Our Programs, Services and Partnerships...

The NDS offers age-appropriate educational programs and play. Hot meals are prepared on-site twice daily and include an afternoon snack. NDS provides space for instructor training, parenting sessions and other community programs to enrich family opportunities in the region.

Some examples include: Programs

• VINS - Vermont Institute of Natural Science ‘Small Wonders’ program for young children, as well as staff training to incorporate science in preschool programs
• Music Together -10 weekly well-paced 50-minute music classes
• Book It Beginners - an eight-week reading program sponsored by Pizza Hut to encourage teachers and parents to read aloud to young children
• Head Start P.L.U.S. - Bennington County Head Start provides programs for a portion of the day to NDS children with special needs to prepare them for kindergarten
• Turning Wheel Art and Nature Exploration Center- Students in this class will use clay to create projects that can be used in nature such as birdhouses, garden sculpture and wind chimes, as well as preserving images of nature in clay through press molds.
• National Forest Service - each year Smoky the bear makes a visit to NDS and speaks with the children about fire prevention.

      Services

• After School Program - NDS cares for children from six to twelve years of age from 3-5:30 pm each school day
• Essential Early Education - assessment and identification of learning problems, in conjunction with Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union
• Parenting Workshops - in partnership with United Counseling, including classes in Stress Management and Early Childhood Development
• Workshops - professional development courses are offered ‘after hours’ at NDS for educators, childcare providers, college students and the community at large
• Tooth Fairy Visits- NDS is a "Tooth Tudor School" with annual visits by Tooth Fairy Amy Jo Montgomery to teach students about the importance of good dental hygiene.

Partnerships

• Bennington County Childcare Association
• Burr and Burton Academy
• Northshire Book Store
• Hildene
• Manchester Elementary Middle School
• Mark Skinner Library
• Riley Rink
• Southern Vermont Art Center
• Manchester Parks and Rec
• Vermont Country Store

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