About Altadena Nursery School
789 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena CA 91107 - 626/296-1231
California License #198004770
The philosophy of Altadena Nursery School is based on our belief
in the capacity of human beings to grow in a positive way. We believe
that children can learn to master themselves and that parents can
learn to be effective. As a cooperative school ANS knows that the
best education comes about when parents and children are closely
involved in that education. Our professional teaching staff interacts
with each child in light of the dynamics of his or her entire family.
Parents and teachers work together to help each child grow and discover
the world at his or her own pace.
Parents at ANS make a commitment to their children and to the
entire school community by working their classroom participation
days, helping at maintenance workshops and meeting their fundraising
responsibilities. Prospective parents may visit the school for an
initial tour and to start the application process. Please call ANS
at 626-296-1231.
Altadena Nursery School (ANS) is a licensed, non-profit, non-sectarian,
interracial, cooperative nursery school in which each family shares
in the school's planning and operations. ANS was started in 1950
by a small group of CalTech parents as a babysitting co-op and has
grown into a nursery school that operates daily for up to 50 children
from the ages of two to five years old. Since its beginning, ANS
has made a unique and profound contribution to children and families
of the Pasadena/Altadena community.
Curriculum
Every day, our children explore their world through a developmentally
based curriculum. We believe each child deserves positive recognition
and sincere praise - as well as the freedom to choose activities.
Sharing, taking turns, respecting others and settling disputes are
among the most important skills our preschoolers master. But painting,
cooking, science, singing and gardening also help our children build
competence and self esteem.
Classes are held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, five days a week. Parents
can enroll their children for two, three, four or five days per
week.
A beneficial feature of our school is the mixed-age environment
we provide for our children. During inside playtime and outside
time, the children can choose where they want to be and what they
want to do from a variety of activities. Our boys and girls enjoy
art and science projects, climbing on our play structure, running,
jumping, and imaginative play with dolls, blocks, puzzles, wheel
toys and a kid-sized playhouse. Then during snack and story time
they divide up by age and to eat and to hear and participate in
age-appropriate stories and songs.
Staff
The Altadena Nursery School teaching staff of three licensed
teachers and a teacher's aide, guided by our director, is specifically
trained in the education
of preschool-age children. In addition to our teachers, we also
schedule six parent assistants per day.
Parent Participation
Since we are a cooperative school, parent participation is at
the heart of our program. We believe mothers and fathers have much
to share with their children and with each other. ANS recognizes
that parenting is a complex and dignified vocation in a society
which increasingly seems to demean that role. Our school believes
that parenting is a skill to be developed actively. Parents learn
that as you grow as a parent, you also grow as a person.
ANS strives to keep its tuition as low as possible to make the
school accessible to families of many income levels. Parents work
as classroom assistants and perform all routine maintenance at the
school in order to make this goal possible. Participation in the
classroom, maintenance workshops and fundraisers is required for
all ANS families.
The proceeds from our annual orange and grapefruit sale, which
is quite popular in the community, go to further reduce tuition,
pay costs, and improve the educational environment. Our school is
also known for its annual collection and distribution of food and
gifts to local children's charities during the holidays.
Families and Events
ANS supports the importance of families by hosting Parent Education
events with our director and staff, sessions with professionals
involved in the parenting and service of children, a parenting
Book Club and other enrichment opportunities. Parents are offered
these forums to pose questions, share ideas and enhance their parenting
resources.
ANS also organizes many family get-togethers throughout the
year to celebrate the seasons. Our traditional Stone Soup party,
held
before Thanksgiving, offers children an opportunity to see what
can be done when we all contribute something and work together.
Each family brings one of the items for the soup. The children
help prepare the soup and hear the story of "Stone Soup".
Everyone eats together, sharing in the community effort.
At our International Potluck, families bring food to share that
reflects their heritage. Children and adults sample foods they've
perhaps never tried and find out about other cultures.
ANS also loves to learn and take part in the traditions and
holidays of our membership families. Two long-standing and beloved
events
at ANS are our Winter Party, with a visit from Santa, and our Spring
Party, with an Egg Hunt and visit from the Spring Bunny (usually
a volunteer parent). Some other holidays that our families have
celebrated and shared with the children in the past include Kwanzaa,
Lunar New Year, Chanukah, Persian New Year, Passover and many others.
Our staff approaches each holiday/tradition in a way that promotes
the children’s understanding and helps them to participate,
enjoy and feel part of the greater world.
We also take the opportunity a couple of times a year to meet as
a school in the early evening at a local park for a family picnic
dinner. Families get to know each other and get to know the teachers
in a setting away from school. Students who have graduated come
and see their old teachers and visit with old friends.
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