The Rye Arts Center is a community-based, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inspire interest and maximum participation in the arts in Westchester and the surrounding region. We are committed to offering programs that are characterized by artistic tradition, educational value, and a spirit of innovation. The RAC is run by a Board of Directors and employs a small staff in addition to teaching artists and musicians. 

In accordance with the New York State Prekindergarten Foundation for the Common Core, The Rye Arts Center incorporates activities that focus on the development of the child. Through social interaction, a positive environment, daily creative activities, and more, children will begin to have a deeper understanding of their world.

Art activities will make use of a broad range of media, such as watercolor, tempera, and pastels, and will be applied using a variety of techniques - all while exploring forms such as mixed media, collage, and more.  Development of fine motor and observation skills are key to reaching early milestones, and creating art is a wonderful way to hone them.

Music and creative movement activities will give students a chance to express themselves in spontaneous and imaginative ways.  Students will listen to and sing songs which relate to preschool curriculum, perform simple rhythms on percussion instruments and use music and movement to tell stories.

Is Your Child Ready For A Long Day?

Adding a morning or afternoon creative arts program to your child’s school day is a perfect way to give them a much needed outlet for their creativity. This program could be right for your child if:

• Your child will be 3.5 years old by September 1, 2024.

• Your child is completely toilet trained and needs little or no assistance in the bathroom.

• Your child can follow simple directions within a group setting.

• Your child has some physical endurance (i.e. can walk without being carried, no longer needs a nap).

• Your child enjoys time away from their primary caregiver and is resilient.  (i.e. he or she likes to be with other children, usually separates easily to go play).

Our instructors are experienced in early childhood education with backgrounds in art and music. Each class focuses on self-expression through art, music, and movement activities.  Our coordinator works closely with the instructors to ensure that the needs of the students are met on an individual basis and that the activities integrate as closely as possible with the core curriculum. 

Health

Staff members are certified in CPR and first aid courses.

Security

In addition staff and teachers have passed background checks. 

The RAC has an emergency action plan in place to ensure the safety of our students and visitors at all times.

*Notice:

Please note: The RAC is not a preschool and is not licensed as a New York State Child Care Provider. We are not legally affiliated with Rye Presbyterian Nursery School, Christ Church Nursery School, or any other school.

The RAC is required to keep its program duration less than three hours during the school year. We are unable to accommodate early drop-off or later pick-up times.

Volunteers:

It is possible, at times, that an adult volunteer will be with each class to maintain a low student-to-teacher ratio. Please be assured that all volunteers will be subject to the same background checks as they pertain to staff and instructors. 

Monday and Friday Mornings

9:15 am:

Parents drop off children at The RAC followed by classes and lunch.  

11:45 am: 

Classes end and parents pickup children not attending RPNS or CCNS from The RAC. The RAC staff walk children to their local preschool. CCNS staff walk children to CCNS on Fridays.

Tuesday, Wednesday + Thursday Afternoons:

11:30 am:

The RAC staff arrives at participating nursery schools to pickup children from their classrooms. Staff walks children to The RAC.

11:45 am:

Parents drop off children not attending RPNS or CCNS at The RAC. Children eat lunch followed with classes.

2:15 pm: 

Parents pick up children at The RAC.

*Note: As previously mentioned, The RAC is required to keep its program duration less than three hours during the school year. We are unable to accommodate early drop-off or later pick-up times. 

*Note: The schedule for this program will follow The Rye City School District calendar. If school is not in session, there will not be a program on that day.

Local Participating Nursery Schools

Rye Presbyterian Nursery School:

Monday and Friday Mornings; Wednesday Afternoons 

Christ Church Nursery School:

Tuesday Afternoons; Friday Mornings 

Students can enroll at any time during the school year, although only limited spots are available.  Tuition will be prorated accordingly.

If you are interested in registering, please contact us to receive a full information packet on our Half Day for Half Pints Program. The complete application consists of 5 documents:

• Registration Form

• Medical and Emergency Contract Form

• Signed Consent/Contract Agreement

• A Copy of your Child’s Immunization Record

• Birth Certificate/Passport

We welcome all children who meet the Pre-K requirements!  For those students enrolling into a morning program, we ask that the parent/guardian pick up their child by 11:45 am before the group walks over to their participating nursery school. For those students enrolling into an afternoon program, we ask that the guardian/parent and drop off their child at 12:15 pm after the group returns from their participating nursery school.

Each day meets a different number of times due to holiday schedules.   Please refer to our HDHP Packet for prices. HDHP spots are filled on a first come, first-served basis.  A nonrefundable deposit of $400 is required upon registration. In addition, an annual Rye Arts Center family level membership of $100 is required which provides many benefits.

If you are registering for more than one day, you will need to place a deposit for each class you wish to enroll. If you are not selected for the program, your $400 deposit will be refunded to you. You may cancel for a full refund less the $400 non-refundable deposit if you notify the RAC in writing by August 1. No refunds will be available after August 1.

There are no refunds for missed classes. (Checks payable to The Rye Arts Center). Membership is non-refundable.

If you need to withdraw prior to the end of the school year, please contact

Heather Rinello hdhp@ryeartscenter.org
(914) 967-0700, ext. 23.

In case of inclement weather, we will follow The Rye City School District.  If there is no school, there is no class at The RAC. 

If the Rye City School District is delayed, classes will begin at 10:15am. Parents will be advised by 10:15am as to whether or not sidewalks will be clear for walking. If sidewalks will not be clear, parents will be advised to arrange for pick up at The RAC.

In the case of severe or threatening weather conditions occurring during class time, it will be at The RAC’s discretion whether or not to continue holding class.  Contact will be made with the nursery schools and parents accordingly.  

Our general guideline for “travel conditions” to and from The RAC is a cutoff of 32°but if there is a low wind chill, we will walk when temperatures are in the high 20s.  Walking may be restricted in cases of high wind, heavy rain, thunderstorms and snow/icy conditions. A decision will be made by 9:15am if there will be no walking on that particular day.   If so, the nursery schools and parents will be contacted. Parents are encouraged to arrange carpooling. 

If your child is sick or will be late for class, please call the main office at 914-967-0700 or the preschool office on ext. 31.

Safety is our prime concern when we are with your children. The RAC must be notified in writing, by phone or email if there are any changes to the drop off/pick up of your child.

The RAC staff, CCNS staff and instructors will be with the children at all times.  When walking to and from either RPNS or CCNS we will be using a STOP SIGN and the children will hold on to a colored rope for crossing at designated crossing locations.  Each child’s nursery school teacher will sign The RAC pick up/drop-off log to confirm your child’s departure and arrival to and from school.

Children should pack a healthy lunch and must be able to feed themselves. We would be happy to reheat kid-friendly items like chicken nuggets or mac n’ cheese. The Rye Arts Center has a water fountain and water cooler available, and we also are happy to supply water to your children. Although The Rye Arts Center is not a nut-free facility we do request that you pack a nut-free lunch due to some food allergies.  

Please pack rain gear when the weather requires it and bring hats and mittens when the months grow cold. Our staff will assist children when necessary with the task of putting on outerwear.

Do I need to bring/pack a lunch, extra clothing, smock etc?

Yes, please pack a lunch and a change of clothes in case of need. Smocks will be provided for art activities. Please make sure your child is dressed in weather appropriate attire.

The HDHP program follows the Rye City School District calendar. If school is not in session, there will not be a program on that day. In case of inclement weather, we will follow the Rye City School District. If there is no school that day, there is no class at The RAC. If the Rye City School District is delayed, classes will begin at 9:45am. In the case of severe or threatening weather conditions occurring during class time, it will be at The RAC’s discretion whether or not to hold class. Contact will be made with the nursery schools and parents accordingly.

Is there drop-off/pick-up in cases of inclement weather?

The RAC Staff is prepared to walk in all kinds of weather provided it is not a threat to the children (i.e. severe temperatures, thunderstorms).   Parents should contact The RAC if they feel more comfortable driving their child on any particular day. Arranging carpools in advance is recommended. In the event that The RAC decides the weather is too threatening for drop off or pick up, the parents as well as the nursery schools will be notified.