About us

Our Mission is to ignite a lifelong love of learning in children ages two through five by fostering joyful, play-based exploration in a safe, nurturing community where families and teachers partner to support every child’s growth.


Our Vision is to spark a lifelong love of learning that extends beyond our classrooms — empowering children, enriching families, and inspiring communities to thrive together.

Our Values

  • Joyful Learning — We believe children learn best through play, discovery, and wonder.

  • Family Partnership — Families are essential collaborators in each child’s growth, bringing meaning and connection to our community.

  • Community — We create a warm, supportive environment that strengthens bonds between children, families, and our community.

  • Whole-Child Development — We nurture social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth to help every child thrive.

  • Safety & Trust — We prioritize a secure, caring environment where children feel safe, valued, and free to explore.

Program Highlights

  • Nursery (Ages 2–3) — Gentle introduction to school with a focus on play, exploration, and socialization.

  • Preschool (Ages 3–4) — Building curiosity and confidence through engaging, play-based learning.

  • Pre-K (Ages 4–5) — Preparing children for kindergarten with strong social, emotional, and early academic foundations.

  • Young Kindergarten — A unique bridge program for children with late birthdays or those who benefit from an extra year before kindergarten.

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Why Families Choose Us

  • Lifelong Love of Learning — Play-based, discovery-focused approach.

  • Family Partnership — Parents, grandparents, and caregivers welcomed and valued.

  • Safe, Nurturing Environment — Warm, secure, joyful spaces for learning and growth.

  • Whole-Child Readiness — Social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development.

  • Deep Community Roots — Trusted by families since 1952.

Our Facilities

Pittsford Nursery School is located in the heart of Pittsford Village. Our prime location lets us enjoy class walks and plenty of outdoor exploration.

Each class has a dedicated classroom with space for circle time and large group learning, easels for art, tables and chairs for centers and an area to share a snack, a section with books, and toys for free play. Large classrooms let us optimize learning time as we minimize transitions between activities.

Going outside is an important part of our routine and our students play almost daily on our modern, fenced in playground with a sandbox and grassy area. When the weather is not ideal the indoor activity room is a highlight as it contains a climbing gym, slides, seesaws, a variety of vehicles, a train table, basketball hoop, and more for large motor play with friends.

FAQ

  • Our 2s, 3s, and 3s & 4s Blended Classes are cooperative. We believe a cooperative preschool is one that involves both school and families as active participants in their children's learning.  Our teachers and families come together to inspire development in a warm environment. This means that parents are involved as assistants in the classroom and as volunteers for other school activities. Buyout options are always available. We also welcome grandparents and other family caregivers to assist in the classroom. Our 4s Class & YK Class (both 5 days per week) are not cooperative and do not require family helper days.

  • If your child is a student in one of our cooperative classes, you will also be assigned one committee responsibility. A full list of committee options is available by connecting with Kathy Woodruff, Director.

  • Our goal is for each child in the 3s and 4s classes to be potty trained, however we realize that children develop at different rates. Our teachers may offer tips and suggestions to help you through this journey. :)

  • Yes, all immunizations required by New York State law must be current. A health form listing required immunizations is provided, must be completed, and returned to the Director by the first day of school or the child shall not be admitted to class.

  • Children must remain at home if they have a fever, are vomiting or have diarrhea, or if they are acting listless or not him/herself. Students may return 24 hours after these symptoms have ceased without the use of medication including over the counter remedies.

    If a doctor has determined that persistent symptoms are caused by an allergy or sensitivity, rather than a contagious illness, the child may return to school with a note from the doctor.

  • "The teachers genuinely care about the well-being of each student"

    "Our family has truly enjoyed our involvement with Pittsford Nursery School. The cooperative experience has allowed us to assume an active role in the early education of all of our children, while introducing us to families who share similar values and child rearing styles. The teachers genuinely care about the well-being of each student. By placing an emphasis on learning through play, they encouraged both the social and intellectual development of my children. We would enthusiastically recommend the school to anyone interested in such an experience."
    -Lutz Family

  • "We are so glad we found Pittsford Nursery School"

    "The 4+ class is absolutely wonderful! We could not be happier with the teacher, aide, curriculum and school as a whole. We are so glad we found this option for our son."

  • "Our child has developmental delays and the staff has been so helpful"

    Fantastic preschool program! Always willing to work with us on our concerns. Our child has developmental delays and the staff has been so helpful. Finding a preschool that allowed us to bring our child's therapists into the classroom was important to us and Pittsford Nursery School embraces that concept completely.

  • "My son was comfortable with the surroundings and familiar with the kids"

    "My son loved the Curious Minds program at Pittsford Nursery School.  He was so excited to have lunch with his friends, and the hands on activities were fabulous.  All of the themes were age appropriate and educational!  It was great that he could just stay after school, so he was comfortable with the surroundings and familiar with the kids."
    -Sorenson Family

  • "Pittsford Nursery School has been such a special place for our family"

    Thank so much for the incredible warmth and patience our children have received. Pittsford Nursery School has been such a special place for our family. Our son has truly enjoyed the atmosphere, the friendships he has developed, the playful learning experiences, and most of all...the teachers. We look forward to several more years at this wonderful school!
    -Kremer Family

  • "Curious Minds after-school program was terrific!"

    Curious Minds was a fantastic add-on for my daughter! She loved staying later at school, bringing her lunch, and lots of hands-on (and sometimes messy!) learning in a small group. And the topics explored were diverse and stimulating: worms, gravity, sinking and floating, liquids and solids, baking, etc. The teachers also sent home wonderful summaries of what was done in the classes so that we could continue exploring at home. It was terrific!
    -Ying Family

A Community
Fixture Since 1952

Pittsford Nursery School was first organized in 1952 when a group of mothers with young children met regularly and eventually developed a cooperative preschool.  Headed by Betty Wright, the school hired their first teacher, Rosemary Harley, in 1953. For more than sixty years Pittsford Nursery School has embraced the idea of a cooperative educational experience. Our teachers and families have been coming together ever since to provide a warm, secure and engaging setting for children to experience school and ignite a love of learning!