The Valie Genuardi Hobbit House is a child development nursery school where the age groups work and play together in a family atmosphere. The preschool is situated on the Gwynedd-Mercy College campus in the Trocaire building. The campus is a natural environment for nature walks and nature study.

The primary goal of Hobbit House is to meet the needs of the child, to respect the child's individuality and personality and to provide a program which encourages creativity. An exciting learning environment is created for the child in which structure with freedom, individualized learning, and love are incorporated.

Our mission is to open the child to the truth and love of God; to develop at each growth stage the human potential of the child and to build the child's awareness in relation to the world and the environment.

Programs

Nursery School
Age: 3 and 4-year-old children

2 or 5 Full Day Program
3 or 5 Half Day Program

In order to achieve the goals of Hobbit House, the nursery school programs all provide a curriculum of music, art, science, math and reading readiness, language development, religion and Spanish. Socialization skills are emphasized. Play, library and field trips complement this curriculum.

Three and Five Half Day Programs Are Available, as well as Two and Five Full Days.

Dates: September through May

Hours:

1/2 Day - 3 Mornings - 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
1/2 Day - 5 Mornings - 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Full Day - Tuesday and Thursday - 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

1/2 Day - 3 Afternoons - 12:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Full Day - Monday to Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Pre-Kindergarten Program
Age: 4 and 5-year-old children

"Stepping Stones" for children who will enter kindergarten the following year.

Half Day Morning or Afternoon Class
Full Day Class

In addition to the achievement of the goals of Hobbit House, this program provides opportunities for children to build more self-confidence and develop decision-making abilities which will prepare them for their entry into formal education.

Dates: September through May

Hours:

A.M. Pre-K: 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Full Day Pre-K: 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
P.M. Pre-K: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Extended hours for all programs are available 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. and 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Parents are invited to participate on all field trips. They may also spend the day at the school with their child on Nutrition Day and on their child's birthday or unbirthday. Many parents have enjoyed sharing a talent or their expertise with their child's class.

Since the Valie Genuardi Hobbit House is a vital division of Gwynedd-Mercy College, it provides college students with hands-on experience in teaching the young child. Early childhood majors, as well as nursing students, find Hobbit House a delightful place to learn about little people.

Please call (215) 641-5567 for additional information and tuition costs.