SPNDS: Programs & Tuition
› Programs
All of our classrooms focus on the emergent curriculum; teachers observe the children’s interests and abilities and plan activities accordingly. The challenge for teachers in preparing our curriculum is to find ways to make learning developmentally appropriate and enjoyable. Please note that Play Pals is a 5 mornings/week program, and NDS and K Complement are 5 days/week, with extended day options.
3 Year Olds:
In order to be admitted as a 3-year-old, the child must be 3 by October 1, and toilet-trained. The 3’s focus on being comfortable separating from their familiar adults, gaining independence, and becoming aware of membership in a group. The children play freely with classroom materials, and engage in projects that involve group participation and cooperation. Often the 3-year-olds need support as they learn to transition comfortably from their classroom to music, creative dramatics, science, and wood shop.
4 Year Olds:
The three 4-year-old classes are grouped homogeneously by age, and again, teachers observe and prepare their curricula according to the children’s maturity and interests. There are multiple opportunities for the 4’s to work with numbers and letters and to explore concepts. Story time gives them the opportunity to learn to listen and ask questions. Time with the special teachers (music, creative dramatics, science, and wood shop) enables them to interact with a variety of teachers.
Morning preschoolers may stay for our “Lunch Bunch” program as few as 2 days a week or as many as 5. Their afternoons provide opportunities to interact with children who are in various morning classes, and to select from a variety of options, including art, game room and table activities. Lunch Bunch begins where the morning program ends, at 11:45, and ends at 2:45.
Kindergarteners:
SPNDS offers a “kindergarten complement” – an opportunity for children to add to their kindergarten experience by coming to us either before or after their more formal programs in District schools. The kindergarten curriculum is interdisciplinary; it focuses on habitats, and the direction it takes depends on the interests of the children.
Play Pals:
The perfect introduction to preschool! In our newest program for 2-year-olds, our youngest learners engage in musical and play activities that are “just right” for this age group five mornings per week. This is a drop-off program, though parents may stay for the first orientation class.
The motto at SPNDS is “learning joy,” and when school is in session, you do hear the sounds of happy children!
PROGRAM |
DESCRIPTION |
| Play Pals 9:15-11:15 a.m. M-F, 5 days/week |
The perfect introduction to preschool! In our program for 2-year-olds, our youngest learners will engage in musical and play activities that are “just right” for this age group. This is a drop-off program, though parents may stay for the first orientation class. NOTE: Students do NOT need to be potty-trained to enroll in Play Pals but must be 2 years-old by Sept. 1. |
| Nursery Day School 9:00-11:45 a.m., M-F, 5 days/week |
All areas of development—social, emotional, cognitive, and physical—are of equal importance at Nursery Day School. Our curriculum emerges as children participate in hands-on, play-based activities. Readiness skills are adeptly integrated into these activities. We help children express their individuality while learning to respect the rights of others. Outdoor play is an important part of our program, and all students participate in our Specials classes: Music, Art, Creative Movement, Science, Library and Woodshop. Students bring water bottles and snacks from home to enjoy. NOTE: Students must be potty-trained and turn 3 years-old by September 1, to enroll in Nursery Day School. |
| Kindergarten Complement AM: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. PM: 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. M-F, 5 days/week |
In our Complement program, we reinforce and apply concepts and skills learned in kindergarten, while also enriching this education through the exploration of ideas and themes. We also offer students the time, space, and structure to play and socialize. Like in Nursery Day School, all students participate in outdoor play as well as our Specials classes: Music, Art, Creative Movement, Library, and Woodshop. We offer one kindergarten complement class in the morning and one in the afternoon. Space is limited, and we strongly encourage you NOT to wait for the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District (WSSD) kindergarten lottery in March to apply. We will work with families as much as possible post-lottery if a change is required. Note: Only children in the WSSD can ride the buses to or from their elementary school and SPNDS. |
| Lunch Bunch for Nursery Day School Students 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Minimum of 2 days/week |
Students eat lunch together and participate in a variety of academic and social activities after Nursery Day School ends. We require families to enroll for a minimum of two days per week. We suggest that you sign up for the days you expect to need and inform the office ASAP if your plans change. (We found it’s much easier to reduce the number of days than to increase later in the year.) NOTE: Students bring their own lunch and drink from home. Rest and nap times are permitted. |
| Early Bird, 8:15-9 a.m. Stay & Play, 2:45-3:30 p.m. |
Early Bird (for Nursery Day School students and Morning Kindergarteners) and Stay & Play (for Lunch Bunch students and Afternoon Kindergarteners) are available to better accommodate parents’ daily schedules. There is an additional fee for these programs, and enrollment is limited. We require a minimum of two days per week. |
PROGRAM & DESCRIPTION |
| Play Pals 9:15-11:15 a.m. M-F, 5 days/week The perfect introduction to preschool! In our program for 2-year-olds, our youngest learners will engage in musical and play activities that are “just right” for this age group. This is a drop-off program, though parents may stay for the first orientation class. NOTE: Students do NOT need to be potty-trained to enroll in Play Pals, but must be 2 years-old by September 1. |
| Nursery Day School 9:00-11:45 a.m., M-F, 5 days/week All areas of development—social, emotional, cognitive, and physical—are of equal importance at Nursery Day School. Our curriculum emerges as children participate in hands-on, play-based activities. Readiness skills are adeptly integrated into these activities. We help children express their individuality while learning to respect the rights of others. Outdoor play is an important part of our program, and all students participate in our Specials classes: Music, Art, Creative Movement, Science, Library and Woodshop. Students bring water bottles and snacks from home to enjoy. NOTE: Students must be potty-trained and turn 3 years-old by September 1, to enroll in Nursery Day School. |
| Kindergarten Complement AM: 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. PM: 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. M-F, 5 days/week In our Complement program, we reinforce and apply concepts and skills learned in kindergarten, while also enriching this education through the exploration of ideas and themes. We also offer students the time, space, and structure to play and socialize. Like in Nursery Day School, all students participate in outdoor play as well as our Specials classes: Music, Art, Creative Movement, Library, and Woodshop. We offer one kindergarten complement class in the morning and one in the afternoon. Space is limited, and we strongly encourage you NOT to wait for the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District (WSSD) kindergarten lottery in March to apply. We will work with families as much as possible post-lottery if a change is required. Note: Only children in the WSSD can ride the buses to or from their elementary school and SPNDS. |
| Lunch Bunch for Nursery Day School Students 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Minimum of 2 days/week Students eat lunch together and participate in a variety of academic and social activities after Nursery Day School ends. We require families to enroll for a minimum of two days per week. We suggest that you sign up for the days you expect to need and inform the office ASAP if your plans change. (We found it’s much easier to reduce the number of days than to increase later in the year.) NOTE: Students bring their own lunch and drink from home. Rest and nap times are permitted. |
| Early Bird, 8:15-9 a.m. Stay & Play, 2:45-3:30 p.m. Early Bird (for Nursery Day School students and Morning Kindergarteners) and Stay & Play (for Lunch Bunch students and Afternoon Kindergarteners) are available to better accommodate parents’ daily schedules. There is an additional fee for these programs, and enrollment is limited. We require a minimum of two days per week. |
Nursery School Tuition
› SPNDS Tuition
| PROGRAM | YEARLY FEE | 10 Months |
|---|---|---|
| Play Pals (5 Days) | $4,200 | $420/mo. |
| Nursery Day School | $4,944 | $494.40/mo. |
| Kindergarten Complement | $5,109 | $510.90/mo. |
| Lunch Bunch – Extended Day Program | ||
| 5 Days per Week | $4,310 | $431/mo. |
| 4 Days per Week | $4,180 | $418/mo. |
| 3 Days per Week | $3,940 | $394/mo. |
| 2 Days per Week | $3,663 | $366/mo. |
| Early Bird or Stay & Play (each) | ||
| 5 Days per Week | $845 | $85/mo. |
| 4 Days per Week | $790 | $79/mo. |
| 3 Days per Week | $735 | $74/mo. |
| 2 Days per Week | $682 | $68/mo. |
View the 2024 – 2025 SPNDS Fee Schedule by clicking here: 2024-2025 Programs & Tuition
View the 2024 – 2025 SPNDS Application by clicking here: 2024-2025 Application Form
View the SPNDS 2023-2024 Calendar by clicking here: SPNDS 2023-2024 Calendar
› Contact Information
Deb Hansen
SPNDS Director
727 Harvard Avenue
Swarthmore, PA 19081
Phone: 610-543-2861
SPNDS@swarthmorepres.org
SPNDS Brightwheel Payment Portal
To make tuition and registration payments click on the button below. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Kristen or Deb
SPNDS Vanco Portal
Make a donation to to the Scholarship Fund or General Fund through the SPNDS Vanco Payment Portal.
Every Spring Swarthmore Presbyterian Nursery Day School celebrates the creativity of its students with an art show for families. Click in the link above to watch a video of one of our favorites.
