Best preschools / nursery schools in Ridgewood, NJ? (Somerville, Linwood: co-op, credit)

[babybluepumpkin]

Hi,
I'm moving to Ridgewood and looking for some insider advice on the best preschools or nursery schools in Ridgewood.
Thanks!

[LynW676]

Are you looking for all day/daycare, or traditional half day programs? Are you interested in heavy academics or general socialization/independence skills?
There are a lot of preschools here and there are different programs and philosophies in each...

[babybluepumpkin]

Hi,
I'm looking for a traditional nursery school...something that focuses on confidence, social development. Not so much heavy academics. Not really interested in Montessori either. Any tips?
Thanks!

[LynW676]

My kids went to the nursery school at First Presbyterian Church, on the corner of East Ridgewood Avenue and South Van Dien Avenue. Now, my kids are now 22, 25 and 27, but I have had friends and neighbors who have sent their kids there since then and have been very happy. The director who was there when my kids were there just recently retired, and they don't have a huge turnover in staffing.
It is also more reasonably priced than most.

The programs are mostly 4 days a week (no Wednesdays) in the morning or afternoon. It is very traditional, with a combination of structure and free play, outdoor time, music, physical education and lots of arts and crafts. Four year olds do some light academics....working on letter sounds and number values.

That would be my suggestion.
I believe that West Side Presbyterian has a similar program on the other side of town.

[kristin1]

I sent my children to Friend's Neighborhood School on Highwood Ave in Ridgewood. It was a great experience for my kids. Low student to teacher ratio. A genuinely homey, caring environment. It is also a coop, which is something I was looking for. PM me if you want more info

Also try Bethlehem Lutheran School on Linwood Avenue. It seems to be the "hot" one right now. I believe their classes were full last year in January. They had waiting lists of 10-20 kids long.

Ridgewood seems to be one of those towns where classes fill up quickly everywhere, so I would be prepared to make a decision/sign up by December.

I'm not a fan of any of the Montessori programs in ridgewood. They require the child to be there too many days/week (usually 5 days). I was not interested in that for my 2.5 year old since I did not need daycare.

Hope that helps!

[4my3boys]

I live in a neighboring town; but have several friends in Ridgewood who have sent and are currently sending their children to 1st Presbyterian Nursery School on Van Dien and E. Ridgewood Ave. They seem to have a loyal following of repeat families who are very happy there. They do now have a 5 Day PreK class and afternoon lunch and enrichment classes as additional options. Worth checking it out.

[Kax]

Quick run down on Ridgewood preschools:

First Presbyterian (known as "First Press"): great and very popular traditional preschool on the East side of town, most students will move on to Travell, Somerville, Hawes elementary schools.

Westside Nursery School: equally great and very popular traditional nursery school located in the Westside Presbyterian Church on the West side of town, with most students moving on to Willard, Ridge and Orchard elementary schools.

Both of the above mentioned schools have very similar traditional preschool programs, but are located on different sides of town. Of course some from the East side of town go to Westside and vice versa, but generally east side uses First Press and Westside Westside Nursury School.


Montessori Learning Center: Very, very popular preschool program that uses a "modified montessori" approach. Now located across from Stop and Shop, this is a very well attended program so if you are interested sign up early.

Green Twig School: located in Midland Park (right next to Ridgewood) this is another very, very popular school using the "modified montessori" approach.

Ridgewood Montessori: this school uses the traditional montessori learning approach.

The above mentioned schools are the most frequently used preschools in town, however there are millions of additional options available. Definately visit them all and see which one seems like the right fit for your child. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

[darylnb]

my son goes to YWCA nursery school in Ridgewood by Oak St.. they are not traditional and are NAEYC accredited

[ntkennedy]

Having 5 children and gone through 4 preschools, Bethlehem Lutheran is tops. I have gone to Ridgewood co-op ( the director is a bit dry) and First Pres for many years . Although I liked First pres when we attendend Bethlehem Lutheran blows it away. You get a touch of everything, academics ,socialization , religion. First Pres was more babysitting than anything. My boys didn't learn much. My daughter who attends BL has gotten so much more than I ever expected! The staff is warm , loving and friendly. I highly recommend this school.

[brittalia]

does anyone know anything about Little Crane Montessori in Ridgewood?