Truly a Community

My daughter loved MCNS from the very beginning. When she first began the 3's class, she was very quiet and shy. Now, as the 4's class comes to an end, she has blossomed into a friendly, playful, and social little butterfly.  Not only are the children supported and welcomed into the school, but the parents are as well. My daughter and I have both developed friendships with people that will continue to grow, even as school ends.  The name of the school truly says it all Merrick COMMUNITY Nursery School. 

Ava's Mom

Thanks MCNS

My daughter Jenna's years at MCNS are simply irreplaceable. Not only did she learn her ABCs, how to play "nicely" and negotiate, experience life's most beautiful wonders, but she also made her very first friendships here because of the love and tenderness that surrounded her. She truly could not have had a better experience for her forming years of school. As an elementary school teacher, these elements are so very important in setting the foundation for a successful child. Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Lauren Marciente

A Passion for Teaching

To all of the new parents who are looking for the perfect school for your children….look no further. We were lucky to be referred to Merrick Community from a friend who was sending her children there. The thought of allowing someone else to teach and watch over your child for a few hours without you there can be daunting. Those fears that come with finding the best preschool for your precious children will be calmed when you meet the teachers at MCS.

I have three children who all have very different personalities. By the first parent/teacher meeting, each teacher had absolutely ‘pegged’ who my children were….their likes and dislikes, their skill sets, what makes them tick. My first reaction was that they pay attention to detail and that my children were getting the individual attention that they need. All three children love going to school. They talk about their day, they talk about their teachers affectionately and most of all they come home happy and smarter. So you might say, how can a 2, 3 or 4 year old come home smarter? There are examples for each grade but I will tell you briefly about The Great Artists art show that the 4 year olds participate in. Each child learns about and paints 12 Great Artists and one evening they display their work and talk about one particular artist. It is nothing short of amazing that the MCS teachers led by Miss Jodie, Miss Joan, Miss Ellen and Miss Maureen are able to teach these young children about 12 artists and keep their interest and attention.

MCS is a cooperative school which means parents participate when scheduled in the classroom. What a great way to see firsthand how your child is interacting and developing over the year. As parents, we are able to watch how the teachers interact with our children, how they respond and have a hand in their first exposure to learning….what more could you ask for?

The most important factor for our family is that the teachers at MCS love what they do and have a true passion for teaching. It shows in their faces and their actions every day.

Miss Joan, Miss Abbe, Miss Ellen, Miss Colleen, Miss Jill, Miss Jodie, Miss Maureen and Miss Barbara made my children love school. There is no better gift a teacher can give a child or their parents and for that they will always hold a very special place in our hearts.

Judy and Jerry Kenny; parents of Katie (graduating 4’s), Maddie & Ryan (currently in 2’s)

Leaps and Bounds

Before attending Merrick Community Nursery School my little girl was painfully shy. Over the past two and a half years with the program, she has made leeps and bounds socially as well as with her letters, numbers, and knowledge of the world around her. We find comfort and security in the trust we feel for the the staff at MCNS because they are like family members to all of us. The playground outside is huge and there are many different toys, art projects, and field trips made available to the children. We are grateful and blessed to have been able to give this opportunity to our child.

Michele and Joey Z

A Special Thanks

I just had to write you and thank you ALL for the most memorable pre-school experienceFor Justin and for me and John as well. You all have transformed my little babyInto such a well-developed, independent caring and sharing boy who is so ready and eager For kindergarten. We have enjoyed getting to know all of you the past two years. It has been such a wonderful experience participating for us and for Justin. We all will really miss that next year. Not only was it great to experience what theywere learning and to see how they were interacting with each other , but it was alsoso heart-warming to see how much they bonded with all of you and how beautifullyyou treated each and every child. It made me feel so safe and secure knowing that Justin would be taken care of by all of you each and every day. As we pulled away yesterday Justin said he was feeling very sad, so I asked why (thinking heWould say he misses Ryan or Kate) and he said I want to cry because I am never going to seeMy teachers ever again and I will miss them L I re-assured him that this baby will be goingTo MCNS and he will definitely see all of you again . We all feel so part of your MCNS family and feel so blessed to have had this experience.Thank you all for all of your hard work and great memories you have made for me and my family

Nicole Hayes

We finally sent our youngest child to Merrick Community Nursery School!!!

For many years we lived within walking distance of MCNS and would pass the school while out for a family walk or a bike ride.  My oldest child, who had attended a different preschool, would always stop and look through the fence at all of the outdoor fun asking “Why didn’t I get to go there?”.  My wife and I would just shrug our shoulders.   I can’t tell you how many times we went through this same conversation.  The day finally came when we were to decide where to send our youngest child to nursery school and pre-k.  By then we had received many complimentary reports about MCNS and investigated it for ourselves.  When we finally signed up we realized that we had missed out on a local gem that was so close to us. While our youngest was about to start her school experience, our oldest was still complaining that she had wanted to attend.  Well, the oldest attends every school event with us and enjoys it as if she were the one attending.  It is a loving, nurturing, educational and fun experience for any child. I highly recommend not overlooking MCNS like I first did.

Mr. and Mrs. B

Dear Fellow Parents,

One of the most important decisions we make as parents is the school we select for our children’s preschool education.

I underscore “education,” because Merrick Community Nursery School believes that’s what the primary goal of pre-schooling should be.  A child’s thirst for knowledge is extremely active at that age, and sets the stage for future educational achievement. 

Our school goes far beyond the ABC’s and 1-2-3’s.  For Example, we teach appreciation of great artists of our time and showcase their works with trips to a local art museum.  How surprised would you be if your toddler came home one day and out of the clear blue, started talking about Picasso’s paintings? And oh yes, our own little artists are recognized with an art show of their own at school.

To get imaginative juices flowing, we recently staged a one-week “let’s pretend” trip around the world.  With homemade ticket, passport and paper “suitcase” in hand, kids were welcomed aboard a make-believe jet by our little pilot, flight attendant and boarding steward.  At take-off, a parent, a native of the country they visited, described what they were about to see.  After “landing” and getting passports stamped, the kids continued to learn about those places.  They cooked tortillas in El Salvador, went to a luau in Hawaii, built a Wailing Wall out of sugar cubes in Israel, ate rice with chopsticks in China and danced in Greece, it was more than a blast, but more importantly a prime example of how we combine learning with fun…and the unique way we get parents and teachers to work together in the cooperative Educational environment, to make the children’s first separation a positive learning experience. 

As the proud working mother of two children ages 2 and 5, who are getting so much out of Merrick Community Nursery School, I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend this school to others in similar circumstances.  If you’d like to see how a good nursery school can be.  I suggest making an appointment and check us out with your family.  While you’re there, please say hello to my Cassie and Mikey.  If you’re nice they may even give you a tour.

Sincerely,

Grateful Mom of Mikey and Cassie

Your child's first learning experience

What do you want for your child’s first learning experience?  If you are like my wife and I you want your child to be in a friendly, warm and loving environment, where learning comes from experiencing life in age appropriate fashion.  An added bonus would be if the other parents have the same commitment to their children’s early learning experience as you. If this seems like what your seeking, MCNS is the place you want your child to experience.  From their parent and me class through their 4 year old program, you and your child will be afforded decades of traditions and an experienced staff, dedicated to fostering a learning environment that is fun and meaningful for both child and parent. 

Both of our daughters had great experiences there and to this day the staff at MCNS is like an extended family to our family. But understand what makes this place really work is that you the parent will need to be engaged in your child’s learning experience. From class time to weekend maintenance you will become a part of the MCNS family. Your child will see you in the classroom helping out and will know if you’re going off on a Saturday to do fall clean up. Now if you look at price and compare to other schools and say well for the same price I can send my child to XYZ and not have to be involved and make the commitment of time then you’ll miss the beauty, tradition of being a part of your child’s early education at MCNS.

Too many people associate the term cooperative with less expensive program, but this is not the case and in this era of two working parents it’s difficult to find the time to make the commitment to MCNS.  But if you can make this commitment, like any commitment that doesn’t come easily, you and your family will be rewarded for many a year to come.  As your child will have learned and be ready for kindergarten and you will have been a part of that experience too.

A proud and grateful dad Mr. G. 

Happy 4 year old

The moment I walked into MCNS I knew it was the place for our family.  As a parent of an only child, you can imagine how I researched nursery schools.  I dragged my son around with me from school to school with him clinging to my leg trying to figure out where he would thrive best.

When we entered MCNS, we were welcomed with open arms.  I was immediately introduced to other parents, teachers, and staff.  My son was asked to play, and joined in building with construction blocks, and even got to hold the guinea pig!   He stayed the entire 2 hours and had snack, as I spoke with the director and learned all about this special place.

Seeing my son immediately so happy and content sold me on MCNS, and I have never looked back.  This was the best decision I have made as a parent so far.

Mommy of a happy, thriving 4 year old

A Thank You Letter

Let me start by saying that there really are no words to express how grateful we are to all of you for giving my daughter a second home with four very special new friends who are as nurturing to her as her own family.

Never in my wildest dreams did I even expect to separate so early let alone ever.  I came to you with a child who actually cried until she was ill at the thought of school - I have a little girl who is so excited that every morning she wakes up asking me "Mommy school today?"  You all are a very special and amazing group of women.

By the way, if I could have I would have told you all this in person, but I would have been crying too much to get any of these words out.

With much love and appreciation,

A loving family 

Slow Separation

Sending my son to a nursery school was a major milestone for our family.  I visited numerous nursery schools before moving to Long Island, and chose MCNS for it's uniqueness,  particularly the open slow separation program.  My son at the age of two was very attached and I wanted his school experience to be fun.  Keeping in mind the way a two year old views the world, I was not willing to sneak out on him or let him cry when I leave.  MCNS is the perfect place for a smooth loving adjustment.  I had no deadline - a time when I had to say goodbye at the gate.  The teachers were amazingly helpful with their input and setting a loving atmosphere.

Today my son runs happily to school and says "I'll see you after the Goodbye Song mommy".  I take him to school today knowing that he is in good hands.  A parent is never turned away and is always welcome to be in class.  I know that he is in a place where he is loved, and where he learns about the world through play and fun activities.  I know he plays in an environment where positive behaviors are reinforced, and negative ones are corrected before they take root.  No words can express my satisfaction with the school, and MCNS will always be cherished in our hearts.

Daniel's Mommy

Wonderful Place

Merrick Community Nursery School has been a wonderful place for my daughter as a student and for me as a parent as well.  When I first went to look at Merrick Community Nursery School, my intention was to find a place for my daughter when she turned 3 the following year, but I was so impressed with the school and my daughter had such a good time there during our visit that I decided to enroll her in the 2 year old program.  It was the best decision I ever made.  The curriculum is age appropriate and teaches while still allowing children to be children.  I was also given the chance to separate from my daughter when I felt she was ready rather than forced to leave her by a set date.

Merrick Community Nursery School lets you be as involved in your child’s education as you want to be, which has been a very rewarding experience for me as a mother.  I love being able to participate and watch her mature and learn new things at school.  The teachers are also fantastic and treat our children as they would their own.  I cannot imagine my daughter at any other school or having any better preparation for kindergarten.

Alexa's Mom

Amazing Teachers

As a parent it is not easy to decide if your two year old is ready to go to school and if your child has any delays that decision can be even harder.  MCNS was the perfect place for my daughter's school career to begin because I was allowed to stay with her for as long as we both needed.  Their view of separation, that there should not be a time limit, was exactly what I was looking for.  It was an amazing opportunity for me to be able to watch as my daughter quickly  adjusted to school, learned to follow the routine and made friends.

MCNS is a special place due to the amazing teachers and the amount of parent involvement.  You walk in everyday and feel welcomed and wanted.  My daughter flourished under Joan's loving care and I could not have made a better decision for her first school experience.

As I write this it is July, both of my daughters are at MCNS Camp having a great time with their "old" friends and making new ones.

Becca's mom

One of a Kind

My son, Devin, has attended MCNS now for two years. As an educator and a mother, I can honestly say that MCNS is truly one of a kind. I have visited numerous nursery programs in the area and no others can compare. MCNS has exceptional teachers that take a developmental approach to learning that insures that children experience the excitement and wonderment of learning on a daily basis. My husband and I are reminded every day of how much Devin learns at MCNS as he recites the lines to a fairy tale play, has conversations with us about eating habits of a walrus or rushes home to tell us about the chicks that hatched at school. I truly believe that Devin will not only be prepared to enter kindergarten, but more importantly he will be a lifelong learner. And for that, we will be forever indebted and grateful!

Devin's Mom

Home Away From Home

My daughter attended Merrick Community Nursery School and Day Camp for three years and now that she has entered kindergarten, I truly believe that MCNS has played a major role in preparing her emotionally and socially for that transition. She absolutely loves school and her new teacher and I believe she harbors that love from being at MCNS since she was two years old. The teachers, parents and children are a close knit community and the children feel that closeness. They feel that school is a safe place; a “home away from home” and that learning is fun. The knowledge she obtained at MCNS was amazing; science, artists, animals, Spanish, field trips, in addition to the nursery school basics. I have no doubt that Ava will thrive in kindergarten and in the future and that MCNS was an important part of that foundation. My son has been in the school and day camp for two years and also loves it. He enjoys playing with the teachers and children and looks forward to going to school. I made a great choice by sending my children to MCNS and will maintain my relationships with the teachers, the school and the friends I have made there for years to come.

Ava and Tyler's Mom

An Appreciative Grandmother

It is often said that ‘one picture is worth 1000 words.” I wish you could have seen my grandson’s face light up when I tell him he has school today. He actually jumps up and down. He is so happy and so am I. The teachers and staff definitely deserve an accolade for their work at MCNS

Rose Russo