Shannon Nursery will stay at the Presbyterian Church
By Nathan R. Huff
Parents at Shannon Nursery School are breathing a sigh of relief, after preschool directors and their landlord, the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, agreed to a plan to keep the preschool while still allowing the expansion of church programs.
A month ago, the 37-year old parent cooperative nursery school was faced with finding another site--a difficult and expensive proposition. But thanks to the work of a committee of church and preschool supporters, a compromise was found.
For the next year at least, Shannon will continue to offer a Tuesday and Thursday morning program for its 2- and 3-year-olds, while moving its three-day program for the older preschool children to Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
"It looks like it's going to be a good year next year," Shannon co-director Carol Mandere said. "We're relieved; we've got another year at least and hopefully we'll stay longer."
The nursery's change in hours is the result of the church's continuing success and growth. The increasing participation in a Wednesday morning program for mothers with young children and a Friday morning program for parents has put growing demands on the nursery facility.
Jo Ann Van Ballegooijen, a church facility committee member, said that because of licensing regulations, children from Shannon are not allowed to mix with children brought by parents participating in the Wednesday and Friday morning programs. And, while the church also runs a full-time day care program of its own, those children also aren't allowed to mingle.
By adjusting the older children's schedule, the church is able to free Shannon's facility for morning use, and the nursery can remain. Mandere said that while a few parents weren't able to make the adjustment, most have fairly flexible schedules and will continue enrollment. She added that, not surprisingly in Los Gatos' tight preschool market, registration for the fall schedule is already heating up.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
