📣 Enrollment for 2025-2026 is now open! 📣

Canton Community
Nursery School

A community-focused preschool in Canton, CT

Start your child on a lifelong path to learning...

Click on Programs to learn more about the school, and reach out at ccnsinfo@gmail.com with any questions or to schedule a tour. We look forward to meeting you!

Programs

Enrollment

Testimonials

ABOUT US

We are looking forward to celebrating 55 years educating young children and working with their families!

Canton Community Nursery School (CCNS) is a non-profit organization that was chartered in 1969 by a group of enthusiastic Canton residents to provide a quality preschool program for children ages three and four. We continue to thrive today with support from the wonderful families and friends of our students.

At Canton Community Nursery School, we actively encourage parental involvement. It makes our program strong and allows you to be directly involved in your child's early learning experiences. The success of our program is due to cooperation between home and school. Together we can provide a fun, loving, nurturing program that will prepare your child for their role as a lifelong learner.

The school is governed by a Board of Directors and is staffed with qualified professionals. The Board of Directors, which handles the business and administrative duties of the school, consists of the director, the staff, and parent volunteers.

We welcome students from all area towns. Our alumni are from Avon, Barkhamsted, Burlington, Canton, East Hartland, Granby, New Hartford, Simsbury, and Winsted. We celebrate diversity and provide an atmosphere where cooperation, sharing, and sensitivity flourish.

For further information on our school, please call our director, Kristen Apruzzese, at (860) 693-6146 or email ccnsinfo@gmail.com. We look forward to answering all of your questions and having you visit our school.

Thank you!

PHILOSOPHY

Our primary goals are to encourage the growth of independence in each child and to help build a strong self-image. By giving children the opportunity to make social contacts within a small group, we establish the foundation for sharing, cooperation and initiative. Above all, we strive to achieve an atmosphere where each child finds school an inviting place to learn with warm and caring teachers to guide and parents who care.

Goals

Canton Community Nursery School's goals are to:

Help prepare your child for their role as a "life-long learner."
Provide a developmentally appropriate program in a caring setting where children feel free to explore a variety of activities, leading to new and exciting discoveries.
Encourage independence, by setting up our learning environment in such a way that allows students to have access to materials, and activities for sensory experiences and exploration. It also allows students to have greater control over making choices and deciding how to spend their time.
Encourage students to use their imaginations, and follow their natural curiosity to develop problem-solving skills.
Provide an atmosphere where all individuals, regardless of gender, ability, ethnic, racial background or religion, feel comfortable and welcome.
Provide support and reassurance so that students are willing to "take risks", building self-esteem.
Be sensitive to each student's feelings, while helping them develop an undersanding of how others feel, building tolerance, sympathy, and acceptance.
Encourage students to use words to express emotions and feelings.
Help children learn how to function as part of a group, cooperating with peers and adults other than his/her parents.
Help children learn to transition from one activity to another.

Cooperative education

Our programs are more successful because of you, the families and friends of our students. Your time, talents, and enthusiasm help make our school a happy and rewarding experience for your child.

Here's what that means for us (these are all optional activities):

Signing up as a parent helper to assist in the classroom (optional). When it is your day to assist in the classroom, your child gets to have their "special day," on which they get to do certain special activities such as being line leader, helping serve the snack, and helping with the weather report. Your child will really look forward to having their special days, both to introduce you to their friends, and also to show you their classroom.
Attending board meetings (optional). The school is governed by a Board of Directors, which handles the business and administrative duties of the school, and is made up of the director, the staff, and parent volunteers. All currently enrolled families are invited to attend the monthly board meeting. These meetings are important vehicles for setting school policies, planning special school activities and events, and communicating about the current classroom climate.
Supporting enrichment activities (optional). We'll ask you to offer your special talents for enrichment activities in the classroom and help support us in our fundraising efforts. There are also volunteer positions available to be class parent (helping organize field trips), fundraising lead, and Scholastic Book Club liaison.

What are the benefits of a cooperative preschool experience?

For your child:

The shared experience of parent and child participating in school activities
Supportive and interractive relationships with adults other than their own family and teachers
A safe and nurturing environment designed and equipped for young children that encourages curiosity and creativity

For you:

Time to observe your child interacting with a consistent group of peers
The opportunity to meet, socialize, and cooperate with a diverse group of parents from your community
Heightened awareness of your child's development and needs which leads to a stronger family and closer relationship with your child
A support network of other families in similar situations
An increased sense of community
Close relationship with your child's teachers
A voice in school decisions and policy making

FACULTY

Kristen Apruzzese - Director/Head Teacher

Kristen Apruzzese is the Director and Head Teacher at CCNS. Her career spans years as a Teacher and Assistant Director at Giant Steps Daycare in Pine Meadow, where she led teacher training and oversaw curriculum design and implementation. More recently, she acted as Program Coordinator at CT Junior Republic and Director of Moppets Child Care Center in West Hartford. She holds an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood education, a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, head teacher certificate, and over 15 years of experience working with children ages 8 weeks to 18 years old. She lives in New Hartford with her husband Jason, two beautiful boys ages 7 and 5, and two dogs.

Emma Conroy - Assistant Teacher

Emma Conroy is studying Early Childhood Education at Tunxis Community College. She has five years of experience working with young children, including volunteering at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Her most recent experience was at Auerfarm in Bloomfield, where she served as an Assistant Teacher (in partnership with Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School).

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