Kensington Nursery School

Kensington Nursery School has a rich history dating back to 1939, making it the first cooperative nursery school in the Washington metropolitan area. Founded by a group of Kensington parents, the school has been dedicated to providing a nurturing and enriching environment for preschool children and their families. Over the years, the school has undergone significant changes, from its humble beginnings in a temporary location to its current permanent home in Kensington Heights.

History

Kensington Nursery School was established in 1939 by a group of Kensington parents who formed a cooperative nursery school, the Kensington Play Group. The school continued to grow, and in 1940, it began to discuss acquiring permanent housing to suit its special needs. The parents started raising funds and raising them side by side. In 1955, the school bought a 3/4-acre lot in Kensington Heights, which served as a building site. After raising funds through bonds, the school broke ground on April 1st, 1957, for a modern cinder block structure designed by Alexander Richter, A.I.A., a former member of the school. The building was then ready for occupancy in September 1957 and has remained largely unchanged since then, with the addition of a new storage shed in 1968 and the construction of a new playground structure in 2017.

Philosophy

Kensington Nursery School is committed to providing a nurturing and enriching environment for preschool children and their families. Play is the major activity through which children develop social skills, work out difficulties, and exercise their physical, sensory, emotional, and cognitive abilities. We accept each child as a person, encouraging individual strengths and fostering a positive self-image. Daily experiences are structured to broaden the child's understanding of the world, and the wide variety of materials provided encourages children to explore and learn through play. The atmosphere of the classroom encourages freedom of expression, while respecting the rights and feelings of others. Specially trained teachers guide a thematically based program and work with cooperating parents to ensure that each child is attended to as part of a group and as an individual.

Staff

KNS is proud of its dedicated and experienced staff, which includes:

• Jen Tompkins, Director, Teacher: 3s & 3/4s, Extended Day Classes
• Renee Lahr, Teacher: 2s
• Kathleen McNickle, Teacher: 4s, Extended Day Classes
• Lis Rigolage, Classroom Aide: Extended Day

Our staff is passionate about providing a high-quality educational experience for our students and values the importance of parental involvement. We believe that by working together, we can create a nurturing and supportive environment that fosters growth, creativity, and social skills.

Programs

Kensington Nursery School offers a range of programs designed to meet the unique needs of our students. Our programs include:

• Curriculum & Tuition: We offer a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on social, emotional, and cognitive development.
• Classes: We offer classes for children aged 2-4 years old, with options for extended-day care.
• Extended Day: We provide extended-day care options for working parents.
• Store: We have a store on-site where parents can purchase curriculum-related materials and school swag.
• Application and Other Fees: We offer flexible payment options to ensure that our programs are accessible to all families.

Enrollment

We welcome you to explore our website and consider our wonderful community! Our applications are available for the 2024-2025 school year. Apply today and get in touch with us to schedule a tour.