Program Overview

Good Shepherd Creative Play nursery school is a Community Outreach program of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. We are a non-profit, non-denominational cooperative nursery school serving Pearl River and the surrounding New York and New Jersey communities. Creative Play encourages socialization and relaxed learning in a Christian atmosphere.

We believe every 3 & 4 year old child should have the opportunity to participate in the social and academic experiences of preschool. Our staff consists of warm, caring experienced administrators, teachers and aides who are dedicated to the children in their care.

The cooperative concept of our school involves parents as active participants in your child's educational experience. As a participant in your child's classroom and serving on our special committees, parents gain insight into what their child is doing in class, both socially and academically. Many families have made friends for life at Creative Play.

All of our programs are developmentally appropriate for your child's age. Your child's curiosity and desire to learn is encouraged and nurtured through classroom play and activities. All projects made by the child are made with his or her hands. We believe in the theroy of 'it's the process, not the product' that helps your child make choices and decisions for themselves.

Parents are invited to serve on our Board of Directors, where their input is greatly valued and appreciated.

History

Creative Play started as a Mommy & child playgroup 45 years ago by a group of moms that wanted to meet two times a week to socialize while their children played. Since that time we have grown to be a very successfully cooperative pre-school, with 400 enrolled children in numerous programs.

These programs include, Time for 2's and Toddler classes, 3 & 4 year old nursery and Pre-K classes, the state funded Universal Pre-Kindergarten program, our Kindergarten Enrichment program and Summer Camp.

We are constantly striving to find ways to satisfy the needs and wants of our families by adding programs as the need arises. We rely greatly on the opinions of our Creative Play members and our school board when we make these decisions.

Philosophy

Good Shepherd Creative Play offers a fun, caring and safe environment for your child’s first classroom experience. At Creative Play, our goal is to develop a love for learning for each and every student.

When children are actively engaged in play, learning is taking place. They learn to share, verbalize their needs and interact with each other. Children learn to express themselves creatively through play, art, music and language. We understand the importance of academics in a pre-school classroom, and through creative lessons, our children will gain the knowledge necessary for success in their next school experience.

A child attending Creative Play will discover their place within a social setting. Children will learn that to have friends, they must learn to be a good friend. We give our children the proper tools to achieve this.

We recognize the important role the parent has in their child’s education. Creative Play offers parents the opportunity to participate in their child’s school experience. The warm and friendly atmosphere at Good Shepherd Creative Play gives parents the chance to gather for fellowship and discussion.

When parents, teachers and children are actively engaged in learning, we know fun and exciting things will happen.

Programs

Good Shepherd Creative Play is a cooperative preschool which offers classes for 2, 3, and 4 year olds. For our two year old students, we provide an opportunity for children to have fun and begin a routine of attending school with the comfort of their parent. As they enter into a three or four year old class, we offer half-day programs which provide a structured classroom setting with a fun a creative approach to learning.

Creative Play prides itself on it's cooperative program. When you choose Good Shepherd Creative Play as your preschool, you are choosing to be an active participant in your child's educational experience. All of our programs, with the exception of Universal Pre-K, and Kindergarten Enrichment, require parent participation in the classroom.

The number of work days the family is required to work throughout the school year is determined by the numbers of days your child attends Creative Play. A work schedule with the assigned number of days is given to each family at our September Membership meeting.

When you work in your child's class, you are there to help the teacher with classroom activities. This would include, working with small groups of children on small motor skills, playing imaginative games with the children, and being the teachers "eyes and ears" in the classroom and on the playground. Each class consists of a Teacher and two helper parents.

Each family is required to serve on a committee. All committee duties do not require too much extra time or commitment, but add to the uniqueness of our school and as an additional benefit, helps to keep our costs down.

Admissions/Registration

The first week in January is registration for Church members and Creative Play alumni families. The last Monday in January or the first Monday in February is registration for new participants. Call in December for the exact date.

We do not have an open house because we love for families to visit our school during regular school hours to see for themselves all the fun and exciting programs Creative Play has to offer.

Please call (845)735-2737 to make an appointment so we can set aside some time for you. We will be glad to answer any questions that you may have about Good Shepherd Creative Play at that time.

Testimonials

Good Shepherd Creative Play has afforded the ultimate preschool experience for my four children. Each child is different and each experience unique to that child. What remains consistent at Good Shepherd is the overall goal to have a child learn and grow as an individual. If it is your first child, the fear of letting go is quickly replaced, thanks to the entire staff, by the anticipation of what each new day will bring. When you walk in the doors, you are greeted with a smile from the office staff, which is ever present for the children and parents alike. The teaching staff is dedicated to providing a wholesome environment while educating the children, age appropriately. If it is you last child, returning to the school is like visiting an old friend over a fresh pot of coffee, while wearing your favorite outfit.

When you days at Good Shepherd come to an end, your child will be well prepared for kindergarten and you will feel abundantly blessed by the experience you received as a parent who wants the best for their children.

Gina, mom of 4 Creative Play students (Pearl River, NY)

My family has been coming to Good Shepherd Creative Play for 7 years. I have always loved the program here and the times I have spent in my children's classroooms have created priceless memories for all of us. Each teacher here is loving and dedicated to the children as the teachers are and they are on hand to handle any issues that may arise. I have always walked out of the school knowing that my kids are in the best hands possible. I never considered any other program for my children, and I have never regretted my choice. Good Shepherd Creative Play is the only preschool for us!

Maureen, mother of Devin, Jake and Alexia (Nanuet, NY)

The organized and friendly administrative staff at Good Shepherd Creative Play take care of all class and program preparation so that the teachers can be 100% dedicated to the children during class time.

Lauren, mother of 3 children who attended Creative Play (Orangeburg, NY)

Meet our Teachers

Our wonderful teachers at Creative Play consider your children 'their children'. They are excited to work here and are passionate about teaching your children.

Our teachers have many years of experience working with preschool children. They continue to grow in their knowledge of early childhood education by attending workshops and meetings throughout the year.

Their excitement and enthusiasm for learning is contagious, which you can see on the children’s happy faces as they enter the classroom.

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