History: Nosworthy's Nursery School

Nosworthy’s Nursery School History:

In 1952 Blanche (Linscheid) Nosworthy made a career decision to set aside the secretarial job she was so well trained for and follow her heart on a new path that would allow her to be at home for her own children. She opened her home as a full day Nursery School today known as Nosworthy’s Nursery School. Nursery School is a name that is out of fashion but it is the name that fits her Philosophy of Child Centered Learning.

Intuitively, Blanche knew that children learn through play. She understood that what might appear to be simply making a mud pie was so much richer in value and multi-layered with learning than the surface of the project would appear. To make the best mud pie you must have the right kind of dirt and proper amount of water. Which bowl and what type of mixing utensil will you choose? If you are baking with a friend then, beyond the physical science involved, oral language skills develop and are strengthened, as is the bond of friendship when you share mud pie and tea. From this recipe and the enriched learning environment, school readiness emerges.

Blanche Nosworthy did not believe in structuring education nor having young children sit in seats and put pencil to paper in Teacher directed activities for learning alphabet, shapes or colors. She knew children would learn at their own pace recognizing their own name on their paintings, then interest in letters and later guessing a word in a predictable text story or making up silly rhymes. Teachers also use their knowledge of languages to help children learn basic phrases and counting, expanding their world to include people from many cultures.

Activity is key to learning for 3 to 5 year olds. Having the freedom to become completely engrossed in an activity of their own creation and stay with that activity for as long as it is meaningful to them helps children develop their attention span and contributes to a lifelong love of learning. No timed rotation through activity centers at Nosworthy’s. Timed “Activity Centers” and rotations cause frustration for the child who is expected to focus then abruptly stop what they are doing on cue in order to conform thus shortening their attention span. Blanche Nosworthy was not a conformist. Independent Thinking and Learning through Doing are fostered here.

Nosworthy’s Goal: Help children develop Questioning and Problem Solving skills that build Self Confidence and Self Sufficiency and an understanding of Self as a member of our Nursery School Community.

A child who has attended Nosworthy’s Nursery is well prepared for success in school.