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

  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 ‘afterhours’ at NDS for educators, childcare providers, college students and the community at large

Partnerships

• Bennington County Childcare Association
• Burr and Burton Academy
• Frog Hollow
• Hildene
• Manchester Elementary Middle School
• Mark Skinner Library
• Riley Rink
• Southern Vermont Art Center

Back to top