The Circle Nursery School is located at The North Madison Congregational Church at the Route 80 and Route 79 circle.   

Finding a need in the community, The North Madison Congregational Church opened this non-profit program in 1998  in order to provide a high quality, nurturing  pre-school experience for the children of our community, keeping tuition as affordable as possible. 

It is the mission of THE CIRCLE NURSERY SCHOOL to be a leading provider of high quality early childhood education in the community.

By bringing families, children and dedicated early childhood professionals together, we work toward a common purpose—to prepare our young children to be “ready to learn."

Philosophy

We offer a curriculum rich in opportunities, activities and materials that encourage each child to develop at his or her own unique pace. The daily schedule allows time for group and individual play, outdoor play and child directed or teacher directed activities. By offering a consistent, comfortable and safe learning environment, the children gain the confidence to explore their own unique interests. We encourage mastery of new and challenging ideas, problem-solving tasks, and the ability to respect others and to participate and share in group activities. We accomplish this by offering small child to teacher ratios (8 to l or fewer), interesting thematic units, creative teaching methods and a well-trained staff. Given this foundation, we believe that the children will gain the self-confidence and strong self-esteem to continue to be curious learners and to thrive throughout life’s journeys.
 

Hours of operation

CIRCLE NURSERY SCHOOL is open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. We follow the Madison Public School calendar and will be closed to observe the following holidays: Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Winter Recess, Martin Luther King Day, February Recess, Good Friday, April Recess and Memorial Day.    

PROGRAMS

We offer the following programs:

THREE-YEAR OLD PROGRAM on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to ll: 30 a.m.  The child must be three years old by December 31 of the admitting year and toilet trained. Lunch Bunch is available until 12:30. $1550/YR or $155/month.

FOUR-YEAR OLD PROGRAM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 12:30 a.m. Lunch Bunch is available. $2100/yr or $210/month.   

FOUR-YEAR OLD PROGRAM on Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1:00 -3:30. This class is limited to eight students. $2800/yr or $280/month.

PRE-K PROGRAM for four and five year olds on Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  The children bring their lunch.  $3750/yr or $375/month.

TUITION POLICY AND FEE SCHEDULE

·         There is a 10% discount for children after the first child from the same family.  The discount will be applied to the lower tuition rate.

·      THE TUITION IS AN ANNUAL FEE WHICH CAN, FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, BE PAID IN 10 MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS, QUARTERLY OR FULLY AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. 

DAILY ROUTINE:

Three year olds: Free play and art project, circle time/ snack, outdoor play weather permitting, skills time at the tables. Lunch bunch then has lunch followed by outside play or gross motor activities.

      Pre Kindergarten: Greetings/Arts and Crafts/free play, fine motor skills-table manipulatives.  Sand and water table/ Easel Painting Blocks/Dramatic play. Snack, circle time, special projects, outdoor play, lunch/story time.

      Music classes are held for both classes every two weeks.

OPEN DOOR POLICY

Circle Nursery School encourages parents and guardians to visit our school anytime during our hours of operation.  Please announce yourself to the Director upon your arrival.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS

If a child needs to receive medication while at CNS, the parent must follow the guidelines established in the “Authorization for Administration of Medication” form.  The staff maintains current certification of authorization to administer medication, having been trained in the following methods – oral, topical and inhalant.  Specific staff has additional certification of administration in injectable medications.

POLICY FOR USING FOOD AND ADDRESSING FOOD ALLERGIES IN THE CLASSROOM

    CIRCLE NURSERY SCHOOL will follow the Policy of North Madison Congregational Church in enforcing a No Nut/No Peanut/No Peanut Butter Policy.  This means no peanut or nut products of any kind will knowingly be brought in or served at any snack, lunch or special celebration.

    CIRCLE NURSERY SCHOOL STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment, but seeks to collaborate with parents and students to minimize risks for food-allergic children.  In consideration of children with food allergies, we suggest that parents bring snacks that are safe for consumption by all of the children.  The staff will provide all families with a list of safe snacks at the beginning of each year.  The Director will contact the parent of each child one week before his/her birthday as a reminder of our policy.  (ANY FOOD THAT IS TO BE SERVED AT CIRCLE NURSERY SCHOOL MUST HAVE A LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND MUST BE CLEARED BY THE DIRECTOR & STAFF BEFORE IT CAN BE SERVED).

·         Parents are required to bring a nutritious morning or afternoon snack for their own child. Children staying for Lunch Bunch, Pre-K children and After-Kindergarten children will need to bring a healthy lunch as well.  Please help us teach healthy eating habits by sending only nutritious foods.  We will be glad to warm food up in the microwave if necessary.

 CONSULTANTS

As required by the State of Connecticut General Statutes, CNS has four professional consultants available to staff and parents.  We have an educational, social service, health and dental consultant

·          Our Social Service Consultant supports the staff and parents in determining appropriate social and emotional development of our children.  They will also provide in-service training for parents and staff.

·         Our Health Consultant (currently a nurse) oversees the general health and safety of the children as well as the overall health education program. Frequent visits are done to check the well-being of the children and the accuracy of our health files.

·        Our Dental Consultant (a dentist) advises us on the dental health and safety of the children as well as the dental health of the children.   There is availability by phone as needed.    

·         Our educational consultant advises on the educational content of our program.  The consultant will visit any time input is needed for our curriculum or on the development of a child in our program.  They also will provide in-service training for the staff.

PARENT/TEACHER EXCHANGES

Parents and Teachers may exchange information regarding the day-to-day status of a child at the beginning or at the end of each day.  Parents may request a formal conference with the teacher at any time.  Parents are encouraged to visit the classroom or call the teacher any time they have concerns.  More formal parent/teacher conferences will be held in January and February to share information and impressions about the child’s adjustment and development.

OUR TEACHERS

Sylvia Stillwell, Director: After majoring in social work and working as a stockbroker, Sylvia earned a Child Development Credential in both family care and preschool settings. She ran her own family centered daycare for twenty years and joined Circle Nursery School as the director in 2003.  Sylvia has served on countless boards and committees in her many years advocating for children. “Children are my calling and my passion. I am thankful each day for the great lessons they teach me.”

Desiree Saliba:  Desiree has an A.A.S. degree and continued college education majoring in special education and art. She has previous experience teaching deaf children and as a teacher at The Children’s Discovery Center. Desiree has been working in the Pre-K class since 2003, and currently has a child Schylar (who by the way LOVES it here) enrolled in the Pre-K class. “I have truly loved getting to know all the children that have come through my classes here and look forward to getting to know and love all of your children.”

Eileen Brown:  With a history as a school health aide and orthodontic assistant, Eileen joined Circle Nursery School eight years ago. She is a mother and grandmother and especially enjoys her 3’s and 4’s class “where I see the most impressive advancements in their maturity and ability from September to June. I can say I truly love our children and families and look forward to many years at CNS.”

Sally Lindahl: In 1971 I began my first career as a broker and commodities trader.  I attended the New York Institute of Finance where I received my certification as a broker.   I worked for Shearson, Lehman Bros., Cohn Commodities and Prudential Securities through 1989. I began a second career in the Madison School System in 1995 substituting at Island Avenue in Kindergarten.  Then in 1997 I was hired for a position working with Margaret Borden in Kindergarten.  Mrs. Borden became one of many teachers that I worked with over the next 12 years.  I found the students brought such joy to my life and for so little in return.  Watching their small accomplishments brought tears to my eyes and a special smile to my face each day.    This year’s senior class was the one that I substituted for in 1995/96. I have been a part of the Madison community for the past forty years.  I have four grown children who graduated from Daniel Hand High School.  I also have seven grandchildren.  Two of them have graduated from Hand and two are in the elementary schools.  My grandchildren opened that “early childhood education door” for me because of the active part I played in their lives both in and out of school. In my free time I have a passion for all sports in Madison and at the college level.  My grandson, Justin, is at the University of Delaware and is a member of their Lacrosse Team.  Dylan, Justin’s brother, plays fullback on the Madison football team.  Caroline, my granddaughter in third grade at Jeffrey, sings with the Elm City Girls Choir.  I love to read as well.  In the summer you can find me at East Wharf in the gazebo.  Stop by and say hello. I have been so lucky and so honored to have been a part in the development of Madison’s young students.  And now I am honored to bring my joy to the young children at Circle Nursery School.

Kathy Niejadlik: Kathy graduated with a B.S. in Clothing and Textiles and worked in retail for many years.   After being a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters for 12 years, teaching children at Circle Nursery School seems to be the perfect job.  Kathy joined Circle in the beginning of 2007 helping out with the After-K program and continues this school year helping out with the Three’s and with the After-K program.  She has lived in Madison for 14 years with her husband, Jim, and their 2 daughters, Julie and Emily. "I love coming to work every day, the children are all so special and the atmosphere is so cheerful and comfortable!"

Claudia Esposito: Claudia has a B.S. degree in Psychology and Art History, and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught elementary school for ten years in North Branford. She was also an educational consultant, working with teachers and students from New Haven to Madison. She has two sons who attend Circle Nursery. Claudia now teaches our three-year old program. "It is a delight to come to work every day. The children and staff  at Circle Nursery School make it a wonderful place to be."

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

The program is administered by the Director, who is selected by the Board of Directors, the governing body of the nursery school, which is made up of members of both the North Madison Congregational Church and the parents of the Circle Nursery School.      

YEARLY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: 

Pancake Breakfast with Santa

Halloween Parade

Leprechaun visit

Baby Needs Drive

End of the year picnic at The Surf Club

Thanksgiving Harvest Feast

Firemen/truck visits

Officer Fox visits for safety day

Bus ride to practice for kindergarten

Backwards day

Pajama day

Mothers' Tea      

Dental Week

Mystic Seaport Visits the school           

Parents’ night out

Parent Testimonials:

We have always been delighted with Circle Nursery School. During the past five years that we have been coming we feel that the staff has become our extended family. Our children have been involved with the nursery school, pre-kindergarten, after kindergarten, and summer programs. They have loved them all. The warmth and enthusiasm from the staff and director make Circle Nursery a truly special place to be.             -Jonathan and Karen Aranow

CNS is THE BEST! The teachers are loving and nurturing. The projects that the kids do are fun and inventive. It’s obvious that the teachers take a lot of time to prepare for the days activities. The atmosphere is fun and creative with just the right amount of learning and discipline thrown in for good measure! The teachers stay in constant contact with the parents and are never too busy to answer our questions or talk to us about our children. It will be sad to leave CNS behind when my son goes off to kindergarten.  If only CNS had an elementary school!                                       -Paige McHugh

I like how the teachers let the students initiate learning. If the kids are busy with one thing they don’t pull them away just because it is snack or craft time.      –Missy Belcourt

This is my daughter’s second year at Circle Nursery and she looks forward to going every day! There is just the right balance between learning and playing at her age level. Her teachers Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Eileen provide such a warm and loving atmosphere that she feels very safe and comfortable. I also like the low student teacher ratio. My daughter’s experience has been a happy and positive experience all around.                                           –Peggy Van Antwerp

We have been delighted with our experience at CNS. I now have two children in two different programs at the school, one being the new Circle Tots!!  I have attended similar programs elsewhere, and they do not compare with this one! We are so lucky that there is a school in our community with such a caring and dedicated staff!      - Wendy Flynn

We have been pleased with every level of Circle Nursery School. First intrigued by the small class size, we now feel like we’ve discovered one of Madison’s best secrets. I have never seen such a warm, caring, patient, experienced, soft speaking group of teachers all assembled in one school! We are lucky to have them for our children and Circle Nursery School is lucky to have them on their staff.

Before I enrolled my son in Pre-K I called many parents from the previous year’s class. It was astounding how every call revealed a similar comment: every student truly LOVED Mrs. Sylvia … a testament to her overall commitment to Circle Nursery School. Day in and day out we experience her deep understanding and love for children of this age. We only wish we could take her along to kindergarten!!                          -Cheryl Anderson 

In response to “what do you like about school?

I like playing with Schylar and making play-doh worms and feeding them to my teacher           -Erica 

I love playing dress up with Ella every day!                         - Jordyn

I like building things with Magnetics with my friend Zachary                                                    -John

I like building things with Magnetics with my friend John!                                                         -Zachary  

We like building Lego cars and vehicles together!                                                 - Ian, Will & Morgan

I like my friends at school---they make me laugh, and I like the projects that I do, and my teachers are the best. I am happy at my school!       -Ryan (age 4)

I like to color and do the projects and play on the playground and play pirates and tag and being line leader and play play-doh, and clean vegetables at school- but not eating, and blocks and I like eating cookies at school and pretending we have a boat with Autumn, and playing moms and dads ummm doing computer, painting, did I already say playground? And doing the dishes –but I don’t really do that.           - Catherine (age 4)