St. Edmunds

Nursery School

Kids at the Christmas Pageant

"St. Edmund's Nursery School extends a very warm welcome to you as a family and to your children as individuals. The entire staff of St. Edmund's Nursery School is committed to providing each child with a most positive preschool experience. Our primary goal is to provide physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual growth to your child by presenting a program rich in both developmental and academic experiences.

"Please feel free to come and visit me at any time. The door to my office is always open. It would be my pleasure to help you in any way that I can."

Darlene Porter
Head of School
Phone: 626-792-7742

Download Current Admissions Policy

St. Edmund's Nursery School Parent Handbook for 2009-'10 is available: Click here to download the PDF

We would love to give you a tour: Tours of the school are available any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday between 9:30 and 11:00am. Please bring your child with you!

St. Edmund's Nursery School was established in 1957 by parishioners eager to provide a caring, Christian environment for the educational formation and nurture of young children. The school is licensed by the State of California , and by the Diocese of Los Angeles (Episcopal), with the School Board as a subcommittee of the Vestry of St. Edmund's Church. Admission is open to pre-school children without regard to race, religion, denominational affiliation, or ancestry.

The Mission Statement

"The Mission of St. Edmund's Nursery School is to offer young children an outstanding learning environment and an excellent foundation for future academic, social, and spiritual development. Emphasizing basic skills, values, manners and an inclusive religious curriculum, St. Edmund's Nursery School strives to nurture knowledgeable, responsible, and caring children well-prepared to meet the challenges of family, school and community life."

Program

St. Edmund's Nursery School is neither "structured" nor "open". Freedom of choice, within limits, is encouraged, as is each child's active participation in regularly scheduled activities. The school has found this approach provides the best framework within which its children can learn and grow.

Children are grouped into classes by age. Class sizes are small, the 3 year old classes are limited to eight children with a teacher and assistant. Classes for 3 year olds are on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as a Monday, Wednesday and Friday class for older three year olds. The 4 year old classes attend Monday, Wednesday and Friday and are limited to 15 children with a teacher and assistant. There is also a 5- Day class for older 4 year olds limited to 15 children with a teacher and assistant as well. We are also proud to offer a 5 day a week Pre-K class for the child needing an additional year of preschool."

During a typical morning at St. Edmund's each child is exposed to a variety of activities and opportunities. Arts and crafts projects and play with put-together toys promote small muscle skills, while large muscle coordination is enhanced through outside play on wheel toys and climbing equipment. Role playing, whether in organized dramatic play or on the child's own in the playhouse, is encouraged, too, as are discussions with teachers and classmates about how things work and how things grow. To develop an ear for rhythm and melody, the children sing, listen to records, and are exposed to "live" music. The day does not end without some time having been set aside for listening quietly to stories.

Most importantly, the children spend their morning in a warm, affirming atmosphere with experienced teachers who can help them understand more about their world, their classmates, and themselves.

Goals

• To create a child's world in a positive atmosphere, where the individual and group needs of young children can be met.
• To increase each child's understanding and acceptance of self and others.
• To increase the children's awareness and knowledge of the world around them.to give them the freedom to discover the wonder of nature!
• To establish and maintain a strong, mutually beneficial relationship between the school and its families.
• To share information and support activities helpful to parents.
• To foster an environment wherein the children can feel comfortable about God and learn about God's love for them.

Enrollment Information

1. To enter the School in September, a child must be at least three years old, on or before December 2, 2008, and must be potty-trained.
2. The School offers a Tuesday/Thursday session for 3-year olds (3 years old by Dec. 2); Monday/Wednesday/Friday session for 3-year olds (3 years old by July 15th); Monday/Wednesday/Friday session for 4-year olds (4 years old by Dec. 2); a five-day session for 4-year olds (4 years old by Dec. 2) and a Pre-Kindergarten session for 5-year olds (5 years old by Dec. 2).
3. All first time applicants are encouraged to visit the School during the following days and times:. Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday between the hours of 9:30 and 11:00 am. We request that you bring your child with you.

Additional information is available in PDF format for printing

Qualifications for Parishioner Preference in Enrollment to the School

Because special entrance privileges are extended to St. Edmund's Church families it is important for us to be clear about the specifics of church membership in relation to the Nursery School.

Admissions priorities are as follows:

• Returning students.
• Children of Church members in good standing for at least a year (active, attending, and pledging).
• In order to qualify for special entrance privileges as a Parish Member applying or returning to Nursery School, applicants must be active and pledging members of the Church for at least one year prior to making application to the school
• To become a church member, please request a new member form and a pledge card from the parish office. Indicate that you wish to become a member, and be entered into the Parish Register as a new member.
• If you have been an active member of another Episcopal Church (or, if out of country, another Anglican Church), request a Transfer of Membership to be sent to St. Edmund's.
• It is not necessary to become a Confirmed Episcopalian prior to becoming a member of St. Edmund's, though confirmation is the usual course taken by serious adult members who have not yet become Episcopalians.
• Active membership involves Sunday attendance and participation in the life of the parish.
• The Nursery School administration consults the Parish administrator each year at admission time to determine whether returning student families who have asked for special entrance privileges under the Parish Membership clause continue in active status.
• Siblings of current or former students.
• The children of alumni.
• All other students.