The Nursery School's philosophy is known as "developmental interaction." "Developmental" refers to the principle that children learn best when they are ready for new experiences and when these experiences build on earlier ones. The particular experiences are determined by a child's interests and abilities. "Interaction" means learning through participation in a socially and physically responsive environment. The interactive classroom invites exploration, decision-making, problem-solving, and engagement with peers, teachers, and materials. A program of integrated activities is planned to meet the developmental needs of each age group. The program reflects our understanding of the importance of basic skills and information, as well as respect for the imagination and expressive abilities of each child and the talents of our knowledgeable and creative teachers. Because young children learn through play, the core of their school day is the activity/work time when they engage in dramatic play, block building, art, books, manipulative toys, water or salt table play. There are also periodic group activities such as cooking, planting, caring for classroom pets. All classes have time for active play on the roof playground, as well as several group times for story, snack, music, movement, and discussion. Specialists for music, movement, and woodworking meet with the children once a week. Our mental health consultant also visits the school weekly. The program for young 2-year-olds meets two mornings a week; two classes for older 2's meet three mornings or three afternoons a week. The 3's, 4's, and young 5's attend five mornings, with the option of a longer day until 2:15 Monday-Thursday, 1:15 Friday, for the two oldest groups. There is also a 4-afternoon program for older 3's.