Since its founding in 1968 from the inspiration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of racial peace, the school has provided the opportunity for children of different backgrounds to play and learn together.  Changing family needs have prompted expanded scheduling. The diversity of programs make the school attractive to an eclectic group of families.

Saugatuck Nursery School provides a comfortable, relaxed environment where children experience carefully designed, enriching activities.  They are lovingly guided and taught by seasoned professionals, whose passion is educating young children.  

Forty-eight students, ages 2-5 attend various facets of the morning, before and after school programs. Summer Camp is held for seven weeks.

SNS has a long-standing reputation of lovingly providing for each child’s needs and gifts. Each program encourages the children to develop life skills, including language, reasoning ability, problem solving, and conflict resolution.

Lessons are designed to stimulate critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity. Open-ended questions encourage problem-solving and safe risk taking. The development of imagination and creativity is more important than the “right” answer.

Art is for the experience, not the product. Children are encouraged to enjoy the texture, color, and experimentation. Building is mainly for the experience, not the structure. The act of cooperative building is more valuable than the finished project.

A typical day’s activities are adapted to the developmental level of each child.  Realistic individual goals challenge our students to achieve his or her highest potential while increasing self-awareness, independence and a positive self-image.  Activities include music, science, dramatics, imaginative play, art, problem-solving, storytelling, predicting, cooking, block building, outdoor play. Monthly enrichment programs include Yoga, Music and Spanish.

The goal of our play-based approach is to offer a curriculum rich in experiences that foster problem solving, development of skills and Kindergarten preparedness.  

The school is guided by a Board of Directors comprised of parent representatives, alumni and interested professionals from the community. 

Saugatuck Nursery School is a non-profit, interfaith, multi-cultural school licensed under the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood.

Learn More About Our Programs

OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Executive Director

Miss Angela was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut.  She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Relations with a focus on Early Childhood Education.  She continued on to receive her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Sacred Heart University and taught in the Stamford and Greenwich Public School System for a short period of time.  After getting married in 2005, she moved to San Diego, where her husband was stationed in the Navy, and began her teaching career in the Preschool setting.  After moving back to Connecticut in 2010, and having two of her children successfully go through the program at Saugatuck Nursery School, she decided to join the team of professional, loving and caring teachers in 2015.  She currently lives in Norwalk with her husband and four children. 

Administrative Assistant

Miss Lauren joined SNS when her son began attending in 2015. She moved to Westport after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from Siena College in Marketing/Management and working in advertising for 10 years in New York City. She wears and has worn many hats; previously assisting in the two’s program, being an active member of the planning & fundraising committees, an Officer on the Board of Directors, and currently Administrative Assistant. She lives in Westport with her husband and two children.

Blue Room Twos

Miss Mandi has worked in early childhood education for over ten years, and considers it her passion. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Science with a concentration in Child Psychology from Concordia College in 2010. She is currently teaching the 2’s, but also excited to be teaching various cultures to the 4’s during our after school enrichment programs. She is a mother of four, and resides in Trumbull with her children and two dogs. When not teaching, she enjoys traveling, hiking, relaxing at the beach, and spending time with her family.

Miss Christine is a Westchester County transplant that moved to Connecticut some time after graduating college in upstate New York. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Biology, and an extensive background working with children in Outdoor Education. She has been working as a preschool teacher in Westport for the past six years in a 3’s and 4’s program, and is overjoyed at joining the team at SNS in the fall of 2023. She is the currently the co-lead teacher for the 2’s program. In her free time she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending quality time with her husband and their two dogs.

Miss Victoria was born and raised in the UK. After graduating from University with a Bachelor's degree in Dance & Theatre, she lived and worked in London before relocating to the US where she worked in the Pharmaceutical industry in NYC. She moved to Westport with her husband in 2013 and all 3 of their children attended SNS. During her time as a parent here, she played an active role on the fundraising committee, was a member of the Board of Director's and also became a substitute teacher.

Miss Shannon was a former student of both the Red Room and the Purple Room. She graduated from High School in 2021. She actively participated in prerequisite classes in Early Childhood Education while attending High School. She is enrolled in a local college with a focus in the Education field.

Red Room Threes

Miss Lisa joined Saugatuck Nursery School in 2006. She began as a substitute when her children were in attendance and she never left! She began teaching in the Red Room in 2012 and also supervises the extended day program. Lisa has lived in Westport since 1994. In her free time she enjoys outdoor activities with her family and dogs. Hiking is one of her favorites.

Miss Claire was born and raised in England. She represented her country playing tennis for many years and graduated from Newcastle University with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and physical education. After working in London for a few years in sales and marketing and the birth of her first child, she moved to Westport, CT in 2004 with her husband’s job. She joined Saugatuck Nursery School in 2017, has worked in all three classes but is currently our Red Room assistant teacher. She lives in Westport with her husband Robert and their four children, a son at NYU, a daughter at Colby, and two daughters at Staples High School.

Miss Lauri was born and raised in the Midwest and graduated from the University of Kansas with a psychology degree and then later went back to earn a degree in Education. She has been teaching young children for over 20 years, working at local private and public preschools, while tutoring as well. She moved to Norwalk in 2001 and is married and has three teenage children. She loves getting to know the children, while providing a fun and nurturing environment for them to thrive.

Purple Room Fours

Miss Meredith has been an integral part of our school since 1996. She attended Sacred Heart University and Norwalk Community College where she earned her associates degree in Early Childhood Education. She also holds a head teacher certificate from the State of Connecticut. Miss Meredith is married and resides in Stratford, Connecticut with her husband and daughter; who successfully went through all programs at SNS. She strives to provide her students with a loving, nurturing, yet challenging environment in which to learn and grow.

Miss Ciara was born in Stamford, CT and raised in Norwalk, CT. She attended Eastern Connecticut State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in English. She continued her schooling and received her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education & English from Manhattanville College. Ciara spent her time teaching Science at Side By Side Charter School in Norwalk, CT and the Fives program at Earthplace Preschool in Westport, CT, before joining SNS. She currently resides in Norwalk with her daughter.