About Us

Sunshine Nursery School is a semi-cooperative preschool where parent involvement fosters a growing relationship between the school and families.  Sunshine promotes social and emotional health by establishing trusting relationships and respecting the individuality of every child in our school.

Our highly qualified, long-term professional staff and the low teacher-to-child ratio in our classrooms create a safe and happy environment, along with a curriculum that promotes social skills, self esteem and a love of learning.

Our PLAY-based curriculum provides experiences that build upon the children’s present knowledge and that develop problem-solving abilities that will help them in the future. The well-planned curriculum is designed to meet the developmental needs of each child and provides a positive foundation for lifelong learning.

Sunshine Nursery School was founded by a small group of interested parents of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington. The group felt a need for a cooperative preschool in Arlington, one in which parents and children could be involved together. In June of 1957, the school was licensed by the Office for Child Care Services and opened in September of that year.

For 56 years, the semi-cooperative preschool thrived at the church and in 1984 incorporated as a not-for-profit center.

Sunshine Nursery School is governed by a Board of Directors made up of the director of the school, directors of other child care centers in Arlington, an accountant, pediatrician, a lawyer and parents who have children attending the school or attended the school. The president, clerk and treasurer are elected from that group.

In 2014, Sunshine Nursery School purchased the first floor of the Sons of Italy at 19 Prentiss Road in Arlington and operates as a condo-trust. The new design was creative and continues to have space for three-year-old classrooms, four-year-old classrooms and a Pre-K classroom. A large gross motor space was designed for movement, enrichment programs, and classroom activities. A spacious fenced-in playground with a climbing structure and sand box was constructed adjacent to the building.

 

As Sunshine Nursery School draws children from several towns and many neighborhoods, we work hard to build community among our families. Picnics, Coffee Hours, and Playground Playdates are regularly scheduled events enjoyed by all. Children are entertained by magicians, jugglers and puppeteers while parents enjoy chatting with each other, teachers and other families in a social setting.

Additionally, several times during the year the school hosts informative evening sessions for families on relevant topics such such as “Transitioning to Kindergarten” and “Making Nutrition Count.”