Ready Set Grow Pre-School

Pre-School Programs and Activities for Children serving Nassau and Queens County, N.Y.

One of the factors that sets our school apart from any other is that we understand that children need to be children. It is important to us that each child feels good about himself or herself while interacting with others in a positive and loving environment.

Early Enrichment Pre-School Program

We believe that the early years of learning are the most valuable. The first five years of a child's life are a time of enormous growth and separation. Between the ages of one and five, a child develops, discovers and expands their world more quickly than any other time of their life. Here at Ready Set Grow, we strive to provide the highest quality educational experience and understand how important it is to make each child feel safe and comfortable in their environment.

REGISTER NOW For Summer and Fall 2008!

Call us at (516) 775-5545

Just about the greatest thing a parent can give their child is the love of learning. It is a gift that will last a lifetime. At Ready Set Grow, teaching children to love learning is the foundation of our educational philosophy.

Our program is unique since we spend our time together exploring in several rooms through a number of activities guided by our experienced staff of teachers.

In our DISCOVERY ROOM, your child will experience math and science related activities including: the magnetic wall, building blocks, sorting games, manipulative toys and puzzles, and weather observations, as well as the seasonal events.

REGISTER NOW For Summer and Fall 2008!

Call us at (516) 775-5545

Imagination is a big part of this stage in your chil's life and in the IMAGINATION ROOM they will have a wonderful time playing in the house-keeping center or having tea parties with their friends. They can create another world through dress up and use the stage area to tell familiar stories or make up their own. Puppets also provide for tons of entertainment. There is always something new we can introduce to your child to enrich their experience.

REGISTER NOW For Summer and Fall 2008!

Call us at (516) 775-5545

The children and teachers travel on exciting journeys during Story time. We climb into the STORY TREE ROOM where books are abundant and there are plenty of comfy spots to read them. In this inviting, warm and cozy room, children can let their imaginations soar as the teacher shares stories from authors like Eric Carle, Dr. Suess, Mem Fox and many others as we progress from season to season.

Both listening to and telling stories are encouraged. Interactive story time is a critical aspect of developing an appreciation for the art of reading and writing. Encouraging children to use felt boards to help tell or retell a story is one method of several methods we embody.

REGISTER NOW For Summer and Fall 2008!

Call us at (516) 775-5545

After a little break in our Story Tree Room, it is good to get up and move around. The children will be given plenty of opportunities to exercise and develop physical agility skills. There are two rooms devoted to the physical development of your child.

In the MOVEMENT ROOM your child will use rhythm and music to move and play. Gross motor skills are fine-tuned through the use of balls, scooters, the parachute, and bean bags, as well as many fun and creative songs and finger-plays.

Then if that is not enough, there is the GYMNASIUM, built to children's little specifications. All the equipment in the gym is age-appropriate for establishing basic tumbling, swinging, climbing, and jumping skills. Exposure to the world of gymnastics may lead to future Olympians. Your child will be taught proper form and the basics that are the strong foundation for any sport he or she may desire to participate in.

REGISTER NOW For Summer and Fall 2008!

Call us at (516) 775-5545

We're not done yet, during such a day, one will certainly get hungry for a snack, after exercise and creating with their hands. This brings us to the MULTIPURPOSE ROOM, where your child can enjoy a snack or lunch (depending on the time of day) with his/her friends. This room also offers the equipment necessary for your developing artist to use a multitude of media to both play with and create their own works of art. There is an opportunity for free play with the sand table, water table, easel painting or chalkboard. They will explore color and texture, and do many hands-on creative projects that you will treasure from this period in your child's life. (Pre-fabricated projects are limited, so that your child may develop his/her own style).

Children will be excited to play with the things that they like and motivated to try new activities as well. Sharing is always stressed by teaching the child who would like a turn to ask the other child for a turn. Through out the course of your child's day, he/she will experience many stimulating and rewarding activities. Please ask him/her to share something about their adventures.

As you can probably tell by now, we have many materials and interesting activities to keep your youngster enthralled. Through play, children develop physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. They are exploring and discovering learning in its purest forms. Ready Set Grow provides a cheerful, clean, warm and respectful environment where children can learn while having a great time.

Extended Day and Enrichment

For the child who doesn't want to leave, we offer 1-2 hour extended days to enjoy lunch along with extra gym class, arts & crafts, and now conversational Spanish! This is offered for both pre-k and kindergarteners.

CelebrationEach month there will be something special to celebrate, beginning with a Halloween Party in October, a Thanksgiving Feast in November and a variety of holiday festivals to expose children to the melting pot that is the greater New York Area (feel free to tell us about your cultural background so that all may be included).

Aside from the obvious celebrations, we will also have visits from characters like Blue and Clifford. We invite people from the community to come and talk with the children. We will celebrate authors and special birthdays, including of course the children's. We will also accommodate our summer birthdays with either a half-birthday celebration or special day party for those children.

At the end of the year we will have a Stepping-Up celebration for the little ones and a Graduation Ceremony for the older children.

These special events are not meant to cause anxiety for the child but rather to celebrate their accomplishments throughout the year. We will develop a fun presentation where the children will have the opportunity to sing a little and be the center of attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Parent/Teacher CommunicationFor many, this may be your child's first formal education experience and communication is a vital part of understanding the growth and changes your child will exhibit. Sometimes there are questions that arise due to a specific incident that will need addressing right away, while most times we just want to touch base and stay in tune to what is happening. In any event, you should feel comfortable in approaching your child's teacher for professional insight.

Your comments and thoughts are a necessary part of this program. In order to grow and keep up with the needs of the community, we need your input.

EvaluationReady Set Grow reserves the right to ask a student to withdraw at any time for any reason they deem fit. School will be closed on all legal holidays and on days when the safety of the children is endangered such as on days of severe storm or dangerous road conditions. No refunds will be granted when school is closed for the above absences. New York State law requires that all Nursery Schools have the proper medical form on file for each child before the start of the program, and the parent will supply such information prior to the start of the program.

Potty TrainingWe are aware that each child grows out of diapers at their own pace. We encourage the process but will not force any child to use the potty. If you are working on potty training at home please let us know so we can continue at school. Always be sure to have spare diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes including socks with your child each day. We do not have a designated changing time but will look for clues and ask the children about using the potty throughout the course of the day.

CleanlinessHere at Ready, Set, Grow we believe that vigilant hand washing is the best defense against the spreading of cold and viruses. Therefore, the children wash their hands before eating, as well as, whenever necessary.

MedicalA current medial form is required before the first day of class.

IllnessIn the event that your child is not feeling well or not able to attend the program, please notify us as early as possible. Phone number (516) 775-4567. The teacher may wait on a child to begin an activity if it is not certain that the child is not coming. Likewise, it is expected that children arrive on time. We plan a lot into the allotted time and tardiness is not fair to the children.

Inclement WeatherIn the event that the weather is threatening to snow or snow has accumulated and you are not sure whether there is class that day, Long Island Channel 12 will provide school closing information for us and we will contact each parent by phone that morning.

AttendancePlease be advised that there are no make-ups for missed classes.

Dress Since your child will be playing, climbing, jumping and creating with a variety of materials it is advised that they dress comfortably and reserve the dress- up attire for special occasions. Sneakers are preferred. Please be sure your child wears gym shirts on designated days. Gym shoes will be kept at RSG. No dresses on gym days!

Please send in a full change of clothes, just in case your child needs to be changed. These clothes will need to be updated periodically to allow for the change of seasons and growth.

Children will be encouraged to wear a cover- up when painting, but some children who may be uncooperative to covering up will not be forced and even when covered, sometimes paint will find its way onto the child and/or the child�??s clothing. Our primary goal is to encourage your children to have a compassion for art and to not fear getting messy. Please don�??t dress your child in something you wouldn�??t want to get paint on. However, we do use water based paint.

Dropoff & Pick-UpWhen you arrive for class, please enter through the doors on the side of the building designated for Ready Set Grow. It is in your child?s best interest to arrive on time which will help with the transition.

When the program is over, your child will be brought to the waiting room, please be waiting. Children may be upset if you are not there when other parents are.

Special ThanksWithout your support we could not provide this unique early childhood experience. We promise to provide a fun learning atmosphere for your child.

Pre-School Programs for Children in: Bayside, Douglaston, Port Washington, Manhasset, Whitestone, Floral Park, Roslyn, Great Neck, New Hyde Park, East Meadow, Hollis Hills, Malverne, Garden City, Little Neck, Roslyn Harbor, Albertson, Old Westbury, West Hempstead, Douglaston Manor, Glen Oaks, Mineola, Manhasset Hills, Kew Gardens, Williston, Garden City Park, Whitestone, Jamaica, Bellerose, Forest Hills, Jamaica Estates, Searingtown, Wheatley, Shelter Rock, Glen Cove and Westbury.

Please Call us at (516) 775-5545

REGISTER NOW For Summer and Fall 2008!