Programs
Programs at FHNS
Forest Hill Nursery School (FHNS) offers unique programs for early childhood education. The classroom routine is centered on the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of each child.
As a co-op, FHNS parents work directly in the classroom, and therefore, have the opportunity to aid in the learning process. By helping in the classroom, parents can more easily reinforce the lessons learned and help their children be prepared for the challenges of full-day kindergarten and beyond.
Program Goals:
The specific goals of our programs include:
Meet the individual physical and emotional needs of each child.
Develop a good self-image in each child.
Help the children gain an understanding of their social world.
Build strong, healthy bodies, and achieve adequate gross motor development.
Our Programs:
Discovery Program for Two Year Olds and Young Threes
FHNS’s Discovery Program is designed to help ease the transition for two year olds (and their parents!) before embarking on a three year old preschool program. This 90 minute class meets once per week on Thursdays. Children and parents will have the opportunity to discover learning through moderately structured activities, participate in “free discovery,” interact with new friends, and make lasting memories of early learning through play. Please note: Discovery sessions need at least five students to operate.
Available Discovery Sessions:
Thursdays 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Discovery Tuition Payment Options (2024-2025):
One-time payment: Check & Venmo $750 | Credit Card $785 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check & Venmo $90/month | Credit Card $95/month (includes transaction fees)
One-time payments and the first monthly payments are due by July 15th.
NEW: Bridge Program for Older Two Year Olds and Young Threes
FHNS’s new Bridge program is designed to provide a more independent learning experience for older two year old's and younger three year old's who do not meet the age requirements for the FHNS three year old preschool program. This two hour class meets on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30am.
Students will have the opportunity to learn through structured activities such as circle time, stories, singing and dancing. as well as developmentally appropriate learning centers. They will also have ample time for free play and interacting with new friends.
Students' birthdays must fall between September 2nd and December 31st to qualify for this class.
Students must be fully toilet-trained to qualify for this class.
Class sizes will be kept small so that each student can have ample time to work with the teacher and interact with students of a similar age. Please note: There is a minimum of 3 students needed per session with a maximum of 5 students.
Parents will be part of the Forest Hill Nursery School cooperative learning experience and be scheduled on a rotating schedule to work in the classroom 1-2 times per month. This will allow all students and parents the opportunity to enjoy this early learning experience together.
Available Bridge Sessions:
Wednesdays 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Bridge Tuition Payment Options (2024-2025):
One-time payment: Check & Venmo $910 | Credit Card $935 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check & Venmo $100/month | Credit Card $105/month (includes transaction fees)
One-time payments and the first monthly payments are due by July 15th.
2-Day Program for Three Year Olds and young fours
The 2-day program for three year olds meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with families choosing between a morning and afternoon session. Each class is composed of 8 children who are three years old by September 1 of the year they enter preschool. Each session has 1 teacher and 1 - 2 helpers/parents present.
PARTIAL Co-Op Options Available
Are you interested in joining the FHNS family, but are unable to volunteer in the classroom? We now offer a Partial Co-Op option for our 2 & 3-day classes. Families will pay a slightly higher tuition rate, but volunteering as a classroom helper will not be required. Families choosing this option will still be required to join a FHNS committee. Any families that would like to have the full co-op in-classroom experience are welcome to apply under the Full Co-Op tuition pricing. Please note: Partial Co-Op spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first served basis.
Available 2-Day Sessions:
AM: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9 - 11:30 a.m.
PM: Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:30 - 3 p.m.
2-Day FULL Co-Op Tuition Payment Options (2024-2025):
One-time payment: Check or Venmo $1,605 | Credit Card $1,675 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check or Venmo $175/month | Credit Card $185/month (includes transaction fees)
One-time payments and the first monthly payments are due by July 15th.
2-Day PARTIAL Co-Op (Parent unable to volunteer) Tuition Payment Options (2024-2025):
One-time payment: Check or Venmo $2,190 | Credit Card $2,285 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check or Venmo $250/month | Credit Card $260/month (includes transaction fees)
One-time payments and the first monthly payments are due by July 15th.
NEW: Explorer Program for Three Year Olds and young fours
Our three-year-old students who are already enrolled in our traditional Tuesday/Thursday program may add an additional day of the week to their preschool learning experience through FHNS’s new Explorer program. This opportunity will allow the students to come to school three consecutive days each week and is designed to enhance their preschool experience. The Explorer class will be held on Wednesday afternoons from 12:30-3:00pm and is open to 8 students total from both the AM and PM classes, on a first-come, first served basis. Please note: Partial Co-Op space is limited and available on a first-come, first served basis.
The Explorer Class provides students with additional opportunities to learn through circle time, structured small group activities and developmentally appropriate learning centers. They will also have ample time for free play and socializing with friends from the AM and PM classes.
Available Explorer Sessions:
Wednesdays 12:30 - 3 p .m.
Explorer FULL Co-Op Tuition Payment Options (2024-2025):
One-time payment: Check & Venmo $555 | Credit Card $580 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check & Venmo $65/month | Credit Card $70/month (includes transaction fees)
Explorer PARTIAL Co-Op (Parent unable to volunteer) Tuition Payment Options (2024-2025):
One-time payment: Check or Venmo $620 | Credit Card $650 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check or Venmo $75/month | Credit Card $80/month (includes transaction fees)
One-time payments and the first monthly payments are due by July 15th.
3-Day Program for Four Year Olds and young fives
The 3-day program for four and five year olds meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with families choosing between a morning and afternoon session. Each class is composed of 8 children who are four years old by September 1 of the year they enter preschool. Each session has 1 teacher and 1 helper/parent present.
PARTIAL Co-Op Options Available
Are you interested in joining the FHNS family, but are unable to volunteer in the classroom? We now offer a Partial Co-Op option for our 2 & 3-day classes. Families will pay a slightly higher tuition rate, but volunteering as a classroom helper will not be required. Families choosing this option will still be required to join a FHNS committee. Any families that would like to have the full co-op in-classroom experience are welcome to apply under the Full Co-Op tuition pricing. Please note: Partial Co-Op spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first served basis.
Available 3-Day Sessions:
AM: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9 - 11:30 a.m.
PM: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 12:30 - 3 p.m.
3-Day FULL Co-Op Tuition Payment Options (2024-2025):
One-time payment: Check or Venmo $2,215 | Credit Card $2,320 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check or Venmo $245/month | Credit Card $255/month (includes transaction fees)
One-time payments and the first monthly payments are due by July 15th.
3-Day PARTIAL Co-Op (Parent unable to volunteer) Tuition Payment Options (2024-2025):
One-time payment: Check or Venmo $2,905 | Credit Card $3,030 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check or Venmo $325/month | Credit Card $335/month (includes transaction fees)
One-time payments and the first monthly payments are due by July 15th.
4- and 5-Day Programs for 4 YeaR Olds and Young Fives
Our four- and five-year-old students are able to add one or two enrichment classes their schedule to have the opportunity to come to school for four or five days a week. In addition to the regular class schedule on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, PALS is held on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and STEAM is held on Thursdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. PALS and STEAM are open to 8 students total from either the AM or PM 3-day sessions. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. The classes will be composed of children who are four years old by September 1 of the year they enter preschool. Each session has 1 teacher and 1 helper/parent present. Please see below for more information about PALS & STEAM.
PALS (Play, Art, Literacy, Socialization)
PALS classes are held weekly on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. The PALS class allows students to socialize, work on literacy-based activities and have additional time to play and learn in small groups. Each class is based upon a fairy tale. The classes work on story development and retelling by acting, using puppets, and story props. The classes compare and contrast various versions of each story read. As the PALS class is held on an additional school day, the students in both the AM and PM class have the opportunity to play and learn together.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics)
STEAM classes are held weekly on Thursdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Opportunities for STEAM activities are explored by the inspiration of children's literature. As the STEAM class is held on an additional school day, the students in both the AM and PM class have the opportunity to play and learn together. STEAM opportunities at FHNS include working with gears, exploring habitats, robots, basic coding, and engineering activities.
Available 4- and 5-Day sessions:
4-Day Program with PALS: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays
Must select either the AM or PM 3-Day class
PALS is on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
4-Day Program with STEAM: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
Must select either the AM or PM 3-Day class
STEAM is on Thursdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
5-Day Program with PALS & STEAM: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
Must select either the AM or PM 3-Day class
PALS is on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
STEAM is on Thursdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Pals & SteAM FULL Co-Op Tuition Payment Options (2024-2025):
PALS or STEAM
One-time payment: Check or Venmo $555 | Credit Card $580 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check or Venmo $65/month | Credit Card $70/month (includes transaction fees)
PALS and STEAM
One-time payment: Check or Venmo $1,110 | Credit Card $1,160 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check or Venmo $125/month | Credit Card $135/month (includes transaction fees)
Pals & SteAM PARTIAL Co-Op (Parent unable to volunteer) Tuition Payment Options (2024-2025):
PALS or STEAM
One-time payment: Check or Venmo $620 | Credit Card $650 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check or Venmo $75/month | Credit Card $80/month (includes transaction fees)
PALS and STEAM
One-time payment: Check or Venmo $1200 | Credit Card $1255 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check or Venmo $138.25/month | Credit Card $148.25/month (includes transaction fees)
One-time payments and the first monthly payments are due by July 15th.
NEW: Partners Program for K-3 HomeschoolERS
FHNS will be offering a new homeschool partnership for the early childhood student! Through the Partners program, committed homeschooling families can have the weekly guidance of an Early Childhood/Elementary teacher to aid in their journey during the early years of learning. This class will take place on Tuesday mornings, and is designed for children in kindergarten through third grade to gain one-on-one and small group learning experiences in the subjects of reading, writing, and math. The teacher and parent(s) will meet a minimum of 5 times per year to discuss progress and planning for each child. Individual student need, interest and abilities will be taken into account with planning. Please note: Spaces in Partners are limited to 6 students maximum.
Available PARTNERS Sessions:
Tuesdays 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
PARTNERS Tuition Payment Options (2024-2025):
One-time payment: Check & Venmo $905 | Credit Card $935 (includes transaction fees)
Monthly payments (9 payments): Check & Venmo $100/month | Credit Card $105/month (includes transaction fees)
One-time payments and the first monthly payments are due by July 15th.
ADDITIONAL FEES (2024-2025):
Application Fee (new members) - $35
Contract Deposit (Includes Registration & Materials Fees)
Bridge - $85
2-Day - $125
3-day - $170
Partners - $100
Materials Fee
Discovery - $45
Explorers - $40
PALS - $40
STEAM - $40
FHNS follows the September 1st birthday cut-off date of the Harford County Public School System.
Questions & More Information
For questions or more information, please email our membership chair at FHNSmembership@gmail.com.
