Dear WCNS community,
Our community, our city, our nation, and the whole world is mourning and reflecting upon current and historical racial inequities. At WCNS we are devastated by recent horrendous events, and are perhaps even more saddened by the knowledge that this is nothing new for people who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color. We stand in support and solidarity with these communities and passionately denounce racism in any form.
For too long, most of us from privileged backgrounds have been too silent. While we at WCNS can comfortably say that we have been supportive of a diverse community and are committed to racial equality, it is not enough. We vow to do better, and we will.
It is not enough to just be non-racist. We will educate ourselves in the principles of anti-racism. We pledge to listen to and elevate voices from the Black community. We will acknowledge our biases and understand how they affect us. We will actively work to build a WCNS classroom and community that will proactively champion the cause of racial equity.
The history is deep and painful. The murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd have opened the door for an awakening in our community and our nation. We ache for this moment to be different and we will act on it. We want to hear your voices and your ideas about how to accomplish this. Please join us in listening, participating and acting on these principles.
Black Lives Matter.
Respectfully,
The WCNS Staff and Board of Directors
OUR MISSION
To serve young children by providing a developmentally appropriate curriculum which enhances self-esteem, promotes problem-solving skills, and fosters healthy emotional, social, physical, language and intellectual growth.
Our program helps build a community of active, engaged learners and families.
Our program helps build a community of active, engaged learners and families.
OUR CURRICULUM![]() Our teachers use an intentional cycle of teaching. First they develop an “emergent” curriculum by observing and recognizing the interests and needs of the children – as individuals and as a group. Then they implement the weekly “learning experience plans” and record children’s progress. Finally, data on children’s performance and more wonderful ideas from the children influence the next round of planning.
Our teachers use the State of Connecticut Preschool Frameworks and National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) accreditation standards as guides for planning. The CT Preschool Frameworks and the NAEYC standards support children in all areas of development including personal/social, physical, cognitive (language and logico-mathematical), and creative expression, ensuring that we teach the “whole” child. |
OUR COMMUNITY![]() Community is at the heart of everything that takes place at WCNS. The school is dedicated to serving not just students, but their families as well.
Many activities occur during the school year offering a wide variety of opportunities for families to support the school, each other and the greater community. The school sponsors many events to foster new relationships among families and staff. Families are an integral part of WCNS. WCNS welcomes families in the classroom and values the talents, interests and resources that families and friends have to share: whether to read a story to a small group of children, cook with the children, teach yoga, share a custom or tradition, or play a musical instrument. WCNS has a working Board of Directors that is made up of current and alumni families. All families are asked to be a partner in their child’s education by participating in the program. We are a network of teachers, students and families committed to quality preschool education and to the larger New Haven community. |
Learning Through Play from Lee Faulkner on Vimeo.
Westville Community Nursery School, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family structure, ability or national or ethnic origin in the administration of admissions procedures or educational practices or policies.
WCNS, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations may be tax deductible; consult your tax advisor.
WCNS is accredited by the
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
WCNS, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donations may be tax deductible; consult your tax advisor.
WCNS is accredited by the
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).