Contacting Shore Nursery School

We can be contacted at Shore Nursery School by phone or e-mail. Our phone number is 978-526-1193 and our eMail address is shorenursery@verizon.net.

Elaine Nichols will be available to assist you and if you are unable to contact her directly, please leave a message. She will contact you as promptly as possible.

Summer Fun

History of Shore Nursery School

Shore Nursery School is a private, integrated preschool, in Manchester MA, business owned and directed by Elaine Nichols. The School was founded in 1953 by her mother, Marcia McDiarmid, and Grandmother, Vera Tenney, and was operated from their home at 36 Bridge St. until 1960. In 1960, the School expanded to its own harbor view building with 2400 sq. ft. of contained, grassy areas for outdoor play, overlooking Tenney Creek (Mill Pond). In 1972, Elaine joined the staff as Lead Teacher, in 1990 became director, and after her mother's passing in March '02, owner.

At this time there are five Department of Early Education and Care certified staff, including a daughter, niece and alumna, music teacher, and one educational consultant, with wide ranges of educational backgrounds.

The School is licensed to serve up to thirty children daily, ages 2.9 to 7 years. However, a lower staff/child ratio is preferred, as is a 6 year old maximum age limit.

Shore Nursery School is licensed by the MA Dept. of Early Education and Care (Formerly the Massachusetts Office for Child Care Services).

Intake Procedures

Applications are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. If you wish to enroll your child, please complete and return your application. We encourage all families to visit the School prior to enrollment, by appointment. Admissions are also rolling. At your interview you will receive all additional information and forms necessary for your child's enrollment.
School Nursery School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, cultural heritage, national origin, sex, political beliefs, marital status, orientation, or disability in the enrollment process, education and administration. The School is dedicated to the concept of main streaming children with challenges, and makes every effort to modify their program to meet these need. If this is not possible, we work with families to find another placement.

Summer Fun Begins

Summer Fun has begun. On Monday, June 23, 2008, Shore Nursery School located at 38 Bridge Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, began its summer program. Summer Fun is a developmentally appropriate summer enrichment program for children ages 2.9-6 years old. Summer Fun is organized into weekly or bi-weekly, exciting and interesting thematic units incorporating D.O.E. standards for curriculum, and the outdoors! Our themes are Nature/Science oriented and have included such topics as bugs, ocean life, space, the jungle, the desert, and prehistoric life. It is also a time when children will receive support in any areas not yet age appropriate in a "fun" environment, and time when children can "jump start" their school experience. We are open and available for your child or children from 8:30 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. or until 1:00 P.M. depending on your summer needs. These hours are available Monday through Friday and there is space available. The Summer Fun Program runs from June 23, 2008 to August 15, 2008. To register your child, please contact Elaine Nichols at 978-526-1193. We hope you have a lovely summer and look forward to seeing you at Summer Fun.

Our Mission Statement

Implicit in the School's mission are three objectives. The first is to provide a developmentally appropriate and nurturing environment where children from all backgrounds and cultures have the opportunity to explore, imagine, learn, make friends, express individuality, question, make choices, problem solve, learn respect, and have a happy, safe, and secure first school experience that will foster self-esteem and self-confidence. Also implicit are the staff's respect for the uniqueness of each child, and their commitment to the introduction of the fine arts to each child.

The second objective in our mission is the flexibility to meet the changing needs of our families and their schedules. Shore Nursery School is a community resource where families may come to ask questions, resolve issues and receive support in crises.
The third objective in our mission is the mutual respect for the diversity of teaching styles and communication techniques in the classroom. What each staff member brings to the classroom enriches the program, and team teaching is the core. There is ongoing opportunity for continuous evaluation and improvement for both staff and curriculum.

Our Philosophy

The philosophy of our school is to provide high quality programs that include a balance of free play and developmentally appropriate planned activities. We offer a program in which the staff, in cooperation with the parents, works to ensure a safe, happy, and stimulating environment-an environment in which children can thrive.

Shore Nursery School provides books, materials, music, activities, and toys that enhance the children's experiences and reflect the diversity of the world as well as of the children themselves. Parents may leave their children confident that individual differences are respected, and that discrimination on the basis of cultural heritage, race, religion, political beliefs, or life orientation will not be tolerated.