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OUTDOOR NURSERY SCHOOL

HISTORY

In the early 1930s, Bertha Belt, a Bank Street College graduate with a commitment to young children,
went door to door in Chevy Chase, Maryland, persuading her neighbors on Meadow Lane that the nursery
school concept was important to a healthy early childhood. The Out-of-Doors School opened in the fall
of 1933 with ten children and two teachers. An indoor-outdoor setting was created in the basement and
backyard of Mrs. Belts home.

In 1954, the school moved to its present site, In The Woods, and today has expanded to include five
preschool classes with a teacher certified by the Maryland State Board of education and an assistant
teacher in each group.

The school occupies an Arts and Crafts, 1910, fourteen room house. Each main room has access to the
outdoors. The 2 acres encircling the house are outdoor classrooms/play yards. While the schools
history goes back over 70 years, the story of its home goes back to the turn of the century. In 1905,
Alexander Graham Bells daughter, Marian, and her husband, the noted horticulturist David Fairchild,
bought 43 acres of land known as Clean Drinking Water on what was then the outskirts of Chevy Chase.
The family enjoyed picnics there, and Mr. Bell had a hut in which he did some of his experiments.

On the present school site, children play and learn among the unusual plants and trees that reflect Dr.
Fairchilds lifelong curiosity about plants. He brought them here from his travels in the Orient to see how
they would fare in this climate. When he determined that the Japanese cherry-blossom trees would do
well here, he invited a boy from each school in the District of Columbia to dig up a tree. They came in the
spring of 1908, single file through the woods, and returned with their trees on the trolley of the Chevy
Chase Land Company that provided their transportation.

Today, the Outdoor Nursery School children dig up and transplant the ancestral seedlings of those
trees in their play yards. They take with them the lasting legacy of preservation, curiosity and
confidence.


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PHILOSOPHY

Outdoor Nursery School supplements the home in meeting the needs of young children by providing an
environment which:

- Helps the child feel confident in a new situation and find his place in the group;
- Encourages creative and constructive activities, with opportunity to explore and experiment
with many different kinds of materials;
- Motivates the child to work out his/her own problems and be an active learner; and,
- Includes equipment planned for vigorous physical activity.

We believe a child is a unique individual who must be allowed to explore the realm of childhood in
keeping with his/her own needs. Therefore, we are alert to the broad development differences due to
age, personality and rates of growth. We provide an interpersonal and physical environment to support
each childs development and learning style. Through play, we help the child develop fundamental
concepts basic to language, reading, mathematics, science and social studies.

Within this framework, we strive to enhance each childs sense of identity and self-worth. We are more
interested in social and emotional progress and in hands-on experiences. We feel that a broad base of varied
experiences with materials, peers and caring adultswithin a safe, but flexible, structureis the best
foundation that can be provided for this age.

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SPECIFIC GOALS

The curriculum is designed to help each child to:

- Feel secure in a group situation, away from home;
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- Experiment with a variety of arts and crafts materials;

- Participate meaningfully in group activities by listening, contributing and cooperating;

- Recognize and assess honestly his/her physical capabilities;

- Recognize that an object may have a specific use or may be adapted to other uses;

- Develop ability in gross motor skills;

- Manipulate puzzles, blocks, tools and toys;

- Realize that the rights of others need not infringe upon his/her own rights;

- Understand that all living creatures have needs;

- Collect, compare and observe components of our natural environment;

- Experience the elements: build a fire, run with the wind, dig the earth, pour water;

- Explore the realm of numbers, letter and words;

- Explore other cultures for similarities and differences; and,

- Understand that respect, trust and responsibility are reciprocal.


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OBJECTIVES

The experienced staff of early childhood educators provides a warm, caring environment. The staff
objectives are to:

- Help the child assess his/her capabilities and cope satisfactorily with new situations so that
he/she can function in a rapidly changing world;

- Expose the child to creative and constructive activities;

- Motivate the child to resolve conflicts in an adequate way;

- Expand awareness of the earth and its flora and fauna; and

- Encourage cognitive growth by activities requiring differentiated individual responses.



PROGRESSION OF PUPILS

Generally, a child progresses to the next level that is within his/her age group. There is a continuous
follow up of each childs placement. Teacher evaluation and teacher/parent/director conferences help
determine any exceptions. The directors makes the final decision.

As part of the childs ongoing experience, each teacher maintains a record of the childs individual
progress. These notes are used as a reference and guide for parent/teacher conferences and school
recommendations. When preparing recommendations for other schools, the students classroom teacher,
as well as other staff members who have had extensive interactions with the child, work collaboratively
to create dynamic picture of the individual.

A childs records are maintained for two years after leaving the school.



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DEVELOPMENTAL AREAS FOR CHILDREN
Your child is observed, evaluated and encouraged in the following areas:
General Attitude and Awareness
-Self
-Others
-Environment

Self-Help Skills

Social-Emotional/Personal Development
-Sense of Self
- Responsibility for Self and Others
- Prosocial Behavior

Cognitive Development
- Learning & Problem Solving
- Logical Thinking
- Representation and Symbolic Thinking

Language /Literacy Skills
-Listening and Speaking
- Reading and Writing

Mathematical & Scientific Thinking

Physical Development
- Fine motor
- Gross motor
- Vision, speech, hearing

Health & Safety Awareness

Social Studies

The Arts
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DISCIPLINE
At Outdoor Nursery School we strive to provide a safe, nurturing and positive environment that
encourages your child to be accepting and supportive of others. We understand that preschoolers may
sometimes use misguided behaviors, as they may have not yet learned what is acceptable. We believe
one of our key roles as teachers is to model the appropriate behaviors and to help teach your child how to
handle conflict. To that end, ONS teachers:
- observe and listen attentively;
- may try to redirect behaviors;
- use the techniques of positive discipline such as teaching children how to negotiate and solve
problems themselves;
- talk about feelings;
- teach that there are consequences to actions.
However, if a childs behavior
- disrupts or distracts from the full benefit of the program;
- requires constant attention from staff;
- inflicts physical or emotional pain on another child or self;
- disrespects others or materials provided by the school;
- constantly disobeys rules of classroom/play yard
we will separate the child(ren) from the situation and provide counsel. We will send an incident report
to the child(ren)s parents which explains the behavior and how it has affected others. The report will
also explain how the incident was resolved. A copy of the report will be kept in the childs Cumulative
Record. We will also speak with you directly at carpool time, or by phone, depending upon the situation.
If the child has a repeat incident, we will ask you to come in and meet with us.
If the behavior continues to be inappropriate, consistent, disruptive and/or dangerous, it may be
necessary to remove your child from the class until we can find a resolution.
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ENROLLMENT
Policy:
A birth date as of August 31 of the entering year is used as a guide and helps determine the appropriate
placement. Children between the ages of 2.6 and 5 are eligible for admission to our nursery school
program. As a general rule, children are placed in their chronological age group. Those who are 2.6 by
August 31 of the entering year are eligible for the beginning group, a 2-day program (ages 2.6 to 3 years).
In addition, there is a 3-day program (ages 3 to 3.6 years) and three 5-day programs (ages 3.6 to 4 years;
4 to 4.6 years; and, 4.6 to 5 years).
Children currently enrolled and their siblings are given priority when applying. Admission invitations
are completed by early February. Children on the waiting list will be notified as openings occur. Those
not admitted from this list must reapply in order to be considered for another year. They do not carry
over to next year.
Outdoor Nursery School is nonsectarian, interracial, and non-political regarding pupils, teachers, and
administrative staff.

Procedure:
Beginning in September for enrollment the following September, parents call the school to arrange for an
appointment to visit while school is in session. We encourage your child to interact with the ONS
children, if he or she feels comfortable, in the ongoing program both indoors and outdoors. Parents
questions are answered and they may fill out an application at that time or return it by mail. This
information, along with staff observation, is used to evaluate the child for appropriate placement.

Special Needs:
The school accepts children with special needs provided that:
- it is determined the child does not need one-on-one attention;
- we receive results of diagnostic assessments;
- the child is receiving special services for his condition elsewhere; and
- the child is placed on a trial basis of one month


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FEES
Applications:
Applications are dated upon completion of the parent/child visit, accompanied by a $60 fee and filed
within the childs age group.
Admission:
Early February, a letter is sent to all parents of children accepted, requiring a deposit of one months
tuition. This deposit applies to the following May tuition and enrolls the child for the school year
(September through May). At the same time, a letter is sent to parents of children placed on the waiting
list for the current year, and will be notified as openings occur.
Tuition (fees are subject to annual review):
2-day program (Mon.Tues.) $280/month $2520/year
3-day program (Weds.Fri.) $420/month $3780/year
5-day program (Mon.Fri.) $695/month $6255/year
School hours for all programs are from 9 am until 11:45 am
Optional Extended Day (Lunch Bunch) is Noon to 2 pm $24/day
Early Drop-Off (8 am) $12/day
Summer Camp (July only, 4 wks., 2 week min., 9 am to 1 pm, Mon.Fri.) $250/week

Refunds and Withdrawals:

Advance tuition deposits and application fees are not refundable. Parents are responsible for the full
tuition regardless of absences (due to illness, vacation, or other reasons). No refund of tuition will be
made if parents withdraw a child. Parents are responsible for the full tuition unless the vacancy is filled
immediately by an incoming child. The new family then becomes responsible for the remainder of the
tuition.

Termination by the School:

Remaining tuition will be waived if a child is asked to leave because it is the directors judgment that:
- our program is unsuited to the childs needs
- the attitude of the parents is uncooperative;
- the childs behavior threatens the physical or mental health of other children in the school; and/or
- parents are delinquent in tuition payments

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS

Cooperation between home and school is an important element in helping a child develop his/her
full potential. The school invites you to visit our busy, creative, happy indoor and outdoor
play/work areas. Staff and children appreciate and look forward to parents helping with field
trips, gardening, carpentry, baking, art, music, science, and other curriculum projects. From room
parent to field trip driver, to being a substitute within the classroom, there are many ways for you
to assist. The addition of parental input to our open-ended program helps a child gather meaning
from the world. He/she develops skills of observation, listening, and questioning. The school
strongly encourages you to join us with your time and talents to expand our childrens horizons.

Parent Orientation Night: A group meeting with your childs teachers is held before the new
school year begins in September. This affords an opportunity for classroom parents to meet.
Teachers goals, daily routines, discipline, observations, conferences, school calendar and field
trips are among the items discussed.

Parent-Teacher Communication: Updated information, newsletters and general class happenings
will be sent home with children. General communication between school and home is sent home
by notes in a clear, zippered pocket we attach to each childs backpack. Personal communication
is handled by phone, email or in person. Each teacher will inform parents of her time preference
for receiving and returning phone calls. We do appreciate if you do not come in at the beginning of
the day or during school to speak with a teacher.

Snacks: While we keep a stocked refrigerator and pantry for our students mid-morning snack, we
invite parents to sign up to bring in healthful snacks from home for their childs class. Children
just love it when its their week! (Ideas include: hummus, whole grain crackers, fresh or dried
fruit, veggies, cheese cubes, or sticks, milk, etc.) We will let you know if there are any food
allergies in your childs class. Please attend to allergies in preparing birthday snacks, as well.

School Picnic: Twice yearly, in October and May, we gather for a family picnic on the school
grounds from 5 pm to 7 pm. Parents may order pizza in advance from the school, or pack their
own picnic basket. Water, popsicles and baked goods (which families donate), as well as Outdoor
Nursery School merchandise, are for sale at the event.

Auction: Every spring parents are invited to gather inside the school for our big fundraising event,
the ONS Auction. This is a wonderful way to socialize with other parents while really helping the
school. Unlike other auctions, this is a laid back and comfortable affair. The items include projects
made by each class, in addition to class baskets, and generously donated items from ONS families.
We welcome any donations and/or ideas and can always use help in planning and organizing this
festive event.

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Observations: Parents are asked to make blind observations twice during the year. In fall,
beginning in October, and in spring, beginning in March, we invite parents to watch their child at
work and at play in one of the observation yards through windows and doors of adjacent
classrooms. While the child is unaware of their presence, parents can see how the child functions
in the group.

Conferences: Each observation is followed by a parent/teacher conference. Conference days are
scheduled on a Friday in November and May. Parents may request a conference at any time that it
will helpful to the understanding of, or progress of, their child. There is no school on conference
day, and we ask that you find care for your child, as we are not staffed to watch children that day.
If you choose a before, or after school conference on an alternate day, you are welcome to utilize
either early drop-off ($12) or lunch bunch ($24). Of course, parents may request a conference at
any time that it will helpful to the understanding of, or progress of, the child.

Staff Appreciation Lunches: In early December and early May, the staff is treated to a special
luncheon during their monthly staff meeting which is hosted by the parents. This is a wonderful
way to give back to the ones who so tenderly care for our children.







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APPLICATION


Name of Child _________________________________________________________________

Date of Birth _________________________________ Gender_________________________

Parent Name (1)_______________________________ Occupation______________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________

Telephone (cell)___________________ (work)__________________ (home)_______________

Email_________________________________

Parent Name (2)_______________________________ Occupation______________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________

Telephone (cell)___________________ (work)__________________ (home)_______________

Email ___________________________________

Siblings names/ages ___________________________________________________________

Favorite play activities __________________________________________________________

Words that best describe your child________________________________________________

Previous group play experience ___________________________________________________

Physician_____________________________________ Phone__________________________

Allergies _____________________________________ Medication ______________________

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Any further information that may contribute to a better understanding of your child?


























Instructions:

Please return this form and the non-refundable $60 application fee to:
Outdoor Nursery School, 8922 Spring Valley Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.

Date Received ________________________


The Outdoor Nursery School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights,
privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies,
admission policies, scholarships and other school-administered programs.
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18 September 2014