Later on, with Ms Suzanne, it was the same thing. A wise, experienced an loving teacher who brought everyone together.nEven after a full day of teaching, she welcomed us to come in, to stay and chat. Us moms would stay for so long, just talking and recharging our batteries together.nI felt we got a better deal than people who pay an exuberant amount of money for an expensive school, while the learning, the community and the love in this school got us, in my opinion, something those expensive schools can't offer.nIt's was also wonderful to be involved in the classroom and to enjoy parties together. They organized a Halloween party when my daughter was 3, that is still a precious memory!nIf you are looking for a community, and a safe place where your children can flourish, this is the spot!

This place is very special to my heart (and my daughter). My daughter was 18 months old when we started in the Mommy and Me program.nnI have seen the school go through several changes all in the direction to help build a strong community and safe space for the children. It is a place where your child will feel nurtured, safe, seen and heard. My daughter immensely misses her teachers and lifetime friendships that she was blessed to create here. What's special about this place is that it also became a space where I found lifetime friends (which isn't an easy task once you become a mom!).nnFrom an education perspective it's a school that tries really hard to balance both educational and developmental needs of children, with a nice combination of being child and teacher led (where play and social emotional learning are at the heart).nnI look forward to returning when my younger one is old enough.

We Love Smithtown Co-Op Nursery School! Our daughter went there for the 2 and 3 year old programs and she absolutely loved it. Everyone there were always so nice and helpful, the gentle and easy separation when she first attended the 2 year old program made the hole different in our lives. We were so worry about this fist introduction to school for our daughter and we couldn't have asked for a better way....I always loved to volunteer in our daughter's class and see up close how she was learning , interacting and playing with her little classmate, I always looked forward for that. The teachers were always amazing, patient, knowledgeable and nice to talk to specially for me that English is my secound language. So if you are looking for a pre school for your little loved one, this is the right place.

We love this school. My daughter began there at the mommy & me class when she was 18 months. We loved the gentle separation that the school offers. It was very helpful in the 2 year old class for my daughter, and me, as a first time mom. The 2's are a perfect combination of socialization and exposure to so many new things. The kids got to do water and sand play and paint on their own at easels. It was okay to get messy!nnThe 3's and 4's have been wonderful too. They learn through experiences and play. And they're learning so much from caring, nurturing adults. My daughter is off to kindergarten next year and I know she will thrive with the confidence and skills she's learning.nnI loved being able to participate in class, before the arrival of COVID. We got to interact with our child's friends and learn from the teachers. It really helps build such a wonderful community of families. They also organize family events like movie nights and Halloween parties which are so fun and such a great way to meet other families with same age children. Hopefully things will return to normal soon when the pandemic is over! Even during the pandemic we have continued to safely have socially distant events this Fall and we're doing our best to keep it as normal as possible for the children.nnThe school is small with only one class per age group and small class sizes, so I always felt like my children got a ton of personal attention. I really feel like it's a special place and I'm so glad we found it.nnLooking forward to my son being in the outdoor 2's again in the Spring and in the 3's next year!

My kids started their first school experience at the Smithtown Nursery School this past September and tonight is a night to express how grateful I am for this school, the staff, and my friend who told me about her family’s experience there. My kids love going to school and are constantly talking about their days and sharing all the wonderful things they’ve learned. As a school psychologist, I love the model of play-based learning. Though my children are definitely learning so many school readiness skills (letters, numbers, rote counting, one-to-one correspondence, fine motor control, etc.), they are also MORE IMPORTANTLY learning how to follow routines, show empathy, take turns, and to socialize in an appropriate and kind way. Gross and fine motor incorporation is another major plus. Prior to starting this past September, I had some concerns about my son's speech; however, this was quickly eased after only a month in the school. Rather, the development of my twins' has absolutely blown me away over these past few months. Language has blossomed, but even more I cannot count the amount of times that one of my children has identified an emotion in their sibling and attempted to rectify it by bringing a preferred object or something as simple as a hug. My deepest thanks to our amazing teachers, who Make my kids feel safe and loved in a way that makes them excited to go to school. There is also something magical about that eye catching red door that is impossible not to knock on coming and going. Another big thanks to the school itself. Though I don’t get to always be the one who participated on our family’s day, it is a true blessing to be a part of a parent cooperative and to be able to be so involved and have a say of what I think matters during this important part of the kids’ lives (because as we all know, it goes so fast). . ❤ufe0f ud83cudfeb