Early Childhood Program (Nursery Half or Full Day - Senior Kindergarten)

Nurturing Joyful Learners

We believe that children learn best through play. It is through play that young learners make sense of the world around them, discover who they are within the context of their world, and begin to make meaningful connections that last a lifetime. As part of their classroom community, our early learners enjoy thoughtfully designed learning experiences, as well as inspiring materials that encourage them to use their imaginations, socialize with their classmates, and express themselves through language.

St. Hilda's & St. Hugh's was my home for most of my childhood in New York City. My deepest and truest memories of safety, love, and learning came from the warmth and encouragement I received as a child. My belief that I could be just who I was was strengthened and nurtured by faculty and chaplains who believed in me, and believed in community. As a young parent in New York City, I now know just how important that sense of warmth and family is. It's not just a sense--it's real. Coming back to see my former teachers fall in love with and care for my daughter has been one of the most rewarding moments of my life. Seeing my daughter run to greet Ms. Connor in the mornings just as I did continues to fill me with joy and awe. I am beyond grateful for this community being my anchor at every stage of my life.

Lucy, ’03, P’34

Here in Nursery, curriculum is everything that happens in the classroom. All aspects of our day - from clean-up, to morning meeting, to time on the playdeck - are important building blocks for future learning.

Marisa Staples, Faculty since 2000

Five-year-old children learn by doing. We try to engage our students in as many hands-on activities as we can, allowing children to physically test out their ideas about the world and witness the results in concrete form.

Alesia Harder, Faculty since 1996

A woman and two children captivated by a book, enjoying a special moment of reading together in an early childhood program

Enrichment, Exposure, Exploration

Our Early Childhood curriculum offers a rich expanse of learning opportunities within the classroom, and taps into the wealth of educational resources our school provides to our older students. Music, Art, World Language (French, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish), Greenhouse, and Movement offer important opportunities for our youngest learners to explore the world around them and uncover new interests and passions outside the preschool classroom in a variety of learning spaces.

A Lifelong Love of Learning

Early Childhood students become immersed into the culture of the broader school community from the moment they arrive. We take great pride in the fact that a large number of our graduating students come to us as two year olds. Nurturing students from toddlerhood through adolescence is nothing short of magical, and the Early Childhood program is where this joyous journey begins.