I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to the start of nursery school for my two-year-old. Not because he’s a genius and needs to have his IQ tested with play-doh and glue, but because I’ve been here twice before and it’s best for everyone. While we’ve enjoyed many easy pajama mornings and at least as many days looking at all the interesting things in Verona Park, the simple truth is it’s time. For both of us.
This round though is a little different. While I’ve lived in Verona for over eight years, both of my older children went to nursery school in a neighboring town. While a great experience, I appreciate and welcome the value of keeping my youngest in town to make friends with other kids who could be in the same elementary school with him in another three years.
But I am almost behind the eight ball. I should have started making phone calls in December when I was more focused on getting to Toys ‘R’ Us by 8:30 a.m. I’m now focused on checking out nursery schools and I invite you to follow me as I go. I’ll try to ask the questions you’d ask if you were there, from hours and costs to class sizes and kids-to-teacher ratios.
In the meantime, here are the nursery school numbers you need if you are in the same boat as I am:
- Our Lady of the Lake (3 years by 10/1): (973)-239-1160;
- Community Montessori Academy: (973) 239-3999;
- Verona Weekday Nursery (3 year s by 10/1): (973) 857-9504;
- Creative Beginnings: (973) 239-2242;
- Children’s House: (973) 857-1234;
- Robin’s Nest Two/ Community Nursery School: (973) 239-3902
In my own search I have found that most schools are open to setting up individual appointments for tours and meeting the directors, but there are also a couple of scheduled open houses.
- Weekday Nursery School, which is located in First Presbyterian Church at 10 Fairview Avenue, will be having an open house on January 27 from 12:30 -2 p.m.
- Creative Beginnings, located in the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit at 36 Gould Street will have its open house on January 23 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Our Lady of the Lake, located at 26 Lakeside Avenue, has four open houses scheduled. January 21 from 7-8:30 p.m., January 24 from 1:30-3:30 p.m., February 1 and 2 from 9-11 a.m.
[mappress]
Both of my children attended creative beginnings. My youngest will graduate this year and begin kindergarten at Laning in September. I highly recommend this school. The staff is so warm, friendly and caring. Registration for next year just began last week.. It is a very welcoming environment. You can stop in at any time to see the owner, Kim McDermott, and she will answer any questions you may have. The hours of operation are from 8:30-3:15. You can choose half days or full days, with the option to stay for lunch..Children must be at least 2 1/2 when they begin.
Both of my children went to the Weekday Nursery School in Verona. I was extremely pleased with this school. There were 3 loving teachers who both my children adored. I loved the fact that there was only one class going each day, my children both needed that structure. The teachers really took the time to work with the children daily. I enjoyed the adorable Halloween, Christmas and year-end assemblies. My favorite day was the Mother’s Day Tea. The teachers helped the children create beautiful gifts and each child acted as a “waiter/waitress” to serve their mom bagels and drinks. The children were so proud to do this. It was events like these, that made Weekday extra special to my family. The hours of operation for 3yr olds are Tues, Thurs 9am – 12pm and for 4yr olds are Mon, Wed, Fri from 9-12pm.
I totally recommend Weekday Nursery School in Verona. They will be having an Open House on January 27th from 12:30 to 2 pm for next school year. Our son is attending his second year there and he is more than ready to start kindergarten in September. Weekday’s programs are fun and dynamic. Their teachers are warm and very talented. They have a lot of experience working with kids and we certainly appreciate the peace of mind knowing that our son is in good hands.
We absolutely LOVE Weekday Nursery School! We began our search for preschools last winter for our daughter Caroline (our oldest, so it was a new experience for us). We took her with us to each school for any open house / tours. The minute we walked into Weekday, we all knew it was perfect. The bright, cheerful room was so inviting and the teachers were beyond welcoming. My daughter felt so comfortable there, she didn’t want to leave at the end of our visit. I knew it was the right choice! As an educator myself, I am so pleased with the instruction Caroline is receiving at Weekday. She has learned so much already, it amazes us! We couldn’t be happier with the program. The teachers really go above and beyond!!!
I just wanted to thank you for posting all of this. I, too, have 2 older children who went to preschool in Cedar Grove, and I am now looking to put my almost 3-year-old in a Verona preschool so she can meet other kids from Verona before kindergarten. I was curious if you have any information on Executive Kids. I know it’s daycare/preschool. I will be going later this week to see it, but I was just wondering if you’ve heard anything about it.
Thanks!
Hi There,
Was just catching up on your search for a Preschool & was wondering what school you ended up picking?
Thx!
Steph
In the end, I did not choose a school in Verona, but that’s not to say I didn’t find one I liked.
> The reason I was looking for a new school in Verona was two fold: (1)I did not want to schlep to Montclair as I had for 5 years and (2)I thought it would be good for my youngest to make some friends in town before entering the public schools. After all of my visits and tours, I felt that Creative Beginnings would have been the best match for my son’s personality and my schedule.
> However, I went back to the school where my two older children went just to be sure and when I walked through the doors it was like coming home. I already knew the director and many of the teachers. I understood the ins and out of car line and the food allergy policy. Even more than that though, my son ran through the hallways like he’s been there a hundred times before- which he had for the first 18 months of his life.
> So, he will be going to Union Congregational Nursery in Montclair and will make new friends in Verona when he starts Kindergarten in 3 years- just like his two older siblings.