Play based learning since 1969
Empowering children to learn about who they are and how they wish to engage with the world around them
Welcome,
At St. Mark’s Nursery School and Kindergarten, teachers empower children to follow their own interests, make choices, form friendships, and express themselves. When a child joins one of our classes, they are accepted for who they are, lovingly tended to, and encouraged to bloom. St. Mark’s children grow socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically as they develop relationships with teachers and peers, explore their own creativity and wonder, and take risks within safe, inclusive environments designed for them.
We believe that a young child’s work is play. Through play, and supported by intentional and loving caregivers, children engage in experiential learning. Within these experiences, they have opportunities to build curiosity, resilience, and empathy. Children learn about who they are and how they wish to engage with the world around them.
In our community, mistakes or mishaps are valued as opportunities to learn. Conflicts are accepted by teachers as a part of life. Children are supported during conflict with empathy and an understanding of child development and brain development. With help, when needed, to identify problems, communicate, and find solutions, children develop the foundational skills necessary for developing healthy relationships now and later in life. Teachers trust children during this process and as a result, children learn to trust themselves and others.
Within our parenting support and education classes and during our yearly community events, families are given opportunities to connect with one another and form lasting relationships. They often leave our school having gained insight about themselves and how they wish to parent, and with a larger family of friends.
We’re in this together and we can’t wait to meet you!
Kate Morris, M.A. CCC-SLP
Director
“When it came time for me to go back to work, we looked for a place that would provide the same love and care to our daughter that she would get at home. The teachers at St. Mark’s really understand toddlers - they provide a safe, caring, nurturing environment, where the needs of the children come first. ”
Nursery School
Our Nursery School offers programming for children four months through five years. Each classroom maintains small student to teacher ratios, and offers different programming options to accommodate the needs of families and children. All classes begin at 9:30 and end at 12. Classes are staffed by a collaborative teaching team who model cooperation, form strong relationships with the children and facilitate the creation of a classroom community.
Children who attend our nursery school are given the freedom to play, have fun, and take risks with support from loving adults who are committed to honoring this important period of development. Teachers use observation to follow the lead of the child to support each individual’s unique learning experience. Children are supported within relationships to communicate, problem solve and resolve conflicts with increasing independence.
Throughout the year, parent participants and IU Field Experience students join teaching teams, and contribute to the care children receive and the variety of adults that children have the opportunity to interact with and learn from.
Kindergarten
Our Kindergarten is one of the few half day programs available in Bloomington, offering children an alternative opportunity to grow and learn at their own pace. The kindergarten day begins at 9 am and goes to 12:30. Two teachers work together to facilitate an emergent learning curriculum for up to 14 students. An emergent curriculum is one that is decided by the children’s interests as they develop.
In our child led program, teachers listen to the children throughout the year and collaboratively decide on topics of inquiry. As teachers facilitate discovery and exploration of topics, kindergarten students learn skills while participating in project work, centers, and small and large group time. These activities meet and exceed the Indiana State standards as well as the requirements and expectations of most first grade programs throughout our area.
Every day, children are given multiple opportunities to engage in free play, where many do their most important work. During play, children learn and practice social skills and communication skills with guidance from their teachers when needed. Teachers observe children’s play and interests to inform both natural and planned teachable moments.
Kindergarten is a very special year in a child’s life. Many people consider kindergarten the first step of the child’s academic career. We consider this year a continuation of what we hope will be a lifetime love of learning and an important year of social and emotional growth.
Summer Bonus Days
During the first two weeks of summer, St. Mark’s Nursery School and Kindergarten offers bonus days for currently enrolled families. Summer Bonus Days meet Monday through Thursday morning from 9:30 to 12. These weeks are staffed by our current and former teachers who continue to practice our play-based child-led emergent curriculum while creating outdoor environments that celebrate the many joys of warmer weather. Water play and bubbles are featured daily along with favorite activities from our classrooms throughout the year: dramatic play materials, building blocks and manipulatives, play doh and art materials. Books and songs are woven into the fabric of each day as children’s interests invite. We enjoy these days of free play to explore new spaces and friendships, and welcome the summer months ahead. Registration for this year’s Summer Bonus Days opens February 1, 2024.
Calendar of Events
Our school follows the MCCSC school calendar for holidays, breaks and weather related closures. Additionally, there is no school on Good Friday. Some of our school wide events are intended for St. Mark’s families only and some are our school’s gift to the greater Bloomington community.
Our Community
At St. Mark’s we believe in the power of a strong and supportive community. We adhere to NAEYC’s Anti-Discrimination Position Statement when hiring staff and teachers. We welcome children and families of every race, sex, religion, ethnic or national origin, language and ability. Equally, we welcome families in whatever way they present themselves, honoring all gender identities, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, belief systems, and family structures by practicing mutual respect and affirmation. We do not teach religious doctrine, but as a mission of the St. Mark’s United Methodist Church and in accordance with what we believe to be best for young children, focus on developing caring relationships and what it is to experience wonder in the world around us.
Our teachers work to consciously treat all children with equal respect and consideration, interacting with them in ways that build self-esteem, and valuing differences between individuals. Our classrooms and children’s literature is curated to contain visual images that counter stereotypes. Adults in our community strive to model acceptance, tolerance, kindness and set an anti-discrimination intention.
Accreditation
Since 1990, St. Mark's has maintained accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). As the nation's leading voice in early childhood education, NAEYC requires that their accreditation be reviewed and renewed every five years. This complex process involves self-study, evaluation, and site visits from NAEYC validators. We are excited to report that St. Mark's was commended in all 10 standard areas. We are thrilled that what we do for children and their families is recognized as excellent by the most prestigious national early childhood organization. For more information about NAEYC accreditation, we invite you to visit their website.
“Our family is so grateful for the incredible kindergarten experience St. Mark’s provided our daughter this year. She has grown so much - socially, emotionally, creatively, and academically. They provide a nurturing environment for children to explore their own unique interests while encouraging new experiences and learning opportunities. ”
Contact
We’d love to connect with you!
Email
school@smnurseryschool.org
Phone
(812) 333-4007