The Community School In Nutley

When our daughter was two, she had trouble expressing her feelings very well due to language barrier. We started looking for the right school that is caring and willing to help us and our daughter to overcome this challenge. Now after 2 years, we could not be happier that we chose The Community School for our daughter. We have seen how much our daughter has bloosomed as a person both mentaly and physically. The director, office manager and the teachers are so caring, now we consider them as our extended family. Thank you so much, The Community School, for providing excellent care to the kids in our neighborhood!
--Submitted by a parent

When our family came to Community School, we had already looked at several schools in the area. Everyone here is warm and embracing. They have a good educational philosophy and the kids are the best prepared for kindergarten of all the schools we'd seen. The play area is big. They have a huge gym and a big play room, lots of equipment and yoga and music class (my kids love music). They really concentrate on each child. People giving this school poor reviews - why do you stay if you don't like it? Doesn't make sense
--Submitted by a parent

Not crazy about this school at all. Our child has been going to this school since the age of 2. The communication between teacher and parent it's terrible. By the time I pick up my child the student aids can't even answer basic questions. When we first went to look at the school they presented as a totally different school. They don't sign in your kid, the security is terrible as the door is always unlocked, and they don't teach the kids anything!
--Submitted by a parent

The Community School in Nutley has been the greatest experience for our children and family. We have been sending our children here for close to 10 years since we have three children and they now range in age from 4 through 10 (the oldest attends the older children's summer camp). The teachers are all educated and have years of experience with children. The Director does a great job making sure that the programs are up to date and in line with child development and that every family is accomodated according to their needs. The teaching staff takes time with each child to make sure they progressing and ready for the next step. I visited many schools and this is the best you will get for your child. (I read the review on here about discrimination and we have never experienced that. There is something else going on with that family. Everyone is embraced and accepted. Some children may need more help and services than a mainstream child care center can provide and it's a difficult situation for parents to accept.and they sometimes blame the school) Community SChool is a great place - WE LOVE IT! Joanne
--Submitted by a parent

My son has just started his last year here at the age of 4, and began when he was 2 1/2. I He will attend a full day Kindergarten in Nutley next year. If I find a major problem then, I'll come back to repost! However, as a school occupational therapist with 12 years of experience an an MA I can reiterate the importance of the socialization that occurs during the preschool years, as well as the ability to learn to attend and follow directions. I've read that kindergarten teachers are more interested in this than anything else, as it enables them to do their job and teach! Also, arts and crafts are excellent mediums to build the fine motor skills necessary for things like holding a pencil and cutting with scissors. And yes they do work on trying to teach children to write their names. Unfortunately the kindergarten curriculum in public schools these days is more advanced than a child's developmental level. A child needs to be able to draw a triangle (average age is 5 years 3 months) before being able to write letters such as "A". So it is at the discretion of the parent to decide what is more important. For me, it is knowing that my son is happy, just like the bunny in his class.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has just went through the whole program and he really loved the school. All the teachers are very caring, and in my son's case it was very important, since he requires attention when dropped off - separation anxiety. I cannot make a judgement how much he learned, but he definitely knows how to write his name and recognizes various words (i.e. reads them). I think it all depends on the particular child and its needs. In my case at such an early age it does not matter if he is the most advanced reader, etc. It is so easy to catch up later on. When he goes to kindergarten, I'll be able to judge more effectively how much he knows versus other kids. The bottom line is that if your child is delicate and requires warmth, attention and care - this is the school for you. If you care about having the child read, write and calculate ASAP over the socializing and interpersonal skill development, this might not be the school. I am glad that my son attended CSN because his social skills are amazing and that is very hard to develop later on in life. Reading, writing, math and science are easy. I am very grateful to all the teachers at CSN. --- Dad (with PhD in Science, not social science)
--Submitted by a parent

My son also went to Community School and didn't learn anything but socialization. He couldn't even write nor recognize his name. All he learned was arts & crafts. We as parents can teach them arts & crafts. I sent my daughter to a different preschool and what a difference on the academics and learning. She was able to read before kindergarten. Don't blame it on the parenting skills. I would agree with the complaining parents. Never once had any teacher / parent conference to see how my son progressed. All I saw was the stuff he made. There was no focus on academics. With a full day kindergarten in the Nutley school system, Community does not prepare a child. The school needs to update their program as the board of education has encouraged them to do so.
--Submitted by a parent

My children attend community and I hate to break it to the complaining parents on here but nursery school is intended to develop social skills. The parents on here complaining about their kids not learning anything may want to re-evaluate their parenting skills. We teach our sons to count, to read, to write. Nursery school is for kids to learn basic socialization skills before attending public school. Anyone who rates this school low because their kids arent learning basic skills is doing a poor job parenting. Dont look for someone else to raise your children for you.
--Submitted by a parent

I have to agree with the mom below. This is not a school that demonstrates excellence in any way. After speaking with other moms and most recently visiting other schools, I realized just how little education he was receiving. There is no daily communication log between parent and teacher and very seldom do the bring anything home that they are working on. (A scribble on a piece of paper does not count). I do believe the school may have been well-run at one time, but their standards have A LOT to be desired at this time. We will be moving our son and siblings in the future at the start of the new year.
--Submitted by a parent

They do not teach anything. I don't know why anyone would rate this school at 5 stars. They say they teach through play. That is great for socialization but what about teaching them how to at least write their name correctly. They do not prepare them adequately for kindergarten. I am now sending my other children to a different school and the difference is incredible. Not to mention the tuition fee is about 30% lower. I was very disappointed in this school. I must clarify that the teachers were great but they were instructed NOT to teach. That I really don't understand.
--Submitted by a parent