WELCOME TO WEST VILLAGE NURSERY SCHOOL
Founded in 1962
West Village Nursery School was founded in 1962, Manhattan’s oldest cooperative nursery school. Owned and operated by parents and housed in a building it has owned for over 60 years.
WVNS was founded by a group of West Village mothers seeking a cooperative nursery school program for their children. Founders Shirley Wright, Barbara Williams, Dori Kimball, Kate Brown and Anne Tonachel were the original driving force behind establishing the school. The determined group found a one-room rental on Horatio Street. They hired a professional teacher, by-laws were drafted, licensing requirements met, and the school officially opened in the fall of 1962.
Learning through Play
Play is at the center of our curriculum. Through their interaction with open-ended materials — such as clay, paint, blocks, water and sand — children actively construct meaning and understanding of their world. Play also provides an important opportunity for children to develop social-emotional skills that are essential to their success and well-being.
OUR MISSION
West Village Nursery School is rooted in a progressive, play-based approach to early childhood education. We are a community-centered school driven by an incredible team of long-tenured teachers, administrators, and professionals. We meet each and every family at an individual level, because we believe that every child's path to autonomy, confidence and happiness is their own.
We are a cooperatively-owned, community-centered, and professionally-run school. Parents have the special opportunity to participate in the classroom and in our community in a way that works for them and their family. Our model fosters an environment where the whole community works together to prepare students to leave West Village Nursery School ready to meet their next educational opportunity.
WVNS is licensed by the state of New York and is a member of ISAAGNY and DECA.
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY SAYS ABOUT US
“WVNS holds a special place in our family’s heart. From the incredible teachers to the loving, close-knit community, we are beyond grateful to be a part of this magical school. As parent helpers in the classroom, we have had the unique privilege of witnessing our children grow and thrive during their nursery school years. With lasting friendships and unforgettable memories, they graduate ready and confident to embark on the next chapter in their education. ”
