Openings in Infant, 3 1/2 to 5s, and Kindergarten
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Openings in Infant, 3 1/2 to 5s, and Kindergarten *
Play based learning since 1969
St. Mark’s Nursery School and Kindergarten is a non-profit organization and NAEYC accredited early childhood program of excellence. Each child’s social and emotional development is supported above all else, through opportunities to PLAY. The experience children and their families have with us is strengthened by the diversity of our community. We welcome and affirm all children and families, and honor all gender identities, abilities, races, ethnic and national origins, sexual orientations, religions or none at all. We do not teach religious doctrine. As a cherished reflection of the St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, we nurture each child’s spiritual growth through loving relationships and fostering a deep sense of wonder in the natural world.
“When it came time for me to go back to work, we looked for a place that would provide the same love and care to our daughter that she would get at home. The teachers at St. Mark’s really understand toddlers - they provide a safe, caring, nurturing environment, where the needs of the children come first. ”
Within our play based environments,
children grow through experiences with…
Music
“The first 3 years of life is the most intensive period for speech and language development. Reading, talking, and singing regularly with young children from birth stimulates brain development. This stimulation in turn builds language, literacy, and a child’s motivation to learn.”-American Academy of Pediatrics. At St. Mark’s our two on-staff musicians visit all classrooms to infuse each week with both familiar and new music for children to enjoy. Children see and touch the guitar as they listen to the music played, and engage with rhythm, rhyme, humor and music from other cultures. In addition, children in older classes look forward to weekly “band practice” with Kid Kazooey where Kevin creates a unique and irresistible atmosphere to begin learning musical vocabulary and concepts. But the music doesn’t stop when our musicians leave the room; St. Mark’s teachers sing (and dance) throughout the day as they appreciate the value of music to deepen connections, inspire play, and move with children smoothly through transitions.
Outdoor Play
The benefits of children being outdoors in green spaces are plentiful: improved physical health, reduced stress, better sleep, improved social-emotional outcomes, increased attention and more emotional regulation to name a few. Our play yards are some of the best in town, and serve as our outdoor classrooms. They are continually curated for children to experience our natural world observing and interacting with plants, bugs and other elements, and for children to learn more about the potential and limitations of their bodies. We allow children to climb and jump from areas they feel comfortable, encouraging them to think about whether they feel safe rather than warning them to be careful. The options are endless to practice balance, velocity, strength and engage in solitary or reciprocal play. When parents pick up their children at the end of the school day, they are found riding bikes, cooking in our mud kitchens, digging in sandboxes and running to their next idea.
Literacy
There are over 1,000 titles within our newly dedicated Marcia Lloyd Children's Library! The St. Mark’s on-staff librarian works closely with our teachers and Education Coordinator to ensure we have books that are representative of the diverse world we live in. Children are read to at every point in our day- inside, outside, at snack and during play. St. Mark’s teachers love to be interrupted while reading; this is a sign the children are actively engaged with the literary experience. With children, we talk about pictures, notice words in print, help tell the story together, and retell stories when books aren’t around. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that “Reading regularly with young children stimulates optimal patterns of brain development and strengthens parent (adult)-child relationships at a critical time in child development, which, in turn, builds language, literacy, and social emotional skills that last a lifetime.”
Positive Discipline
Caregivers who visit our classrooms often compliment us on the way teachers talk to children. Using “positive discipline” strategies gathered from the experts in our field including Jane Nelson and Dr. Becky Bailey and over 50 years of our school’s teaching experience, St. Mark’s teachers are trained to engage with children respectfully. Teachers prioritize connection as a basis for cooperation, and do not use punishment to correct behavior. We partner with parents to support each child’s developmental bumps in the road by assuming positive intent and recognizing that children are still learning. Kind, helpful behavior is modeled, practiced, and noticed throughout the day. Social and emotional development is our number one priority. Elementary teachers have commented that they know who the St. Mark’s kids are by their prosocial behavior and communication.
Creative Expression
At St. Mark’s Nursery School and Kindergarten, we celebrate the artistic process over the finished product. Teachers provide children with materials for their journey, and the destination is often a surprise to everyone! Here, it’s ok for children to get messy or use items in unconventional ways. Collections of “loose parts” can be found indoors and out for children to engage in open-ended creative play where their imaginations can run wild. Following the child’s lead, teachers modify the environment to meet children’s curiosity, interests and creative exploits. We especially enjoy paint, elements of nature, cardboard boxes, building materials, and anything we can sink our hands into such as shaving cream or our homemade play doh. Every child has something inside to express; at St. Mark’s children create with their words and bodies through art, music and play.
“Our family is so grateful for the incredible kindergarten experience St. Mark’s provided our daughter this year. She has grown so much - socially, emotionally, creatively, and academically. They provide a nurturing environment for children to explore their own unique interests while encouraging new experiences and learning opportunities. ”
Nursery School
Our Nursery School offers programming for children four months through five years. Each classroom maintains small student to teacher ratios, and offers different programming options to accommodate the needs of families and children. All classes begin at 9:30 and end at 12. Classes are staffed by a collaborative teaching team who model cooperation, form strong relationships with the children and facilitate the creation of a classroom community.
Children who attend our nursery school are given the freedom to play, have fun, and take risks with support from loving adults who are committed to honoring this important period of development. Teachers help children to communicate, problem solve and resolve conflicts with increasing independence.
Throughout the year, parent participants, IU Field Experience students and vetted community volunteers join teaching teams, contributing to the care children receive and the variety of adults that children have the opportunity to interact with and learn from.
Kindergarten
Our Kindergarten is one of the few half day programs available in Bloomington, offering children an alternative opportunity to grow and learn at their own pace. The kindergarten day begins at 9 am and goes to 12:30. Two teachers work together to facilitate an emergent learning curriculum for up to 14 students. An emergent curriculum is one that is decided by the children’s interests as they develop.
In our child led program, teachers listen to the children throughout the year and collaboratively decide on topics of inquiry. As teachers facilitate discovery and exploration of topics, kindergarten students learn skills while participating in project work, centers, and small and large group time. The skills targeted during these activities meet and exceed the Indiana State standards as well as the requirements and expectations of most first grade programs throughout our area.
Every day, children are given multiple opportunities to engage in free play, where many do their most important work. During play, children learn and practice social skills and communication skills with guidance from their teachers when needed.
Kindergarten is a very special year in a child’s life. Many people consider kindergarten the first step of the child’s academic career. We consider this year a continuation of what we hope will be a lifetime love of learning and an important year of social and emotional growth.
Calendar of Events
Our school follows the MCCSC school calendar for holidays, breaks and weather related closures. Additionally, there is no school on Good Friday. Some of our school wide events are intended for St. Mark’s families only and some are our school’s gift to the greater Bloomington community.
Letter from the Director :
Welcome,
At St. Mark’s Nursery School and Kindergarten, teachers empower children to follow their own interests, make choices, form friendships, and express themselves. When a child joins one of our classes, they are accepted for who they are, lovingly tended to, and encouraged to bloom. St. Mark’s children grow socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically as they develop relationships with teachers and peers, explore their own creativity and wonder, and take risks within safe, inclusive environments designed for them.
We believe that a young child’s work is play. Through play, and supported by intentional and loving caregivers, children engage in experiential learning. Within these experiences, they have opportunities to build curiosity, resilience, and empathy. Children learn about who they are and how they wish to engage with the world around them.
In our community, mistakes or mishaps are valued as opportunities to learn. Conflicts are accepted by teachers as a part of life. Children are supported during conflict with empathy and an understanding of child development and brain development. With help, when needed, to identify problems, communicate, and find solutions, children develop the foundational skills necessary for developing healthy relationships now and later in life. Teachers trust children during this process and as a result, children learn to trust themselves and others.
Within our parenting support and education classes and during our yearly community events, families are given opportunities to connect with one another and form lasting relationships. They often leave our school having gained insight about themselves and how they wish to parent, and with a larger family of friends.
We’re in this together and we can’t wait to meet you!
Kate Morris, M.A. CCC-SLP
Director
Contact
We’d love to connect with you!
Email
school@smnurseryschool.org
Phone
(812) 333-4007