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At Washington University Nursery School our approach is child-centered. We believe that every child is a unique individual with his or her own pattern and timetable for social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth. Our teachers are attentive to individual needs, serving as catalysts to spark each child's interests and desire to experiment and explore. Our school provides a safe, caring environment that encourages growth and independence in all developmental areas.

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The philosophy of the nursery school is that children learn most effectively through play. Teachers provide the opportunity for children to interact with their environment in ways that are meaningful to them. Our curriculum is "hands-on," where children act upon what they are learning and feeling. It reflects the interests and abilities of the children in the classroom. Our art is "process art," which means that we consider the process more important than the product. All children actively participate with science, art, music, drama and movement specialists.

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The staff at Washington University Nursery School respects and appreciates the talents and personalities of each child and his or her family. A teacher's individual talents are also encouraged as she develops her own personal approach in the classroom. This makes for a vibrant, growing community of children, families, and teachers. As trends in the field of early education change, we evaluate what is new and determine if it would be enriching for our program.

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We encourage creativity in all areas with a special focus on the arts to enhance language and thinking. Above all, our goals are that children will develop a genuine pleasure in learning, that they develop confidence in their ability to learn and to accomplish challenging tasks, and that they gain experience and skills in interacting with others.