By Norine Longo
When early childhood educators Carol Otto and Joyce Otto graduated from college, the sisters developed a unique progressive curriculum and opened Do and Learn Day Nursery School, LLC.
“The purpose was to be able to create a home-like environment where children could play and learn,” said Carol.
That was 35 years ago. Since then, the curriculum has evolved with the standards of public school to keep up with the needs of children going into kindergarten.
Three years ago, Carol’s older sister made the decision to retire, and Carol followed.
She said it was important to her and Joyce to pass the program along to someone that shared the same passion they did for the school, the children and the program.
Now the director position belongs to longtime Hamilton resident Amy McCormick, who had been with the school eight years prior to her new position. She has a total of 17 years experience in early childhood education.
“Having her as director is comforting because she’s creative, has high energy, new ideas and will continue with our foundation,” Carol said. “It’s still the same program with someone who has just as much invested in it.”
A major part of the school’s success is its small student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention, McCormick said.
Carol said families come to the school referred by area elementary school administrators.
“They see a certain readiness level in the children who are going into their schools who come from here,” Carol said.
Group teachers are certified and have bachelor’s or master’s degrees in early childhood education. Each classroom has assistants, some having been there for more than 20 years.
“We found a talented blend of personalities who we chose because they have a passion for it like we did,” said Carol of the teachers.
McCormick, whose three children have attended the program, (one still does), describes the staff and children like an extended family, making coming to work a pleasure.
“The support you get from the families and staff, you don’t find that at other places,” McCormick said.
Children who once learned at the school have grown up and are sending kids of their own to the school, McCormick said, something derived from the positive experience they had when they were there.
The school’s full-time program accepts ages 3 to 5 years and runs weekdays September through June from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Their part-time program runs from a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Both offer a balance of learning and free play.
The school also offers a summer camp program running July through August for children up to age 6. Children can enroll for as little as one week or as many as 7 weeks full or part time. The summer camp’s curriculum is not progressive and has weekly themes like science magic, builder’s week or Dr. Seuss’s “Oh the Places you’ll go.”
McCormick said the children enjoy field trips. In the past, the school has visited West Haven Farms for pumpkin picking and hayrides, Kelsey Theatre for childrens’ plays, Veterans Park for a nature walk and scavenger hunt and even Nottingham Fire Company during a unit on safety.
The school’s curriculum also tries to integrate the parents and their areas of expertise by inviting them to share their talents and abilities with students in the classroom.
At the end of each year, the school hosts a Pre-K graduation ceremony complete with songs and speeches by the children drawing upon concepts learned during the year. Students receive diplomas and makes their own caps in a ceremony usually held in the play yard.
Do and Learn Day Nursery School will have an open house Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for parents and children interested in the program. Special guest child singer and songwriter Mr. Ray is slated to perform at 10:30 a.m.
Do and Learn is located at 2575 Yardville Hamilton Square Road in Hamilton. For more information, contact (609) 890-1330.
Do and Learn Day Nursery School director Amy McCormick helps her son, 3-year-old Colin McCormick, think about where to place the next piece of the puzzle in the classroom March 3, 2010. (Staff photo by Norine Longo.),
