Small by Design
christ's church nursery school
rye, new york
Large in Learning
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Inside CCNS
... purposeful play
for lifelong learning
Christ’s Church Nursery School (CCNS) is Rye’s “Small by Design, Large in Learning” nursery school. Our students flourish through exploring, creating, engaging and experiencing the world around them in a purposeful play based curriculum that is small in structure as well as student/teacher ratio. The caliber of our teachers is a hallmark of our school - all of our Head Teachers have their Master's in Education.
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the daily
program
01
About
MEET CCNS
as our signs say, “We’re the Episcopal Church, We Welcome You!” Our core values are reflected in a curriculum that supports the young learner. Those values include offering children a loving place where they feel nurtured and valued. Learning cannot take place unless a child feels safe and secure in their environment and with the adults who interact with them.
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History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
- CCNS was founded by the Vestry of Christ's Church on September 20, 1965
- In 1987, CCNS was the first school in Westchester County to be accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a division of the National Association for the Education of Young Children as a model of excellence in programming for young children.
- CCNS maintains membership in the National Association of Episcopal Schools which makes us both an education community and a faith community
- The school began with 12 four year olds attending class Monday, Wednesdays & Fridays with one parent and one "qualified" teacher in charge. Since then the school has grown into a half-day (mornings & afternoons) private, non-profit, Episcopal nursery school serving approximately 180 children ranging in age from 16 months through 5 years.
- Children attend from one to five days per week and each class has a professional staff consisting of a passionate, educated head and assistant teachers.
ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
School History
MEET CCNS
I am so proud and honored to have been the Director of CCNS since 2017. It really does not feel like work when you have the pleasure to spend your days with such a wonderful school community. Having spent 25 years working in this field, I can tell you unequivocally, that it is the greatest pleasure to watch children grow into their very best selves and to be able to support them on their journey.
I am committed to the parent-teacher relationship so together we can create the best experiences for your children. I am committed to supporting my teachers to learn and grow and bring the best to their classrooms every day. I am committed to the children so that they can learn and grow in a stress-free, fun, challenging program that supports their age appropriate development. I will always push for Christ's Church Nursery School to deliver the best nursery school experience possible and we will, of course, have some laughs and smiles along the way. Thank you for choosing CCNS to be a part of this journey with you.
Hirsch
Ann
school Director
Meet the Teachers
ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Courtney Donohue considers herself to be one of the luckiest members of the CCNS Faculty and Staff. She not only has the joyous job of teaching our three - five year old students throughout the CCNS Literacy Program, she also has the pleasure of working with young families as the CCNS Admissions Director.
Courtney received a Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. She previously taught first grade at Horace Mann School and fifth grade at The Epiphany School in Manhattan. Courtney has been with CCNS for six years. She adores all her students and their families. Her free time is most happily spent with her husband and their three grown children.
Donohue
Courtney
Admissions and Literacy Program
Next Teacher
ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Sue Kelly is delighted to be working at CCNS for her second year. Sue teaches in the Purple Room Fours AM class. Additionally, Sue has just joined the CCNS Admissions team and is working with all new families. Prior to working at CCNS, Sue spent several years working in the Rye City Elementary Schools. Sue holds a Bachelors degree in Communications from Marist College and worked in advertising before switching to the field of education. Sue is married and has two college-age children. Her children attended the Rye City Schools before heading to Bucknell University. As teacher, parent, long-time area resident and former Vice President of the Rye YMCA Board, Sue is very knowledgeable about the community and has a great perspective on schools and resources in the area.
Kelly
Suzanne
Admissions and AM Fours Teacher
Next Teacher
ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Returning for her second year at CCNS, Darcey formerly worked in a local Nursery School as an Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper. Darcey loves working with young children and has really enjoyed getting to know everyone in the CCNS community. She looks forward to meeting and knowing all the new students for next year, and having all the children back in the fall. Darcey is a lifelong resident of Rye Neck and lives with her husband and daughter. Outside of school Darcey enjoys their place in the Catskills, the beach and spending time with friends and family.
Pineda
Darcey
Administrative Assistant
CCNS Business office
Next Teacher
ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Andra is a lifelong resident of Westchester. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies from The Catholic University of America and a Master of Science in Education from The College of New Rochelle. Andra is a certified teacher and has taught for 12 years. Before staying home to have a family and bring up her children, Andra previously taught at Midland School in Rye for 7 years. She is a mother to four wonderful children, two boys, and two girls. Andra enjoys spending family time and finds pleasure in the love of her family!
o'brien
Andra
head teacher Threes program
Next Teacher
ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Leigh has been an educator for over 25 years. With her background in Early Childhood Education and Counseling, She is well versed in behavior management, conflict resolution and helping children foster socialization skills. Leigh has taught from preschool through the University level and spends her summers working with children of all ages at day camp. She thoroughly enjoys working with two-year-olds and works diligently to help all of the children in her classes celebrate their discoveries and achievements.
Becker
Leigh
head Teacher, TWOS class
Next Teacher
ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Maria joined CCNS in 2019. Maria has been working in the early childhood field for over 20 years. Maria holds a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. She has taught every different age group from birth through age four in during her career. Maria adores teaching the twos. "For many children, the two's program is their first introduction to school. It is so exciting seeing my students experience the joys of school for the very first time!" Maria's outside interests include teaching religious education and bible camp at her parish in Tuckahoe, New York.
Denti
Maria
AssisTANT Teacher, TWOs Class
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ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
A native Californian, Jaime has lived in New York ever since college, where she graduated with a BS in Studio Art from NYU. Her son attended CCNS, at which point, she knew she wanted to devote herself more to the amazing CCNS school community. Previously, she has taught in the after-school program at the RyeNeck School system in addition to having daycare experience with children as young as three months to five years old. She enjoys painting, fishing, cooking, reading to children and spending time with her two amazing kids and husband.
Tanaka-Boulia
Jaime
AssisTANT Teacher, Threes class
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ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Michelle has been working within the nursery school setting since 2001 and at CCNS since 2016. She graduated from Concordia College with a BS in Early Childhood Education. Michelle recently completed her Early Childhood Master of Education from American College. It has been a dream of hers to be a teacher ever since she was a child. She loves to work in CCNS’s nurturing, loving environment where children can learn and experience new challenges that will help build their confidence while they play. Michelle's list of "favorite things" are going to museums with her 10-year-old son and creating art projects with him at home. She is looking forward to another great year in the Green Room.
Nickels
Michelle
Assistant Teacher, Threes Class
Next Teacher
ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Kathy is a lifelong resident of Westchester and is one of our longest tenured teachers, having joined CCNS in 2003. She holds a BS in Elementary Education from Iona College and an MS in Special Education from the College of New Rochelle. Prior to CCNS, Kathy taught at Central School and Mamaroneck Ave Pre-k. To spend any time around her is to know that her students truly benefit from her dream to be a teacher and work with children. Her outside interests are a good book, the beach and spending time with her four daughters and grandchildren.
Moran
Kathy
head teacher, Threes class
Next Teacher
ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Erin joined CCNS in 2016 to teach in the threes program. She absolutely loves teaching this age group and finds every day to be exciting. Erin holds a Bachelor's degree from Boston College and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Fordham University, Erin previously taught third and fourth grade at The Churchill School in NYC. Erin lives in Rye and has two daughters. Her family loves travel and taking adventures together.
Cassin
Erin
Head teacher, Threes class
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ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Regina was educated in Ireland and continued her education in early childhood development at Westchester Community College. She has been as assistant teacher at CCNS since 1999. She enjoys reading, gardening, music and travel.
cullivan
Regina
Block Room Teacher
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ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Florence Taylor joined the staff of CCNS in 2015 and she holds a BS/BA in Psychology/American History from SUNY Binghamton. Her MS ED is from Brooklyn College with post-graduate studies at Bank Street School of Education. She is a great resource for our families and our staff and brings unbridled energy to her classroom. Her outside interests include face painting, yoga, gardening and mothering her three fantastic children.
Taylor
Florence
Head teacher, Fours class
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ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Ro is a lifelong resident of the Sound shore, and came to CCNS in 1999! Roseanne holds an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. and has worked with every age group at our school. Her compassionate and kind nature has endeared her to our many new and long-time families! Her outside interests include her eleven grandchildren who keep her very busy.
Lovallo
Roseanne
Assistant teacher, Fours class
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ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Deana is a lifelong Westchester resident who holds a BA from Catholic University of America with a major in painting and a minor in Early Childhood Education. Deana also has a Master's in Elementary Education from lona College,and is a certified children yoga/mindful instructor. Deana joined CCNS in 2015. She has three children, three dogs, loves traveling, the arts, photography, being outdoors, Disney World and Montauk!
Pizzutello
Deana
head teacher, Fives class
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ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Myrna holds a BA in Language Arts and French Literature from Damascus University in Syria. Myrna joined the faculty of CCNS in 2012 and has been the Assistant Teacher in the Orange Room since then. She is a long time resident of Westchester who enjoys traveling, walking and golfing with her husband and four boys. Myrna is very passionate about teaching and inspiring children to love to learn.
Kara
Myrna
Assistant teacher, Fives class
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ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Nancy is a lifelong resident of Rye, NY who holds a BA from the College of New Rochelle in Psychology and Elementary Education. Nancy also received her Masters in Education from Manhattanville College and previously taught at Milton and Rye Country Day School. Nancy loves working with young children, guiding and nurturing them to learn and grow. She is married with five children, two dogs and spends her free time watching her children play sports, dance and they all enjoy vacationing at the beach in Mantoloking, New Jersey.
Lavelle
Nancy
head teacher, Fours class
Next Teacher
ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
MEET CCNS
Ann Hirsch - Nursery School Director
Lizzie Bommer - Vestry Liaison, Board Chair
Lisa Pell - Secretary
Parents Association Chairs
Connie Dempster
Kendall Truman
ABOUT
History
staff
Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees
Welcome to Christ's Church Nursery School community in Rye. We are pleased to share this virtual tour of our early childhood program and invite you to come for a personal visit. CCNS is dedicated to providing your child with the highest quality early education experience. We offer morning and afternoon programs for ages 16 months through Pre-K and partner with local organizations to provide extended day enrichment opportunities.
On behalf of our teachers, our families, and children welcome! We look forward to seeing you soon.
The CCNS Family
Coming up at CCNS:
Jan 18 - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb 15 - 19 Mid Winter Recess
Mar 11 - Parent/Teacher CoNFerences
Mar 12 - Staff Development Day
Mar 19 - Silent Auction Fundraiser
Mar 29 - Apr 2 - Spring ReCEss
May 4 - Mothers Day Celebrations
May 31 - Memorial Day
Jun 4 - Moving Up Ceremony 4's & 5's
Jun 9 - new Family Picnic
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programs
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as active constructors of their own development
& learning"
"At CCNS, We see children
We value children as individuals and strive to create classroom environments that are nurturing and sensitive to their changing needs that will inspire a love of learning and a strong self of self. Our "Small by Design/Large in Learning" school is truly a place that children feel safe
to explore, connect, create, learn & Grow
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Our Philosophy
The CCNS curriculum is inspired by the Bank Street College approach to learning. Founded in 1916 in New York City, Bank Street is “widely recognized as the gold standard” in progressive learning. Using this approach, we recognize that learning is active and joyful. We believe that children learn best when they are in an atmosphere where they are warmly encouraged to be part of the process. We seek to create a setting where children can be fully engaged and actively immersed in learning.
This approach also treats every child as a valued member of the community. We recognize that every student has “unique potential”. It is our core mission to greet each student at their individual level of development. We meet our students “where they are” and offer them a nurturing and constructive environment where they can grow, build confidence, and share their unique gifts.
CCNS seeks to build self-confident, creative, curious learners. Through hands-on play and thoughtful discussion where everyone’s ideas are valued, We help our students grow as both independent and collaborative learners. This inclusive environment also helps children gain a greater understanding of kindness, acceptance, and diversity.
CCNS is committed to preparing our students for kindergarten and beyond. We offer a blend of both traditional and child-driven emergent curriculum units that promote the development of a well-rounded, thoughtful “student for life”. We encourage our students to ask questions, contribute ideas and seek new ways to problem solve. In addition to traditional curriculum units essential to preschool, emergent topics based on what the children are showing interest in at the time are also explored. Learning activities that include fine and creative arts, literacy, numeracy, social studies, science/lab work, and building/architecture are presented to children through play. Through these units, children build the cognitive skills needed for continued higher learning.
CCNS encourages our students to cultivate a love of self and of community. Our greatest hope is to impart our students with a solid social-emotional skill set that is needed for their well-being as they contribute to make our school and world better.
Educational Approach
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Our morning programs run
Monday through Friday
8:45 - 11:30.
Our afternoon programs run
Monday through Friday
12:30 -3:15.
The Daily
Program
CCNS Offers
2 & 3 day programs for 2 year olds
4 or 5 day programs for 3 year olds
5 Day programs for 4 & 5 year olds
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Explore
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The Red Room is a place where children develop a love of learning and become confident in the context of separation and individuation. It provides a safe, stimulating and loving environment that allows children to develop a sense of self and autonomy. We work on independence, including self-help and self-care skills, in a gentle classroom setting.
In the Red Room children are prepared with core foundational skills that they take with them as they progress through school. These foundational skills include core social, play and self-regulatory skills. For example, children learn to become confident in the context of separation from their primary caregiver(s), begin to play cooperatively and symbolically, learn how to resolve conflict in a prosocial manner, and form a sense of community and belongingness in their small group.
The Red Room integrates routines that help children feel safe and secure as well as a sense of mastery over their environment. Some of the children will move onto the 3’s class fully toilet trained! Children are able to actively explore their classroom environment with a variety of materials including clay, paint, play dough, sand and water.
inside The Red Room
2's Class
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Explore
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The 3’s classes, known as the Yellow and Green Rooms, are dynamic, nurturing, and child-centered classrooms. They are organized with different learning centers: blocks, dramatic play, library, art materials, mathematics manipulatives, and sensory tables. The centers promote learning through play and this developmentally appropriate environment invites children to explore, examine, question, predict, test, and investigate.
Children use their imaginations as they take on pretend roles and further develop a sense of symbolic thought and mental representation. The classroom teachers function in accordance with the dynamics of the classroom, adjusting to individual and group needs. A creative and dynamic curriculum is used which is revised as children’s needs and interests change. Frequently the children self-select a particular focus, allow for an emergent curriculum which illustrates our respect for each child’s capacity to think, plan, act, work and play. The Handwriting Without Tears Program is also introduced in the the three's and continues through the fours. Each year of this fun and exciting program is designed to be age appropriate and gently helps children develop their fine motor skills as well as their alphabetic awareness.
inside The Yellow and Green Rooms
3's Class
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Explore
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The 4’s classes, known as the Blue and Green Rooms, are warm, nurturing, and aesthetically pleasing classroom environments that promote learning through exploration. We recognize that children’s play is the building block of learning, as it contains key questions and allows children a vehicle to explore the answers to their questions. The classrooms integrate a strong visual art component that provides a link to literature, literacy, math and science.
Children take an active role in their learning and exploration of classroom materials and create their own literature which helps them to develop a deeper understandings of explored social and academic concepts. We believe in scaffolding children’s learning; that is, we come alongside them in order to support their learning and development.
The Green and Blue Rooms are places where children learn to how to love to learn.
Our classrooms provide a safe place for children to make friends and become socially aware. Each child is individually supported within a group environment. Children leave the Blue and Green Rooms ready for a successful experiences in Kindergarten or in a 5’s class.
Blue, Green and purple rooms
4's Class
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The 5’s class, the Orange Room, is comprised of children who will turn 5 years-old in late summer, early fall or winter. This classroom is ideal for children who will benefit from an extra year to grow socially and emotionally before beginning kindergarten. Our child-centered classroom immerses students in creativity and learning. It teaches children a strong sense of responsibility and community and provides a nurturing environment that encourages children to express their point of view and personality through painting, sculpture, drama and play.
Daily literacy activities and materials enable children to actively engage in storytelling and retelling and develop letter-sound awareness as well as reading/listening comprehension. Children are given opportunities to develop their expressive language throughout the day in their play, art, writing and game playing. Children are provided with rich experiences and time to develop a sense of natural curiosity and love of learning.
inside The Orange ROom
5's Class
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Explore
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ENrichment
programs
CCNS Offers
Mrs. Courtney Donohue
Mrs. Deborah Faranda
Ms. REgina Cullivan
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Literacy
Music
Movement
Block Room
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Literacy
Courtney Donohue
Every week Mrs. Donohue transforms Christ’s Church’s Sunday School classroom into a goldmine of hands-on literacy and language experiences. Oral language is the foundation for acquiring later reading skills. The rhymes, poems, stories and chants that Mrs. Donohue shares with the children each week provide the bedrock for a happy transition into the formal acquisition of reading skills. She also creates an inviting physical environment based on the literature that she shares with the children. At this level children are engaging with language and while being exposed to the printed word the primary goal is for them to enjoy the sheer pleasure of “reading.” The confidence they build in a language based environment is more meaningful than learning skills out of isolation or focusing on “the alphabet.”
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Music
our music program is an integral part of the CCNS curriculum.
Our students sing songs, chants and rhymes while learning about different beats and rhythms.
Our students will continue developing their musical capacity through exposure to different mediums and styles of music, Hearing patterns and making movements, all of which provide exercise for the brain and help develop their recall memory and fosters self-regulated learning.
Exposure to different instruments, such as rhythm sticks, tamborines, guitar, ukelele, autoharp, and many others, is an important feature for our student's active learning and Participation.
The children have a wonderful time as they embark on this musical journey!
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movement
CCNS is very fortunate to have gym on wheels working with our children in Creative Moment. our students are learning about spatial and body awareness as well as working to coordinate gross-motor skills. the children are also learning how to listen and direct their bodies and minds accordingly in their responses. Our children love movement!
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the BLock ROom
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Of Algebra, mathematics & science...
Building the Foundations
Physical Development,
Language Arts, Social Studies.... Patterns, Symmetry, Balance...
Social & Emotional Skills
Communication,
confidence, & cooperation
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& Programs
at CCNS
Special Days
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Fall Touch A Truck Fair
Halloween Parade
Grandparent's Day
Children's Holiday Concert
100 Days of School
Saturday At School
Tim and The Space Cadets
Music & Munchies
June Bugs Camp
We chose Christ Church Nursery School because we saw first hand the incredible experience our friends with older children had in the CCNS community. 3 boys graduated CCNS and years later entered college as wonderfully grounded and well-rounded young men. They attended different grade schools and high schools yet the boys and their parents remained best friends over a decade later. CCNS' intimate community fosters meaningful relationships between classmates, their families and a caring staff. We are thrilled our children are able to grow and explore in such a nurturing and dynamic environment.
incredible
experience"
"We saw first hand the
Kristan Watson
Mom to Savanna, John and Peter
From the bright, open and engaging classrooms to the incredibly warm and nurturing staff, we've loved our experience at Christ Church Nursery School. After my son's first day, he ran to me and said, "MOM! They have a whole room, just for blocks!" I couldn't believe it when the whole class worked together together to build the Eiffel Tower, hard hats and all.
and engaging
classrooms"
"We loved the bright,open
Sarah Falcone
Mom to Ben, Leila & Will
We immediately got a sense of a happy family at CCNS. We have made many very good friends there and our boys have flourished. The teachers are warm, the community strong and the learning fun. Our older son has moved on to kindergarten with confidence and our younger son enjoys the endless new activities and experiences
sense of a
happy family"
"We immediately got a
Clare Menzies
Mom to Christopher & Edward
We chose CCNS because of the quality instruction, close-knit parents group, and nurturing environment. The rooms are large and bright, the teachers are engaged and caring, and the children are comfortable in a smaller school setting. My daughter is excited to go to school each day and is thriving in the classroom.
quality of instruction"
"We chose CCNS for the
amanda doyle
Mom to niamah & Declan
We chose CCNS because of its small by design and progressive (developmental-interactionist) approach. It has instilled in our children a love of learning, a sense of community and fellowship, and cemented core traits in our children like confidence, empathy, caring and joy. All of the teachers at CCNS share in this love of learning and have a zeal for teaching. The sense of community of CCNS is amazing and our family has found lifelong friends at CCNS.
a love of learning"
"CCNS has instilled
Sasha Blackwell
Mom to ben & Jolie
We love CCNS! The teachers are thoughtful patient and truly care about my kids. The small size makes everyone accessible and makes us feel like we're part of a family. We've made friendships here that will last a lifetime.
everyone
accessible
"The small size makes
Nicole Stocks
Mom to Harry & Nick
