Rye United Methodist Nursery School Finds New Home In Port Chester

A long-established Rye preschool program that is soon to be homeless is joining forces with a program in Port Chester, where the two programs are set to open a new, combined preschool in September.

The Rye United Methodist Nursery School, which is scheduled to lose its home in June, is merging with The to form the new All Souls Preschool at All Souls Presbyterian Church in Port Chester. Two open houses have been scheduled for members of the community to check out the new program, on Wednesday, April 25 at 12:30 p.m. and on Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m. at All Souls, at 55 Parkway Drive in Port Chester.

Rye United Methodist Nursery School was notified in late 2011 that it would be losing its home because of the closing of Rye United Methodist Church. The church, coping with declining membership, ceased operation in December.

The organizers and parents involved in the Rye United Methodist Nursery School, which had been at the church for more than 40 years, began an outreach effort in hopes of finding a new home. However, in addition to seeking a new location, the school was also hoping to find another organization or church with which it could be affiliated.

Although Rye United Methodist Nursery School has been based at Rye United Methodist Church, the school was a separate operation and owns its own materials and equipment — including the playground gear.

Rye United Methodist Nursery School director Sheridan Povemba says the school’s solution came when the Rev. Bruce Baker, pastor of All Souls Presbyterian Church, proposed a merger with the church’s existing nursery school program, the Pre-Day School.

After discussions between Povemba and Baker, and feedback from families involved with Rye United Methodist Nursery School and All Souls, an agreement was reached to launch the new school in September.

Povemba said All Souls Preschool will offer a safe, nurturing learning environment in which each child will develop a positive self-image, cooperative social skills, and gradually become an independent thinker.  She said the program will give each child a rich, enjoyable experience that will lay the foundation for the next step in his/her educational journey. 

The size of the setting in Port Chester will allow the children to experience large group exploration, as well as also more intimate interactions, Povemba said. She noted that the Port Chester location is convenient for families in Rye, Rye Brook and western Greenwich, CT.

For more information about the new school contact Povemba at 914-939-4301 or go to info@allsoulspreschool.com