Mission and Philosophy

Mission

Barrow Street Nursery School guides the critical first steps which lead to a life long enthusiasm for learning, appreciation of the arts, and care for the community and environment. While teaching the skills necessary for future academic success, our nursery school  engages each child's uniqueness and individual learning style by anchoring their day to day experiences in a strong child-centered setting. Creativity and artistic expression are highly valued. Individual exploration and group collaboration are equally emphasized. BSNS actively engages members of the community to ensure harmonious continuity between each child's home and school life to encourage parent participation and to foster diversity.

Philosophy

We believe that children learn best in an environment that is filled with opportunities to explore their world and to build on their previous experiences. Early childhood teachers at BSNS understand that play is the work of children. We believe that it is the basis for developing meaningful social interactions, creative problem solving skills and a wide range of communication and physical abilities. Our teachers value the diverse backgrounds of their students and provide opportunities within the curriculum for the expression and the sharing of family traditions and culture. Regular communication, community events and parent participation cultivate strong relationships among our families and staff.

History

BSNS was founded more than 30 years ago to provide the families of Greenwich Village with a private nursery school. Since it first opened its doors, the school has been housed at 27 Barrow Street. In 2006, Greenwich House assumed the operation of the school. Today, BSNS is one of twelve art, education and social service programs under the umbrella of Greenwich House.

Diversity

BSNS is committed to creating a community that is racially, ethnically, religiously and economically diverse. BSNS admits families of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin. It does not unfairly discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies or any other school-administered programs.