OUR TEACHING STAFF

Our commitment to quality education is evident in the smiling faces of our children and our high teacher retention rate. At ORNS, all of our classroom teachers have four year degrees in education or early childhood. All together the staff has been teaching for over 165 years! Throughout the school year, staff participate in continuing education to further their knowledge about child development and early childhood education.

PLAY-BASED LEARNING

Through play-based learning, preschool children actively participate, investigate, discover, play and explore while the teachers at ORNS act as mentors. As a result, each child's learning experience is more personalized and meaningful while receiving the support and guidance he/she individually needs.

Choosing a play-based preschool like ORNS is important. Research shows that young children learn best when playing. A play-based curriculum helps preschoolers become critical thinkers and problem-solvers. In a study of fourth grade children, those who attended play-based preschools where children often initiated their own activities had better academic performance than those who attended academic-oriented preschools.*

* Rae Pica, A Running Start (New York:  Marlowe & Company, 2006)

ACCREDITATIONS, CREDENTIALS AND STANDARDS

• Licensed by: State of Wisconsin
• Accredited by: City of Madison
• Curriculum based on: Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards

BENEFITS OF NON-PROFIT STATUS

ORNS is a 501-(c)(3), non-profit preschool. It is administered by staff, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and maintains a tax-exempt status.  Further, many of the needs of the preschool are addressed by additional parent and community volunteers who frequently provide goods and services pro bono or at a significant discount. Through this structure, ORNS is able to provide an excellent value to families by keeping tuition economical. Although ORNS is always mindful of the bottom line and maintains a healthy financial reserve, providing profitable returns to owners and/or stockholders is not a need.  Therefore, all money paid in by families and raised through fundraising initiatives is put to use to provide the very best preschool experience possible.

BENEFITS FOR YOUR CHILD

ORNS provides a safe and caring learning community where children have the opportunity to be the best they can be! 

• CLASSROOM COMMUNITY: children develop a true sense of belonging in their classroom community with one teacher and small group sizes in a building built just for preschoolers

• ACADEMICS and 4K: teachers meet children's intellectual needs by planning activities based on the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards

• TEACHABLE MOMENTS: children learn as they play with the support of reflective teachers who make learning come alive

• SOCIAL PROBLEM SOLVING: children learn how to negotiate with friends and adults throughout their day

• SELF HELP SKILLS: children develop self-confidence and independence when they organize backpacks, wash hands, pour drinks, serve themselves snacks and dress for outdoor fun

• COMMUNICATIONS: children learn how to use words effectively, and just as importantly, they learn how to be good listeners too

• FEELINGS AND EMPATHY: children learn appropriate ways to express how they feel and develop understanding of others as well

• ART, MUSIC AND CREATIVE DRAMATICS: children draw, paint, sing, dance, pretend, imagine and explore their world through self-expression