Bellevue Heights Nursery School

Bellevue Heights Nursery School is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian preschool which was founded in 1972 in response to a need in the Strathmore area for a quality morning nursery school program. Over the years, our preschool has grown in size and stature, yet the philosophy of our program remains much the same as it was when it was first created. At BHNS, we celebrate the preschool child’s world of learning. The philosophy of our preschool is based on the premise that preschoolers learn through playing. They learn how to get along with others, how to share, how to take turns, how to use words to express their feelings and needs, and how to act when they’re in a group. Because we recognize and cherish the uniqueness of our students, BHNS provides every child the opportunity to experience a wide range of activities every day. We tap into the young child’s curiosity, talents and imagination to encourage him or her to explore, to interact, to discover, and to develop new ideas, concepts, skills and friendships.

The staff at Bellevue Heights Nursery School begins each day at 9:00 a.m. with a Welcome Circle. This Circle Time is also a great opportunity to celebrate “Classmates of the Week,” meet special visitors and learn sign language and songs. It is followed by 30 minutes of Large Motor Time on our preschool playground, our expansive grounds outdoors, or in our indoor multipurpose room or “gym.” Our students are then split into three “Small Groups” and spend the next half hour experiencing an activity with a group of their peers, developing various skills, and benefitting from a great deal of one-on-one attention from their teachers. Small Group Time is followed by Snack Time, a musical or storytelling transition, and Large Group Time. During Large Group, the children are introduced to activities they can explore during the remainder of the morning. This remaining e morning time is spent in Free Play, when students rotate freely between our three rooms, the Art Room, the Quiet Room and the Large Room, enjoying choices between numerous toys, learning games and puzzles, art projects, sensory table activities and dramatic play/thematic materials. Free Play Time is followed by Clean-up Time and then our Goodbye Circle and dismissal at 12:00 Noon. Woven into the regular daily program are special field trips off-site and special guests who are invited to our preschool. We also “spice things up” with theme days or weeks, celebrating Pajama Day, Beach Day and Favorite Book Week, to name just a few. We’re a busy, active nursery school!

Bellevue Heights Nursery School is very fortunate to have an educated, experienced, caring team of teachers, specialists and support staff. The year 2001 marked the beginning of Bellevue Heights Nursery School’s collaboration with Jowonio School, also a private, non-profit preschool, which serves children with disabilities and children without disabilities in an inclusive, enriched environment. Several members of the Jowonio staff joined the BHNS (regular education) teaching team, including a special education lead teacher, several special education teaching assistants, a speech language pathologist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a family support liaison and a program support teacher. This group of specialists works hand-in-hand with our Bellevue Heights teaching team to provide support to our students with special needs.

BHNS encourages parent and family participation and involvement in our many special events and fundraisers throughout the year. Parents are also invited to visit and help out during the program day, to learn more about childhood development through workshops and seminars, to have teacher conferences, and to offer suggestions and have input into our program. In addition, several parents are chosen each school year to become Parent Liaisons to our Board of Directors, the governing body of our preschool.

Our Students…

We offer a two-day program for three-year-olds on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings, and a three-day program for four-year-olds on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Registration applications for returning students are accepted after December 1stof each calendar year; applications for new students are accepted beginning January 15thof each year. Please Note: children must be three years old by December 1stof the school year they are registering for, and must be fully toilet trained.

For more information about registration and fees, or to arrange a personal tour of our preschool, please contact our Nursery School Directors at 475-2344 (or leave a voicemail message) or contact them at bhnsstaff@yahoo.com. Our mailing address is: 2112 South Geddes Street, Syracuse, New York 13207.

Thank you for visiting our webpage and for your interest in our very special preschool program!