Marble Hill Nursery School is a non-profit parent cooperative nursery school. Founded in 1953 by parents living in the Marble Hill Houses, our school offers a high-quality, early childhood education to an ethnically and socio-economically diverse group of children.
Marble Hill Nursery School is licensed by the Department of Health and holds a permanent charter for Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten from the New York State Department of Education. It was established with the support of Bank Street College, an outstanding institution training teachers and doing research in the field of child development since 1917. We have a full time director and a staff of highly trained teachers serving an average of 55 children each year.
The Marble Hill Nursery School aims to provide a program of activities for children suited to their stages of development, which stimulates each child to mature and learn, addressing the developmental needs of all preschoolers, including those with special needs. The school provides a situation outside the home that is secure and nurturing. The program, developed collaboratively by the Board of Directors, staff and parents of the school, recognizes the need and importance of each individual child and yet offers many opportunities for children to develop the ability to get along with other children their own age.
Through creative arts (painting, clay work, collage), through music (dancing and movement, listening to records, tapes and CDs, using rhythm instruments), we attempt to deepen children’s sensitivity to the world around them. With block play, puzzles, and woodworking, we challenge their ability to reason and think concretely. Children are encouraged to take roles in dramatic play through which they learn about their feelings and the feelings of others. Daily outdoor play offers children the opportunity to develop their physical skills. Additionally, the children’s knowledge of their community is expanded through appropriately planned trips.
Our Philosophy
We believe children learn most successfully through play and hands-on experiences that recognize their needs, interests and abilities.
Our approach provides activities for children suited to their stage of development, which encourages each child to grow and learn.
Additionally, our program emphasizes the relationship between our children and their physical and social environment. We believe in the partnership of parents and school in creating the optimal learning environment for our children. The great diversity in our program provides a variety of perspectives, skills, knowledge, and life experiences that enrich each person as well as the group.
We look forward to sharing experiences that will allow us to learn from each other and grow in our understanding of ways to be inclusive to all children and families.
Parent Cooperative
Marble Hill Nursery School has been a parent cooperative since its inception in 1953. Active participation of every family ensures the quality of Marble Hill’s program and is a most important goal of the school.
Parents assist in school fundraising activities, volunteer in the classrooms, and serve on committees. Parents may also choose to serve on the Board of Directors, which offers them the opportunity to be part of the decision-making body of the school.
Board of Directors
2023-2024
Amy Bergtold, Destiny Caldwell, Shanelle Cloyd, Raffi Cohn, Sage Cole, Amaury De La Cruz, Iria Franco, Joanna Samuelson Johnson, Lizzie McAdams, James Montalvo, Brent Ness, Al Pinney, Danielle Rolli, Samaris Santiago, Abi Schnell, Jonathan Spencer