Let Me Play. Trust Me, I’m Learning.
At ESNS we feel that the lifelong process of learning is best fostered in early childhood through play. We believe that children learn best when they are allowed the freedom and opportunity to play and explore with limited, but structured, direction from adults.
Periods of activity and quiet play include:
Outdoor playground activities
Nature walks on the grounds
Dramatic play
Group games
Music-making
Cooking
Art projects
Block and building play
Water play
Field trips
Science projects
We focus on the children’s social and emotional development by encouraging them to identify and discuss their feelings and ideas, and to learn how to resolve conflicts with other people. Indeed, we believe that one of the most important tasks of early childhood is learning how to get along with others. And one of the best ways children learn to develop socially is through play. As children learn to enter play and cooperate with their peers, we gently guide their interactions in order to empower them to advocate for themselves, to include their classmates in their play, and to peacefully resolve conflicts when they inevitably arise.
The school’s program also focuses on the nuts and bolts of early childhood physical and mental development; the children have opportunities to practice their gross- and small-motor skills and they are encouraged to be creative, to explore, and to try out new things. Our daily routine provides many opportunities for the children to practice self-sufficiency. When we encourage children to actively participate in the care of themselves and the world around them, we foster a sense of independence and of pride.
We feel that the most conducive environment for playing is one that gets kids to explore what they are interested in. Thus we have no screens in our classrooms (TVs or computers) to distract them from engaging with what the class has to offer. We get the kids outside, year-round, and incorporate Nature themes in our activities.
Robert Bernstein teaches and makes music every week with the ESNS children. Eight years ago he became the music teacher for ESNS summer camp and that continued into the next school year. A musician for many years, Robert has loved music since early childhood and began playing drums in his teens. When he moved to St. Louis in 2003 he began teaching a Music Together program.
One of the essential ideas he learned from teaching this program is that it can never be too early to introduce and learn music. It is generally understood that learning a second language can start from infancy. Language and music learning share the same part of the brain, so introducing music at infancy can be beneficial AND fun – an important Music Together concept is, “Music learning supports all learning”.
A special note from Robert Bernstein to ESNS families:
“Hopefully your children will tell you at some point about some of the music we make at school. I hope you will take the opportunity to continue the music learning with them at home using some of those songs from our music time as well as introduce songs/music that you enjoy with them as well. If you ever want information about any songs we do in class (lyrics, etc.) just let me know!
I feel that music is an amazing art form, activity and learning tool. It can be experienced on many levels: physically (dance), emotionally and intellectually (among others). I try to include all of these aspects when experiencing music with the classes at ESNS.
It has been a pleasure and privilege to make music with the Green, Blue and Yellow rooms!”
Liz McCane (Science) has been bringing Nature on the Move to the school for eight years. She has a passion for kindling an interest in the natural world in young children, in hopes of them becoming lifelong stewards of their environment. Each month Liz presents a different topic related to Missouri wildlife, using pictures, artifacts and live animals to illustrate her message. A summary of the program is sent home with the students so that parents can reinforce their children’s understanding of the topic.
Membership with the Ethical Society is not a prerequisite for registration to the school.
Full of natural light, our three classrooms are warm and inviting. The cozy environment is enhanced by children’s artwork lining the walls and a wide variety of toys, games, and art materials within their reach.
Our popular playground is composed almost entirely of natural, sustainable materials and allows for creative free play and practice of gross motor skills.
The north end of our property includes beautifully maintained nature trails for children to explore, as well as an outdoor classroom.
Two of our classrooms open to a large porch containing a sandbox, sensory table, and plenty of room to run and play. The children enjoy observing the surrounding vegetation and wildlife.
A local farmer visits frequently to teach the children how to grow their own food organically. The children participate in every step from seed to harvest and at times our snacks are straight from the garden!
Affectionately dubbed “The Rainbow Room” by the children, music class and other large group activities are held here.
We chose Ethical Society Nursery School because we, too, believe in play-based learning. An unexpected bonus for us was how much the school and teachers nurtured our daughters’ social and interpersonal development. Playing and interacting with peers of all different backgrounds and beliefs at such a young age gave our girls the opportunity to develop skills that have allowed them to negotiate, and succeed, in any social situation in school. Our daughters have carried those lessons with them, and are open, ready, and willing to work with anyone and everyone, in and out of school. That is the lasting gift the school has given us and, for that, we are thankful!
Chris and Laura Chisholm, alumni parents
My husband and I have been nothing short of thrilled with the experience our daughter is having at ESNS. The director and teachers are so attentive, caring, and communicative. Our little girl loves going to school and the social/emotional and developmental gains she has made since starting in the fall has been so exciting for us to see!Jenny, parent
When I drop off my daughter at ESNS in the morning, she runs into school excited to play and learn. The small size of the school provides a warm, nurturing atmosphere where all the teachers know her name. At the same time she has plenty of space to grow and develop independently. I love the school’s emphasis on the importance of play and I see how well-prepared my children have been for kindergarten. ESNS has been a wonderful preschool experience!Jenny Kissel , alumni parent
The Ethical Society Nursery School’s play based approach is very nurturing to a wide variety of children. The teachers adapt to each student’s individual needs and are open to educating and caring for each child in a variety of ways. The teachers make the Ethical Society Nursery School a very warm and loving place. I have spent a significant amount of time at Ethical and I absolutely love it. Additionally, the music class is very engaging and all the kids love participating in a fun and interactive special. Krystle Gaehle-Rapp, M.A., BCBA, LBA
A magical place to introduce your child to “school.” They truly understand the needs of 2-5 year olds and the importance of play based learning for healthy social, emotional and behavioral growth. It’s a warm, loving environment and has taught my son to love school. A true hidden gem in St. Louis!Kelly Mehan, parent
I’m able to visit a variety of early childhood programs with Nature On the Move. The teachers at ESNS celebrate children’s natural creativity, imagination and individuality – it’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all program! The children’s responses to my open-ended questions are remarkable for their ingenuity and depth of understanding.Liz McCane, Nature On The Move
Having sent my two (now elementary-aged) daughters through Ethical Society Nursery School, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Not only were they both academically well-prepared for Kindergarten after having finished at ESNS, but additionally because of the unparalleled warm, nurturing atmosphere of the program, they developed strong and lasting relationships with their teachers, director, and classmates. They were honored as individuals and encouraged to develop in their own way throughout their time there, and for me, finding a pre-school that understood and cared about child development enough to foster that was invaluable.
Melissa Reif, alumni parent
I have two children attending ESNS. They are both extremely happy and emotionally supported at the school not only the teachers and staff but also by the parent community. I am amazed by the social and educational strides they both make everyday. They are consistently challenged and encouraged to learn on a level that they are comfortable with. I am so impressed with the teachers philosophies on learning and the processes in which it is carried out. Heather McMillin, parent
The Ethical Society Nursery School staff is truly excellent, with warm, skilled, well- educated individuals who enjoy working with young children. The teachers are the single most important indicator of quality for any school. A note of introduction follows for each teacher.
Director
After 9 years in the Blue Room, Jill has moved into the Director’s role. Jill’s relationship with the school started as the mother of three ESNS graduates: Sophie, a freshman at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism in Phoenix, AZ, Molly, a junior at Nerinx Hall, and Lucy in 8th grade at The College School. As a parent, she served on the ESNS board and as a substitute teacher. She has experience as a past board president at TCS, years of HR and AR work during the time she helped run a local bakery/cafe and currently coaches swimmers at Clayton High School. Jill has a degree in art history from Old Dominion University.
Music
Robert started teaching music at the nursery school in 2005. He has his BS in communications from Boston University. He has been a drummer and performer for over twenty-five years and a lover of music for even longer. In addition to his time at the nursery school, Robert is teaching Music Together classes in the St. Louis area. His son, Lucas, an alum of ESNS started 8th grade this year and his daughter, Emily, just turned 8 this summer.
Teacher (Green Room)
This is Georgette’s fourth year teaching at ESNS. She has been affiliated with the school for eight years, as a parent and a board member. She has three sons, who all attend Christ the King School, and are ESNS alum: Leo is now a Freshman at SLUH, Elliot 5th grade, and Jonah 4rd grade. She has a B.A. in English from Ithaca College, a Ph.D. in 18th-century British Literature from Tulane University and a MLIS from L.S.U., in Baton Rouge. In addition to teaching Writing and Literature classes at Tulane University, Georgette worked in and directed the college’s writing workshop. She also worked as an academic reference librarian at Loyola University’s award-winning Monroe Library. Hurricane Katrina forced her family to evacuate New Orleans, and they relocated to St. Louis in December of 2005.
Director, Summer Camp
Stacie Zink-Duda has been teaching preschool at University United Methodist Preschool for thirteen years. All four of her children graduated from there. She currently loves teaching the four and five year olds who will be going to kindergarten the following year. Every week she also explores and teaches science to the three/four year olds and the four/five year olds. In the Spring every year, she runs an enrichment program called Yearning for Learning for the older children.
Stacie has a masters degree from SIUE in child clinical psychology. This is her third year as director at the Ethical Society Nursery School Summer Camp.
Teacher (Green Room)
A former board member, substitute teacher and current parent at ESNS, Maggie Horn is ready to play in the 2-Day Green Room! She holds a BS in theater and French from Northwestern University and spent more than ten years performing in the vibrant Washington, DC theater scene. She wrote grants and raised funds for different arts organizations too. Maggie has three sons: Charles and Paul, who will be second graders at Reed Elementary and Wesley who is excited to be in the yellow room. In her free time Maggie enjoys baking and experimenting with new flavors when cooking.
Extended Day
Ariel begins her second year as one of our creative, extended day teachers. She has three ESNS alumni: Marley, 12, Abe, 8, and recent graduate, Robin who will attend kindergarten this year. Ariel is studying English Literature at Washington University where she was accepted into the undergraduate honor’s program and is planning to pursue her PhD. In her spare time, she teaches knitting and spinning classes at a local yarn store.
Administrative Assistant
Debbie is not new to the nursery school; she taught for 14 years in the Blue Room. This is her fourth year assisting in the office. She has a BA in art history from University of Minnesota and her preschool experience includes working as a substitute teacher at University United Methodist Preschool and teaching four and five year old children at Hamilton Preschool in Creve Coeur. Her three children are: John, an attorney in New York City, Joseph, a graduate student and Kate, a graduate student in Australia.
Teacher (Yellow Room)
Mindy joins Nuni full time in the Yellow Room this year after a year of shared teaching with Julie and years of substitute teaching here at ESNS. Mindy has a BS in Elementary Education from DePaul University and a BA in Psychology from the University of Iowa. She taught third and four grade in Chicago for seven years and spent one year teaching second grade at Kennard Classical Junior Academy in St Louis. Her son, Max, and daughter, Sasha, are in Clayton schools and her youngest, Graham, is in fifth grade at New City School.
Teacher (Green Room)
For her second year here at ESNS, Julie will join Georgette in teaching the 3 day green room class. Julie has advocated for youth in foster care for over 10 years, coached Girls on the Run at New City School and worked as a volunteer reading tutor for students through the YMCA. Julie is also a Certified Master Gardener and has volunteered at gardens throughout the St Louis area. She has raised two daughters. The oldest, Zoe, attends University of Richmond in Virginia and her youngest, Sarah will be a freshman at George Washington University in DC.
Science
Liz has been teaching science classes at ESNS through the “Nature on the Move” program for 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Swarthmore College and was a Volunteer Naturalist with the Missouri Dept. of Conservation for 10 years. She and her husband, Jim, have been married 35 years and have two grown sons and two Labrador retrievers. Liz enjoys spending time on their property in the Ozarks where she is restoring a native prairie. She is an avid gardener and loves to read, travel, participate in sprint triathlons and stay active in her church.
Teacher (Blue Room)
After four years in the Green Room, Katie moves to the Blue Room to team with Linda. She has her BS in elementary education with a concenctration in children’s literature from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. She has taught pre-k through 4th grade and PE in four cities (including Monterrey, Mexico.) Her son, Mac, is in 8th grade at Chaminade. Her daughters, alumni of the nursery school, are Annie, in 6th grade and Mia in second grade
Teacher (Blue Room)
Linda has a B.S. in Child Development from Missouri State University and a B.S. in Special Education and a B.S. in Education from University of Missouri, St. Louis. She has taught Pre-K and 1st grade at Greenwich Country Day School in Connecticut and Kindergarten in the Bronx. She was a teacher of the Early Childhood Program at The Miriam School. She has a son Kiran (alum of the nursery school) in 7th grade at Ladue Middle School and a daughter Maya in 3rd grade at Old Bonhomme. This is her seventh year teaching at the nursery school.
Teacher (Yellow Room)
Nuni started teaching in the Yellow Room in 1999. After several years, she took some time away, taught extended day, and returned to the Yellow Room in 2007. She graduated from Emory University with a BA in English. She was a teacher assistant for the University City School District, a photo stylist, and in sales before coming to the nursery school. She has three children; Henry is at Columbia College in Chicago, George is a junior at Cornell College in Iowa, and Oliver is in eighth grade at Wydown Middle School in Clayton. They are all alumni of the school.
The Ethical Society Nursery School holds a summer camp every year in June and July.
All kids ages 2 ½ – 5 are welcome.
Sign up for all the weeks or pick and choose which weeks work best for your child.
We will have so much fun creating projects, storytelling, baking, nature hikes, singing, water play and so much more!
Three Day Camp: Meets Tuesday through Thursday from 9a.m. until 12p.m. (Ages 2 ½ – 3)
Five Day Camp: Meets Monday through Friday from 9a.m. until 12p.m. (Ages 3-5)
Extended Day Program: Meets Wednesday and Thursday from 12-2:30p.m.
We build strong partnerships with parents for sharing and communicating through:
Ethical Society Nursery School
9001 Clayton Road
St. Louis, MO 63117
Director: Jill Allen
jillallen23@gmail.com
Tel: (314) 991-1353
