Program Overview
Founded in 1951, the Garden City Nursery School (GCNS) is a parent cooperative institution that offers three educational programs—Playgroup (2 year olds), Nursery (3 year olds), and an extended day Pre-K (4 year olds).
As of the 2020-2021 school year, we have a total of 88 students under the guidance of 17 faculty and administration. We are proud of our strong legacy, as a high percentage of parents at GCNS are alumni who have chosen to continue their relationship with our school to create wonderful memories with and for their own children. We believe that physical competence enhances self-esteem; therefore, each day begins with the children’s use of our two outdoor playgrounds and extensive outdoor equipment.
What sets GCNS apart? GCNS…
Is the only nursery school in Garden City registered with the New York Department of Education employing State-Certified Head Teachers.
Is the only school in Nassau County designed and built specifically as an early-childhood facility—as most early-childhood facilities are converted spaces. Designed as a completely child-based establishment, our property includes climbing trees, a tire swing, bicycle paths, sandboxes, playhouses, and more. We offer children a place to develop through play and the opportunity to explore nature.
Incorporates a play-based curriculum to maximize the children’s growth. Self-directed activities enhance the children’s confidence and their gross motor, fine motor, socialization and speech skills.Employs a Readiness Program to prepare children for the New York State Early Learning Standards.
Is much more than a school; it is a community.
Prioritizes parent communication via direct participation in the classroom and open dialogue with teachers about each child’s unique needs.
Focuses our family-centered program on parent-child development and familial support throughout each child’s education.
Promotes friendship and a sense of community among our families with well-attended, organized social events.
Allows parents to experience their child’s pre-school classroom firsthand and gain helpful parenting skills during participating parent days.
Coppie Short, Founder
Agnes ‘Coppie’ Short is the founder and first director of our school. A leader in cooperative education on Long Island, she incorporated Jean Piaget’s philosophy into her work, which supports the belief that children learn best by active involvement in first-hand experiences.
She respected the individuality of each child, family member, and colleague. Her compassionate regard for others, as well as her tenacious love of nature, are the basis of our cooperative structure. Coppie’s beliefs, values, and curriculum live on in our school community today, and we continue to grow from her legacy.
Mission and Philosophy
We believe in fostering all aspects of a young child’s development: social, emotional, physical, intellectual and cognitive.
We believe in guiding each child to help him or her gain the social coping skills and emotional stability to live with others in a complex and crowded society. We strive to have each child develop a positive self-image and learn that he or she is a good and able person.
We believe that physical competence enhances self-esteem; therefore, each day begins with the children’s use of our two outdoor playgrounds and extensive outdoor equipment.
We believe in the concept—supported by child-development psychologist Jean Piaget—that children learn through active involvement in first-hand experiences established within a context of self- or teacher-initiated play. As a result, our curriculum includes nature and science activities, number games and problem solving, free expression through art materials, songs, stories, discussions and other language activities appropriate to each age level.
We believe that parents are an integral part of the education of their children and all benefit greatly through regular parent participation in the classroom and parent-teacher conferences. Parents serve on the Board of Trustees and on various committees. They also employ the professional staff, provide for continuing enrollment, and ensure financial stability.
Legend of the Lizard
Legend has it, approximately twenty years ago, a family of “Italian wall” lizards planted its roots in the cheerful, one-acre home of the Garden City Nursery School. Since then, the lizard family has grown and has become a prominent part of our GCNS family. Children, parents, teachers, and friends all know of these elusive, green creatures with which they share a home. The lizards provide a wonderful, hands-on way for our students to learn about science and nature. These tiny reptiles are considered to be the school’s “lucky charm,” and the children can’t help but smile when one fleetingly leaps across their path! Appropriately, the leapin’ lizard has become a symbol for the Garden City Nursery School.