About Our Nursery School

BHPCNS Mission Statement
Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church Nursery School (BHPCNS), a mission of the Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, nurtures all aspects of a child’s growth through an age appropriate play-based program.

BHPCNS Philosophy Statement
Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church Nursery School (BHPCNS), a mission of Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, encourages children’s growth in a community of inclusion and respect reflecting core values inspired by faith traditions.  In this loving and caring community children are encouraged to develop their own talents, uniqueness, and self-esteem. 

Play
BHPCNS believes that young children learn best through play.  Our play-based early childhood education program provides hands-on, multi-sensory experiences both indoors and outdoors to foster a lifelong love of learning. 

Grow
Through our nurturing atmosphere and respect for each child’s unique learning style and temperament, our children grow in resilience, confidence, and independence.  Our classroom communities provide an environment where children learn to be kind, respectful, empathetic and to develop relationships with both adults and their peers.

Learn
Our program focuses on the whole child through social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual development tailored to each child’s individual needs.  Our children learn through free play, arts and crafts, individual and communal projects, dramatic play, literature, music, science, foreign language, and creative movement.

 

What Makes BHPCNS Special?

Founded in 1957 by members of the Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, BHPC, the Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church Nursery School, BHPCNS, has grown into a respected pre-school of choice in Bethesda and surrounding communities. Each year BHPCNS welcomes almost 200 – 2, 3, 4, and 5 year olds between September and June to join our play-based programming.  Our long tenured and dedicated teaching staff guides the children as they develop their interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, social-emotional, and critical thinking skills in a joyful, fun, and loving environment. Through play, music, the arts, and nature, BHPCNS lays the foundation for children to become life-long learners.

BHPCNS, a preschool of excellence with an international enrollment, is open to children of all races, faiths, ethnic backgrounds, and nationalities.

The school is easily accessible from both Bradley Blvd. and Greentree Road, and is located on the lower level of the BHPC building. In addition to our indoor classrooms, Rainy Day Room, and other spaces within the building, BHPCNS takes advantage of the 6 plus acre BHPC campus. Our children play on the 3 large and fully fenced playgrounds. Let their imaginations soar at our Outdoor Discovery Center. Ride bikes, play with chalk, balls, scooters, and more on our blacktops. Play games and build with giant blue blocks on our fields, and explore our Children’s Garden complete with bird feeders and vegetable gardens.

Whether our children are exploring in their classrooms or playing at our many outdoor areas, children spend their days PLAYING, GROWING, and LEARNING.

 

Programs Available

Two-Year-Olds: This loosely structured program provides our youngest students with opportunities to interact with peers in small group settings as they explore their natural world through activities which stimulate their emotions and cognitive growth.

  • Programming options for two-year-olds:
    • Monday-Wednesday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
    • Tuesday-Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.
    • For select students a five day option may be available between 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.
    • Children in the 2-year-old program are eligible to participate in our Early Morning with Bradley Bear program between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and our Lunch Bunch program between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
    • For children who turn two between September 1 and December 31, BHPCNS runs a Young 2s’ program beginning each January, when space allows.

Three-Year Olds: The three-year-old program guides children as they grow from being me-centric little ones into collaborative and imaginative play partners. Through creative play-based activities, the children are exposed to a myriad of concepts to develop their social and pre-academic skills.

  • Programming options for three- year-olds:
    • Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
    • Monday-Wednesday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
    • Tuesday-Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
    • Children in the three-year-old programs are eligible to participate in our Early Morning with Bradley Bear program between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and our Stay and Play programming between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily.

Four-Year-Olds (Pre-K): BHPCNS’ programming in the Pre-K year continues to build a child’s interpersonal, leadership, and independence skills while focusing on pre-academic milestones in preparation for more structured kindergarten programming when the children start their formal school years.

  • Programming options for Pre-K students:
    • Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
    • Monday-Wednesday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
    • Children in the Pre-K programs are eligible to participate in our Early Morning with Bradley Bear program between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and our Stay and Play programming between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily.

For more information on our supplemental programs, Early Morning with Bradley Bear, Lunch Bunch, and Stay and Play, please visit the BHPCNS website, www.bhpcns.org, or call the school at 301-365-2909.

 

Additional Enrichment Programming

Two-Year-Old Programs: Music and Singing, American Sign Language, Art, and Story Time & Library

Three-Year-Old Programs: Music and Singing, American Sign Language, Art, Science, Story Time & Library

Four-Year-Old (Pre-K) Programs: Music and Singing, American Sign Language, Drama, Art, Science, Story Time and Library. 

In addition, Special Events are held throughout the school year for all students – from hens and hatching chicks, to our Transportation Days, to musical performances, to visits from some furry and not so furry creatures and so much more.

(All curriculum enhancements and special events are provided at no additional cost.)

 

Financial Assistance 

Available through the Alla Johnson Scholarship Fund established by the Nursery School Board.

 

For more information or to schedule a tour:  Visit the BHPCNS website, bhpcns.org. Or contact the school Director, Liz Sobrino, at Lsobrino@bhpcns.org. Or call the school office at 301-365-2909.