4K Program

At Meeting House Nursery School, we believe that children learn much of what they need to know through play; their play is their work. We offer a dynamic, enriching play-based 4K program that celebrates and challenges each child, and fosters their curiosity, self-confidence and a love for discovery. 

Details

  • Small class sizes:  maximum 1:10 teacher/child ratio (MMSD school sites will have maximum of 1:18)
  • All 4K teachers at MHNS are Department of Instruction (DPI) licensed to teach 4K and hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree.
  • Continuity of care and honoring attachments — children can remain in a familiar place with familiar teachers
  • Teachers assemble a portfolio for each student demonstrating their learning and growth throughout the year.

Curriculum

  • Our 4K program focuses on language arts and literacy, science and math, fine motor abilities like writing, social skills, and transitioning to five-year-old kindergarten
  • Play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum based on Wisconsin Early Childhood Learning Standards
  • The daily schedule includes free choice, group time, outside play/large motor time, snack time, and music & movement

Options

  • You may enroll your child in one of three available 4k programs:
    • AM: Monday – Friday morning (9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
    • PM: Tuesday – Friday afternoon (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.)
    • Full Day Program: Monday – Friday (9 a.m.- 4 p.m.)
  • Tuition rates are based on your child’s enrollment in MMSD 4k and choosing Meeting House as your community site. Additional fees (M-F AM and Full Day) are due to the built in extended programming your child receives beyond what MMSD offers at their school sites. 
  • You may also enroll your child in any of our Extended Care programs
Advantages of  full day 4k
  • Increase literacy and numeracy skills
  • Enhance social emotional awareness and motor skills
  • Full day preschoolers outperform half-day preschoolers in literacy & numeracy and these effects are sustained through first grade. (Robin, Amp, Frede, 2006)
  • Smaller teacher to child ratio

Requirements

  • Your child must be four (4) on or before September 1 to be eligible for enrollment.

Camp Meeting House

Camp Meeting House is a fun, exciting, summer experience. Our camp program holds true to our “learning through play” philosophy as small groups of children gather on our playground and spend their time outside. Children gather on our playground for art activities, creative movement, group games, and nature study.  There will be LOTS of water play, featuring our “mud kitchen”.

CAMP 2025 planning is underway! Registration will begin in March. 

Fees:
Cost per Session: $250
Total due at registration and is non-refundable.

Sessions:

Week 1; June 16-19
AM Session: 9 am – 12 pm
PM Session: 1- 4 pm

Week 2; June 23-26
AM Session: 9 am – 12 pm
PM Session: 1- 4 pm

 

Details

  • Registration will start early March, get on our communication list for updates on registration.
  • Each session meets Monday-Thursday.
  • If camp session is not held due to low enrollment, refunds will be issued for that session.
  • Register for any combination of sessions that works for your schedule.
  • Children must be 3 years old by June 1st.
  • Ration Teacher to Student is 1:10
  • Families who enroll for more than one session will receive priority.

For more information, contact Meeting House Nursery School at 608-233-9776 or Office@MeetingHouseNurserySchool.org

Extended Programs

Every family’s needs are unique. At Meeting House Nursery School, we understand and strive to offer a variety of schedules to support our families. If you have any questions please contact Devon Zuleger at 608-233-9776 to discuss the options.

AM Extended
8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.
This is a multiage group of children lead by one of our classroom teachers. AM Extended meets in one of our classrooms (not necessarily in your child’s regular classroom). Permanent spaces can be scheduled in this program. Limited drop-in space is available upon request by calling the office. Please note, children must be 3-years-old or older to participate in extended care programming.

Lunch Bunch
End of AM program/12pm-1:00 p.m.
Children bring their own lunch and the school provides milk. Lunch Bunch can be signed up for on a permanent basis or used on a drop-in basis when space is available. Please note, children must be 3-years-old or older to participate in extended care programming.

Our Philosophy

Purpose and Philosophy:

Meeting House Nursery School provides the preschool child with an educationally sound program in an atmosphere of warmth, friendliness, and freedom. We offer opportunities for exploration, experimentation, and inquiry while encouraging curiosity and expression of ideas. We accept each child as an individual, helping the child grow in many dimensions.

Program Focus:

The teachers plan a program that is developmentally appropriate, focusing on the “whole child” in terms of their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Brief definitions of these developmental areas are:

  • Social: how the child interacts with other children and adults and their environment
  • Emotional: how the child feels about themself and the ways the child accepts and expresses personal feelings and ideas
  • Cognitive: the thinking skills that are needed to catalog new information, formulate ideas and solve problems
  • Physical: the awareness and control of the physical body that the child acquires through the five senses, rest, exercise, and nutrition

Development in these four areas occurs simultaneously. Together they form the foundation for life-long human development.