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Youth - Children's
School
Boys'
& Girls' Club | Children's School | Group One | Additional Activities
Built
in 1921, the Children's School pioneered the concept of nursery
school education. Additions made in 1926, 1947 and 1969 were
followed by a full renovation and expansion in 1994 to its present
size and capacity.
Philosophy &
Mission
Children's
School is a developmental preschool for youth ages 3-5. The program
includes a wide range of social, recreational and educational
activities. Weekly themes often incorporate other Chautauqua
programs in the areas of music, drama and art. A relationship
with the Chautauqua community and its unique opportunities continue.
Staffing
The Children's
School is under the leadership of Director Kit Trapasso, a school
psychologist in Medina, NY. Kit has served the Children's School
as director since 1984. Each classroom is staffed with: one certified
head teacher; one assistant teacher; one college-age assistant;
and one high school-age assistant. The teachers work as a team
and share classroom responsibilities to create an enriching,
positive atmosphere. In addition, a high percentage of staff
returns to the Children's School each year.
Program
The program
hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- noon. The school has 6 classrooms
with a maximum of 25-30 students in each.
A typical
day at Children's School includes:
- Developmental
play
- Circle time
(reading, singing…)
- Activity centers
(focusing on weekly theme)
- Music
- Special guest
programs
- Snack time
- Outdoor play
- Each week offers
a different theme in the Children's School curriculum. Guests
or speakers often are included to share their special talents
with the children.
Transportation
Children
enrolled in the Children's School may ride the special bus to
and from the school. Please take your child to Children's School
on the first day of attendance to receive specific bus stop information.
If you are walking with your child, please be especially careful
near the school and the areas designated for bus pick-up and
drop-off. If driving your child (from outside the grounds), you
must enter via the Hurst Gate, proceed straight on Hurst to Hedding,
make a left and park along Hedding. You may leave your car there
briefly while you walk your child to the school. For the safety
of our children, do not drive directly to the school or park
in any area other than Hedding Avenue. Thanks!
Frequently Asked
Questions
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Do any of the staff babysit
during the season? |
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A list of babysitters
from the grounds and surrounding community is compiled by the
Office of Recreation and Youth Services (see Babysitting). This
list may or may not include Children's School staff. |
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How do I register my child
for Children's School? |
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1. Between mid-January
and late-June, call the Chautauqua Ticket Office at 716-357-6250,
or
2. Fill out the ticket order form and return to the Chautauqua
Institution, or
3. During the season, register directly at the Children's School,
weekdays 8:30 a.m.-noon, and Sundays noon-3 p.m. in the Colonnade
lobby.
Group size is
limited and preregistration is strongly recommended. Many groups
routinely reach capacity and late registrants are turned away.
Minimum registration is one week. |
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What should my child wear? |
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Children should
wear clothing and shoes appropriate for active play (no open-toed
shoes). Parents should supply an extra set of clothes for any
accidents or emergencies (note: all children must be toilet-trained
before attending Children's School). There is space in each classroom
to store extra clothing. Be sure all articles are labeled with
the child's full name. |
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Do the children take naps? |
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The daily schedule
does not include a nap time but the children do take quiet "breaks"
and have a snack during the morning. |
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May I enroll my 2 1/2 year
old in the 3 year old class if he/she has been in a nursery school
at home or is exceptionally mature? |
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No, children must
be at least 3 years of age at the time of enrollment. |
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Do the children spend their
entire morning in the classroom? |
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A typical day at
the Children's School includes classroom-based activities but
also includes outdoor play, walking to other Chautauqua program
sites or visits to the Smith Memorial Library for story hours. |
Children's School
Fees 2008:
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Duration |
First Child |
Additional Child |
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Season (7-9 weeks) |
$655.00 |
$395.00 |
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8 weeks |
$620.00 |
$370.00 |
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7 weeks |
$570.00 |
$340.00 |
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6 weeks |
$515.00 |
$310.00 |
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5 weeks |
$455.00 |
$275.00 |
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4 weeks |
$385.00 |
$230.00 |
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3 weeks |
$315.00 |
$185.00 |
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2 weeks |
$225.00 |
$135.00 |
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1 week |
$135.00 |
$ 80.00 |
Click
here to buy tickets
Special Information
for Parents of Three-Year-Olds:
Our three-year-old
program is designed for children who are "potty trained."
We do not have sufficient staff and facilities to assist children
who require diapering or who have consistent problems using the
toilet. For program purposes, "pull-ups" style diapers
do not constitute "toilet trained." We urge you to
consider your child's comfort level with using the toilet prior
to registering. We recognize that three-year-olds can experience
occasional accidents and we invite all parents to send a change
of clothing with their child at the start of their child's enrollment
(see below). We also recognize that children who have not been
in programs such as this may also experience some regression.
However, if your child arrives in diapers and/or is unable to
use the toilet with assistance consistently, his or her enrollment
will be canceled and a refund issued.
Families of incoming
three-year-olds are invited and encouraged to help ease their
child's entry into the program by familiarizing their child with
the Children's School campus and classrooms. Parents and children
are welcome to visit the School, the Red and Green three-year-old
classrooms and our playgrounds on Monday through Friday afternoons
and/or on Saturdays and Sundays.
Regardless of
previous experiences, new threes will undergo many new experiences
as they begin their stay at Children's School. Your child may
need adult support as he or she enters the program. We invite
you to remain in the classroom until your child is comfortable.
Please feel free to check back on your child at any point during
the morning. You may also ask a staff member to check on your
child and give you an update.
Please send an
extra change of clothing for your child. Please put the clothing
in a bag with your child's name clearly marked on the outside.
This bag will be kept in a cubby and returned at the end of your
child's stay in the program. |
