St. Paul's Episcopal Nursery School

The mission of St. Paul’s Episcopal Nursery School is to: Provide an excellent early childhood program based on current knowledge of child development Acknowledge and nurture the uniqueness of each child Develop a community of learners based on the belief that each child, parent, and staff member has the potential for infinite growth and change Create relationships of mutual respect and trust among parents, staff, and children


St. Paul’s Episcopal Nursery School was founded in 1957 by Dale David Doren, the rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, along with a small group of parishioners. At its inception, the nursery school included kindergarten due to the lack of such a program in the public schools. Accredited since 1988 by the NAEYC, the nursery school now maintains morning and afternoon classes for approximately 195 children aged 18 months to five years. St. Paul’s also offers a six week summer camp.


Welcome to St. Paul’s Episcopal Nursery School, a vibrant and nurturing place for young children and their families. Since its beginning, St. Paul’s Episcopal Nursery School has been committed to providing a warm and enriching environment for preschoolers in Mt. Lebanon and surrounding neighborhoods. We thrive on a strong relationship among the school and our parents, which allows us to put the needs of each unique child first. Our philosophy has always been based on the concept that education should guide and challenge children towards developing lives of genuine meaning, purpose and service in the world they will inherit. Our curriculum is designed to prepare children for the active work of life…all in the spirit of play. It is the purpose of the nursery school to provide a secure and happy environment in which children will flourish. Therefore, our focus strikes a balance between each child’s intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development. We strive to develop self-confident, independent, caring, and inquisitive young people who feel comfortable attempting new challenges that will lead to pleasure in learning and respect for others in their world. Our program is lead by an outstanding staff that encourages an exchange of ideas with each child through questions, observation and reaction. There is a fluid interaction between the teacher and child that gives the children the opportunity to lead and to be lead throughout their school day. St. Paul’s places primary importance on creating opportunities for children to satisfy their natural curiosity and to find fulfilling outlets through music, art, literature, and fine and gross motor activity through dramatic and other forms of play. We invite you… Jane Adams Director


St. Paul’s curriculum is based on the following educational beliefs: Children develop and learn best in a nurturing and child-centered program with diverse teaching strategies that combine both child-initiated play activities and structured teacher-directed approaches depending on the activity and learning style of the individual child, as well as those of the group as a whole. Read more about our beliefs.


The educational goals for St. Paul’s Episcopal Nursery School are: To address the whole child by providing opportunities for children to proceed along developmental lines in order to achieve developmental milestones and to master developmental tasks in the following interrelated and equally important areas: Social Emotional Intellectual Physical To provide the needed flexibility, adaptability, and scaffolding necessary to challenge and engage the wide range of varied skills, interests, and abilities within the age group. To provide a balance of age appropriate physically active and quiet activities, indoor and outdoor activities, small and large group activities, and individual activities throughout the day. To provide a balance of teacher-directed, child/teacher-negotiated, and child-initiated activities throughout the day in a manner that facilitates the children’s construction of knowledge through problem solving and their interactions with peers, teachers, and a variety of selected materials available in the classroom. To provide learning experiences that reflect the unique interests of the individual class groups and that are grounded in meaningful child-centered everyday life experiences that include play.


There is not standardized curriculum, but each teacher is prepared to design and implement teaching plans that include the six curriculum content areas (learn more) in a manner that appropriately addresses the age, abilities, interests, and learning styles of his/her group of children. Children’s development proceeds forward, with new skills and knowledge building upon previously learned skills, tasks, and developmental milestones. It is, therefore, important that the teacher’s plans facilitate an appropriate level of challenge for each group. Each of the classes has the opportunity to use the Big Room daily for gross motor activities such as climbing, tumbling, bike riding, and building with large blocks. When the weather permits, the children play outside on the fenced playground where they enjoy the freedom to play in large sands pits, in the water source during warm weather, and on the playground apparatus. There is a house for socio-dramatic play, a large outdoor easel for art, a swooping xylophone for music, and tables for snacks and other activities. The teacher may choose to take nature walks through Bird Park where the children can observe animals, birds, flowers, trees, and leaves. Some outdoor experiences may build upon the indoor activities and subject areas of study. Please check the teacher’s bulletin board outside of your child’s classroom for the schedule of activities that occur in your child’s typical day at school.

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