Schools

Area Nursery Schools Say Universal Pre-K Affects Enrollment

Parents tell nursery schools that economy is also a factor.

As gets ready to offer Universal Pre-K for another school year, some local nursery schools say that enrollment has dipped as a result of the program along with the economy.

The district announced that it will continue with its Universal Pre-K program and is beginning to accept applications for the next school year, according to its website. The half-day program starts in September and will be held at one of the elementary schools.

In a letter to parents, Superintendent Joseph Rella said that a lottery will be held to determine enrollment for children who will be four years old on Dec. 1.

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Universal Pre-K programs are a boon to parents who make it into the lottery, according to Rosemarie Tedesco, who is assistant director of the in Port Jefferson Station but it hurts independent schools in the area.

“Free is always better than paying,” she said. “It really hurt us a lot.”

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Tedesco said that 97 percent of her students are from the Comsewogue School District so when they introduced Universal Pre-K a few years ago, the school saw enrollment plummet.

“We used to have between 60 to 70 kids,” she said. “Now we have 20.”

She also said the current financial situation has hurt the families as well.

“With the economy you can’t blame parents,” she said.

Sharon Glasson, director and owner of in Port Jefferson Station agrees.

“Yes it has,” she said when asked if Universal Pre-K is keeping enrollment at her school down.

She also said the economy has affected her business. Montessori Children offers five, three and two-day programs. Most of the children are in the two-day program. Many of the parents tell her they’d love for their children to attend more often but they can’t afford it.

Glasson has also seen parents hesitant to reenroll for next September while they await the results of the Comsewogue’s Universal Pre-K lottery.

“Most are saying if they can get into Universal Pre-K they’d go that way,” she said.

Montessori Children can handle up to 25 kids per day. On their one busiest days of the week there are 18 children attending.

What both schools say is that they offer a unique experience and program for the kids.

Glasson said that the teaching philosophy of her school is what brought parents in.

“Montessori lured them,” she said.

The school also offers brand new facilities and equipment as well as its holistic education philosophy developed Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 20th century.

Tedesco says that Christ Church Nursery School considers itself a family and provides children with a fun learning experience.

“Parents feel we’re a very loving, nurturing preschool,” she said. “We just feel like we have a lot to offer.”

Although the school is part of it is open to all denominations. It still offers once a week bible lessons when the director reads a story and the kids sing songs.

“It’s right on their level for them to understand,” Tedesco said.

For the Comsewogue’s Universal Pre-K program, applications must be turned into Jennifer J. Reph at the district office no later than Friday, May 4. The lottery will be conducted on Friday, June 8 at 9:00 a.m. in the District Board Room at the Norwood Avenue School. Successful applicants will be contacted.


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