Grosse Pointe Woods

Local nursery school popular with parents

By April Lehmbeck
C & G Staff Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo provided by Grosse Pointe Nursery School A student at Grosse Pointe Nursery School practices writing his name on the board. The school is so popular with local parents that some of them have pushed for it to add a kindergarten program. Photo provided by Grosse Pointe Nursery School A student at Grosse Pointe Nursery School practices writing his name on the board. The school is so popular with local parents that some of them have pushed for it to add a kindergarten program.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — With so many great schools in the Grosse Pointe area, some people feel that the Grosse Pointe Nursery School is a “hidden gem,” and some parents recently pleaded with the school to offer a kindergarten program.

They wanted their children to be able to stay there one more year.

It wasn’t meant to be, however, despite a lot of interest at an informational meeting earlier this year. There weren’t enough parents who could afford to pay tuition for the extra year due to a tough economy, said the program’s director, Kelly Garrett.

“My wife and I were heartbroken to learn that the kindergarten program was not going to be revived this year,” said parent Tom Nixon in an email. “There are myriad reasons for our disappointment, both general and specific.

“Suffice it to say, we were quite willing to come out of pocket to keep our daughter’s education with Grosse Pointe Nursery School, even though we can enlist in public kindergarten elsewhere at no cost,” he said.

Garrett said there was interest in the kindergarten program, which was exciting for the school. Parents have confidence that the school is preparing children for their future educational needs.

“The passion at that meeting … there was a parent who was brought to tears,” Garrett said of the parents who came to the meeting regarding a potential kindergarten program. “She’s still excited that her son was well prepared.

“It’s amazing how many parents say to us, not knowing others have said it, that we’re the best-kept secret,” Garrett said.

Garrett, however, said she doesn’t want it to be a hidden gem, but wants to spread the word about the program.

The school teaches the children to take pride in their work and do their best.

“They’re very well-prepared,” Garrett said. “They’re well-rounded children. We focus highly on learning behaviors.”

It’s not a daycare, but a learning environment, one that has been part of the Grosse Pointe community for more than 65 years, she said.

“It started in a little white house on Vernier,” Garrett said.

The program allows teachers to work individually with each child. Once parents see how their child is prepared for elementary school, “they’re even more excited for the second child,” Garrett said.

The program has self-contained classrooms and a large playground area, because outdoor play is essential for young children, officials say.

Music and movement is important, as well, and are part of the curriculum.

Walking to nearby businesses for educational field trips is also part of the school’s mission.

“Lou’s Pet Shop, we probably should give them part of our tuition,” Garrett joked.

“It’s a tight-knit community,” Garrett said. “Once you’re part of it, there’s an ambiance of community.”

Nixon is one of those parents who calls the school one of the community’s best-kept secrets.

He said he sees the caring that the staff has for the children and their education.

“The teachers and administration seem as emotionally invested in our children’s upbringing as we are as parents,” he said.

“The emotional, educational and formative impact that Grosse Pointe Nursery School has made on the lives of our children has been tremendously impactful and will always be cherished by my wife and me,” Nixon added. “In fact, if the school was able to offer K through eight education, we’d sign up tomorrow.”

You can reach C & G Staff Writer April Lehmbeck at alehmbeck@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1043.