Brandon Nursery School

Welcome!

Located in the heart of Brandon, Manitoba, BNS is a non-profit nursery school operated by a parent-run board of directors, and has been in operation for over 36 years! With highly-trained educators, a warm, caring atmosphere, a large, sunny classroom and a gymnasium for the children's use, we know your child will love it!

BNS offers a professionally designed curriculum, complete with lesson plans, assessments, and newsletters for parents to use as a guide, and has one of Brandon's lowest child-to-staff ratios. Government regulations state that we are required to have a minimum of one teacher per ten children, but we have a ratio of one teacher to only 7.5 children! (Two teachers for every class of fifteen) which means that there is more opportunity for the teachers to interact with your child, ensuring more nurturing, guidance and teachable moments.

About Us

Meet Our Teachers!

We know that learning is easier when you have an excellent teacher.

Melissa May, Director

Our Nursery School director, Melissa May, B.A. (Psychology), ECE 3, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her position. Her commitment to Brandon Nursery School and her love for all the kids in our program is evident in everything she does.

Nola Schellenberg

Teacher Nola Schellenberg, ECE 3, began working with Brandon Nursery School in 2008. Before that , she owned and operated her own private daycare. Nola's thoughtfulness and gentleness puts even the most hesitant child at ease.

Board of Directors

We are always looking for great people to join our board of directors. If YOU would like to be a part of this amazing parent-run institution, please contact Melissa May, Rogan McLean, or any of the board members listed on our contact page. Board members need not have children enrolled at the school; Grandmas, Grandpas, aunts and uncles and those with a genuine interest in the health and longevity of Brandon Nursery School are encouraged to contact us about lending a helping hand.

Daily Schedule

1. Arrival Time - AM 9:00/ PM 1:00

3. Clean- up, Circle time, Show & Tell - AM 10:10 - 10:15 / PM 2:10 - 2:15

2. Free play & Art - AM 9:00 - 10:10 / PM 1:00 - 2:10

Children place jackets and backpacks in locker of their choice, put on indoor shoes on and wait on the carpeted room until the teacher opens the door to the nursery school room.

2. Free play & Art - AM 9:00 - 10:10 / PM 1:00 - 2:10

3. Clean- up, Circle time, Show & Tell - AM 10:10 - 10:15 / PM 2:10 - 2:15

2. Free play & Art - AM 9:00 - 10:10 / PM 1:00 - 2:10

Children enter the nursery school room and are free to participate in the art activity in place or play in numerous learning centers throughout the classroom. Each center is designed for certain play activities and promotes different areas of development

3. Clean- up, Circle time, Show & Tell - AM 10:10 - 10:15 / PM 2:10 - 2:15

Clean up time. Children will help put away the toys from all the learning centres. The children will then get their lunch bags from their lockers and place them on the snack tables.

4. Group Time / Show & Tell - AM 10:15 - 10:30 / PM 2:15 - 2:30

3. Clean- up, Circle time, Show & Tell - AM 10:10 - 10:15 / PM 2:10 - 2:15

The children meet in the library area where children greet our friends. They will learn about weekly themes through songs, literature, music activities and experiments. One child will be designated star of the day and can bring a show and tell item to talk about with his/her friends.

5. Snack Time - AM 10:30 - 10:50 / PM 2:30 - 2:50

4. Group Time / Show & Tell - AM 10:15 - 10:30 / PM 2:15 - 2:30

5. Snack Time - AM 10:30 - 10:50 / PM 2:30 - 2:50

The children will take turns washing their hands before they sit down for snack. They will sit down at the tables with their teachers and enjoy a nutritious snack. The children wash their hands when they are done snack and sit down with teachers and read books until everyone is ready to go to the gym.

6. Gym Time - AM 10:50 - 11:20 / PM 2:50 - 3:20

4. Group Time / Show & Tell - AM 10:15 - 10:30 / PM 2:15 - 2:30

5. Snack Time - AM 10:30 - 10:50 / PM 2:30 - 2:50

Children have lots of energy and need time to run, skip, jump, climb and play active games! We will spend each day developing these gross motor skills through various activities and gym games.

7. Home Time - AM 11:20 - 11:30 / PM 3:20 - 3:30

Teachers will prepare students with their belongings and bring them to 17th street doors to meet their parent/guardian.

* Please note:

7. Home Time - AM 11:20 - 11:30 / PM 3:20 - 3:30

The times of the activities are approximate with room for flexibility. Depending on the interest of the children some activities may continue for longer or shorter periods of time.

Brandon Nursery School Philosophy

We believe that...

Each child is unique and has the right to love, respect and quality care.

All children should have optimal experiences for physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth. They should be encouraged to develop creativity, self-confidence and positive self-image.

They should also have an opportunity to learn to make choices and decisions, to solve problems and become independent, capable thinkers.

Since children are active learners, they are entitled to a safe, fun stimulating environment where they can explore their surroundings.

The ability to learn should be nurtured so that learning and growth are a playful process.

Teachers at Brandon Nursery School will use the school's philosophy on a daily basis by:

Providing a safe, happy, healthy and caring environment.
Providing a balance of structured and non-structured activities.
Providing an environment which children are allowed many choices which will foster independence.
Allow children many different ways to express themselves in a positive manner, such as through words, music, art and body movements.
Provide praise and encouragement for every accomplishment, big or small.

Teachers at Brandon Nursery School will provide children with the opportunity to:

Develop a positive self-image through positive reinforcement, their accomplishments and learning about themselves.
Gain an understanding of the feelings of others by allowing them to express their feelings and by respecting the expressed feelings of others.
Develop language skills through socializing and interacting with others, parroting appropriate role models through conversation, stories and songs.
Develop creativity through praise and encouragement, choices and pure discovery of every action, not necessarily the end product.
Develop large and small muscle skills through a variety of experiences.