Parents of WNNS alumni are invited to share their views on the experience of being a part of WNNS. Please fill out a Parent Testimonial Questionnaire or just write down your comments and mail or email them to the school.
Our WNNS Experience: When Brian and I were looking for a place for our youngest daughter Saoirse to spend her early education years we knew exactly what we were hoping to find. Years prior, our older daughter won a spot in the City & Country School in NYC and we were in the unique position at that time to be able to afford to send her there.
The City & Country School and WNNS both have curriculums based on the illustrious Bank Street philosophy which, loosely translates to mean that we understood our child(ren) would be using open-ended materials in a safe and nurturing setting that was bright, clean and balanced in its flow of daily play and learning activities.
The culture of the community as the classroom of life also figures fairly prominently in this philosophy and resonates very strongly with us. At the root of our parenting our daughters are reminded regularly that our actions as individuals affect the larger whole of our shared humanity. Finding an early education environment that mirrored our philosophy was critical to making our choice.
WNNS celebrates to the letter what we hold as one of the most pressing agendas in parenting, which is teaching children the importance of respect and tolerance in their interaction with others as well as how to be completely comfortable in expecting the same for themselves.
My husband became aware on a few occasions of some very typical grabbing incidents between our daughter and another student. In one instance a part of her lunch was snatched causing her a bit of stress evidenced by her recounting of it at dinner that night. I asked her how she felt when he took her cookie and she said, “It made me nervous, but Rachel came to me and helped me not to be nervous and said another time when I have a cookie it may not happen again.” Then I asked her if that helped her to feel better and she said, “Yes, it did. And I can also say,‘you have to ask me first’.”
We couldn’t have hoped for a better resolve.
- the Sullivan-Shields Family
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My daughter, Jo, attended WNNS for three years, between the ages of two and four. I consider these the most important educational years of her life. At WNNS, Jo developed the basic skills that she uses everyday: the ability to negotiate social relationships, to confidently face intellectual and social challenges, and to embrace her growing independence joyously. It was at WNNS that Jo learned how to be happy amongst her peers and developed a love of school. These skills did not come easily to Jo. She achieved them with the help of the WNNS’ teachers who worked with her and with me and her dad to help her adjust to life outside of the home. I still keep the written summaries of our parent-teacher conferences, as they are a perceptive and in-depth portrait of who my daughter was during those years. I am very grateful that Jo had the opportunity to attend WNNS.
- Elena Cunningham
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1) My daughter Shakuntala was almost three and starting WNNS. It was her first week and she was fine to be left in the classroom. I waited in the parents’ room. About 15 minutes later Katey brought her to me. Shakuntala needed me. Katey stood quietly by while my daughter and I hugged and I assured her that I was right there. After a few minutes we walked back to the classroom. She went in happily. She and I were given all the time we needed. We were not rushed. All her teachers were understanding and kind and never pressuring or pushing. We separated in our own time feeling supported by the school.
2) In her ongoing development, Shakuntala refers to WNNS as the school that she wants to return to, The school that was the best. She felt so comfortable, safe and secure at WNNS. It helps her through the challenges that she faces at her new school where she does not yet feel at home.
As a parent at WNNS I felt that I was part of a great community of parents. I felt that we were all on the same page, the same wavelength in many ways in regards to our children and their education. I felt that I could relax and let my child go. That is saying so much. At WNNS I could just leave with the COMPLETE TRUST that my daughter was in great hands and in a very loving place – a place where she could grow and be nurtured.
The quality that differentiates WNNS from other pre- schools is that the school allows each child to develop and grow at his or her own individual pace. There’s no pressure to be like the others. The emphasis is on play and enjoying themselves. They play with natural toys and elements ie; water, sand. They are not pressured to learn things at an early age when they are not really ready for it.
- Philippa Wooley
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WNNS is the best first school experience that I could have given my daughter. It is a warm and fuzzy school that does not over stimulate or overwhelm, it is perfect in its simplicity. I could not have found another school that was sweeter or more community based, unless I moved out to the country. The teachers really pay attention to a child’s individual needs, it was amazing to me how much energy and thought was put into my daughter’s achievements. The parent conferences would involve detailed stories about some of the small accomplishments and amusing social interactions that developed on a particular day. WNNS has a school night where parents that have children already in grade school,come to talk about their school choices. This night was so helpful in making a decision on a school for my daughter. My daughter, who is now in first grade, attends Children’s Workshop School in the East Village. Five children from her class at WNNS are in her class this year at CWS. The children all have a close bond, it makes me happy to see them all still together. Once my son becomes school age, I will send him to WNNS as well.
- Bari Franklin, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
