Neighborhood Preschool

Pssst.... NPS is moving to 60 Long Lane. We're not trying to brag, but it's basically the nicest preschool in the region. We are affiliated with Wesleyan University, and open to the community.

Thanks to our amazing director and staff, and the tremendous support from Wesleyan, we're almost moved-in. Here's a sneak peek from today's walk to the new building and visit. Professional photos to follow.

Classrooms are almost full, but there are still a few spots left in the preschool. Reach out today to learn more or join the waitlist!

Looking good, NPS! Sending so much love to these crews, who are working through the weekends to ensure we are ready for move-in at the end of the month. Our classrooms are almost full—but we still have some space in the preschool. Our waitlist for the Infant/Toddler class is also active. Reach out to learn more!

Say hello to NPS at Long Lane, opening Fall 2022!

Thanks to the generous support of Wesleyan University, NPS is moving to a brand new building on Long Lane this Fall 2022.

The waitlist is active for our Infant/Toddler program, and there are still a few spots available for full-time preschool. We are actively updating our tuition schedule for new families, which will be available soon.

NPS is affiliated with and supported by Wesleyan University, and is also open to the broader community. Reach out today to learn more about this special program!

https://www.npswesleyan.org/nps-at-long-lane

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education OR a degree in a related field plus experience in teaching children under 6 years of age. CT OEC Head Teacher Certificate required.

Personal:
-Ability to supervise staff of varying educational and experimental backgrounds.
-Sensitivity to the needs of and a strong liking for children and awareness of what constitutes a sound educational program for young children.
-Ability to create a feeling of community within the work setting and to model desired behavior of interacting with children, families and staff
-Active pursuit of opportunities for professional development.
Ability to respect confidentiality of written, oral and observed information.

General Responsibilities:
-Ensure that programs are in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the school.
-Provide liaison with the Director.
Report problems of child or room management to the Director.
-Assist in suggesting and planning in-service and other professional training for staff.
-Manage petty cash and snack fund budgets for the classroom, take responsibility for passing materials and supply orders and receipts for reimbursement to the Director in a timely fashion.
-Delegate the planning of varied and nutritious snacks and where applicable, cooking projects.
-Plan and arrange regular meetings with staff members and student workers.
-Maintain prompt hours and notify the designated staff person in the event of illness, with as much notice as possible.
Plan and arrange for classroom substitutes.
-Maintain own up-to-date physical examination and health record, authorize state police background check for child abuse arrest record.
Acquire and maintain certification in first aid.
-Maintain a neat and clean appearance which is suitable for playing on the floor with children.
-Work with all other staff members and parent volunteers in a cooperative manner.
-Observe and follow the personnel policies of the school, as set forth in the personnel, staff and parent handbook.
-Treat all children with dignity and respect.
-Maintain a welcoming and friendly attitude toward parents.
-Actively pursue professional development.
-Participate in school activities as requested (e.g., newsletter, snack planning and preparations, class decoration…).

Classroom Responsibilities:
-Supervise classroom staff, including student workers; maintain records of attendance, hold regular staff meetings.
Responsible with Director for oral and written references for student workers.
-Provide support and on-going training to staff in conjunction with the Director as needed.
-Write reports of accidents you witness and other unusual events the day they happen; make sure they are distributed appropriately.
-Provide written curriculum planning in advance, and keep a file of programs, which are developmentally appropriate and provide experience with a variety of materials in the fields of art, music, literature, science, and mathematics.
Implement the above described programs.
-Greet each family daily, and be available to take phone calls from parents.
-Promote and supervise activities, which promote the healthy emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development of each child.
-Provide and maintain a neat, organized classroom; take responsibility for the upkeep of all educational materials and equipment and notify the director when they must be repaired or replaced.
-Participate in all meals and snack with the children while on duty, and assist in the development of good nutritional habits as well as self-help skills in a relaced, pleasant social environment.
Supervise and interact with children during daily outdoor play.
-Take responsibility for ensuring the safety of all children at all times.
Assist with diapering and toileting the children in a friendly, relaxed way while maintaining proper hygiene.
-Maintain records of each child’s growth and development’ prepare annual progress reports for each child and discuss these with other staff as appropriate and each child’s parents the development of their child. Encourage parent participation in school programs.
-Complete performance reviews of teachers, associate teachers and assistant teachers.
-Other responsibilities as requested by the Director.

Direct Supervisor: Director

Salary Range:
Annual salary rate depending on qualifications, length of time served and demonstrated excellence as an employee of The Neighborhood Preschool.

Benefits as described in the personnel handbook for those working full-time at least 10 months a year or ¾ time over 12 months.

Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Despite the uncertainty of times and adjustments for teachers and children, NPS preschool has had an awesome year so far. The classroom has been indoors and outdoors with tons of exploration and fun! Here’s a peak into what we have been up to. ☺️

We love when the Wesleyan Football Players come to NPS! It's always so much fun when they read stories to us at group time!

We always love when Laura from Central Connecticut Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics visits our schools! We leaned about what foods may or may not be good for our teeth and how to brush/floss properly. Thank you, Laura for another fun morning at NPS!

We had a very busy morning building with blocks at our High Street Preschool. :)

Throughout the year, NPS finds unique ways to celebrate, play and learn. We also regularly welcome special guests from the Wesleyan and Middletown communities to expand our horizons. Here is a sneak peek for you!

The Infants & Toddlers program is for our littlest children. For infants, the focus is on following each child’s individualized patterns and—as the children grow and change—gradually adapting to a more consistent, but flexible, program.

In the Infants & Toddlers program, our ratio of teachers to children is 1:3.

When space is available, we can offer contracts through the summer months for families seeking supplemental care.

Our Preschool program provides our older children with a more regular pattern, with considerable time built-in for children to choose their own activities.

We have a teacher:student ratio of 1:7, or often less, for our preschoolers.