Programming & Facilities Updates
Full Day Programming
Starting in 2024, Park West began offering a full day class option.
This new program allows us to meet the needs of Park West families that want or need their child to be at school for more hours. The full day class structure was carefully designed and considered to honor Park West’s separation plan allowing the transfer of trust from parents to teachers.
Lunch Bunch
Building Community One Meal at a Time: Park West's Lunch Bunch Program
For almost six decades, Park West Co-op Nursery School has understood something fundamental about early childhood education: Some of the most meaningful learning happens around the table. Our beloved family-style snack time has been a cornerstone of the Park West experience since our founding, teaching children the social rhythms of shared meals; passing the pitcher, waiting for everyone to be served, and engaging in unhurried conversation with classmates and teachers. We all remember some memorable moments shared around the snack table during an assist day!
Today, we're excited to extend this cherished tradition through our growing Lunch Bunch program, an enrichment option that brings the same values and warmth to the lunch hour.
A Natural Extension of Our Philosophy
Lunch Bunch serves our half-day Junior Kindergarten and 4-Day students during the lunch period before or after their regular Park West class. Like our traditional snack time, Lunch Bunch embraces a family-style approach: Children and teachers sit together at the table, sharing a meal served on our metal plates and using bowls with cloth napkins. Our staff members don't just supervise. They eat alongside the children, modeling conversation, table manners, and the simple pleasure of breaking bread together.
This isn't just lunch. It's an extension of our classroom community.
What Makes Mealtime Meaningful
When children practice asking a friend to "please pass the vegetables" or wait patiently while everyone is served, they're developing executive function, empathy, and social awareness. When a teacher shares a story during lunch or asks about a child's morning, they're building the kind of warm, trusting relationships that help young learners thrive. When children see their peers trying new foods or hear a teacher express genuine enjoyment of the meal, they become more adventurous eaters themselves. These moments, seemingly small, are actually profound opportunities for growth.
Beyond the meal itself, Lunch Bunch offers additional playtime that extends classroom experiences, giving children more opportunities to deepen friendships, explore materials, and simply be together in the supportive environment they know and love.
Honoring Tradition While Embracing Growth
As Park West evolves, expanding programming options like Lunch Bunch, we remain rooted in the values that have defined us for almost 60 years. The reusable plates and napkins, the teachers eating alongside children, the gentle encouragement to try one bite of something new: These details aren't accidental. They reflect our enduring belief that children learn best in an environment that feels like their space, where every interaction matters and every meal is a chance to build community.
Gym updates
Our gym received some fun new updates this summer! We installed a new play structure with monkey bars, swings, a zip line, and a small climbing wall. This will allow children new avenues for play and help develop new skills.
