Briarcliff Nursery School

Our developmental philosophy recognizes that growth is a multifaceted process and young children learn by interacting with the environment, including each other, the materials, and their teachers. We provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment, allowing children to play deeply, and with purpose. Our focus is the individual as well as the needs of the group with special attention to each child’s uniqueness and maturation level. Emphasis is placed on expanding their intellectual, social, emotional and physical development. Our philosophy recognizes that each area is not a separate and distinct aspect of development but rather, depend upon and support each other.  If you visit our school you might see a child lost in thought at the water table, working cooperatively while designing a skyscraper, working in a journal, quietly putting a puzzle together, or perhaps sitting on a teacher’s lap while listening to a story.

Briarcliff Nursery School is located on over two acres of beautiful property in the Town of Ossining. The school building contains three well-equipped, warm and inviting classrooms. The expansive playground includes a water play area, large sand boxes, climbing equipment, swings, two playhouses, two riding areas, a gazebo and a very large grassy area. Children are encouraged to explore, investigate and expand their knowledge of their environment, their physical abilities and social skills. Outdoor play takes place every day with the exception of rain and frigid weather.

Briarcliff Nursery School was established in 1947 as a not-for-profit parent cooperative. The school has owned its present site since 1955. Few schools have been as successful, as enduring, as BNS. The school is supervised by two boards made up of parent volunteers, The Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee. The Boards are responsible for the overall functioning of the school, including school policy, annual budget, setting of tuition, salaries and all fundraising. Today you will continue to find parents and staff who are passionate and enthusiastic about continuing to offer the highest quality early childhood program available.

The ultimate goal of our program is to help set the foundation for a life-long love of learning.

We work to help children function independently in the classroom with confidence and security, take risks, think critically and explore new ideas and forms of expression.

The early childhood program at Briarcliff Nursery School reflects our philosophy and goals. We provide a safe, secure and nurturing environment, allowing “children to play deeply …and with purpose….” If you visit our school you might see a child lost in thought at the water table, working cooperatively while designing a skyscraper, working in a journal, quietly putting a puzzle together, or perhaps sitting on a teacher’s lap while listening to a story.

Our program fosters development through an intellectually oriented approach where young children learn by interacting with each other, the materials, the adults and their environment. We focus on the individual as well as the needs of the group, nurturing, cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.  Our developmental philosophy recognizes that these needs are not separate and distinct aspects of development but rather depend upon and support each other.  Our program plans for the age span of the group with special attention to each child’s uniqueness and maturation level.

Our integrated curriculum is designed to focus on the individual as well as the needs of the group. It recognizes that young children “reach a deeper understanding of a subject when they can make connections across several disciplines rather than through separate, isolated areas of learning.” Teachers plan and implement activities that stimulate curiosity, critical thinking and investigation, attributes which are fundamental to future academic success. The school is rich in materials and practices that foster a love of learning.