Donna Hart Is Notch Hill Interim Director, Teacher, Mom

Like every teacher at the Nursery on Notch Hill, Donna Hart started off as a mom who picked this place for her little one's first classroom experience.

That was nearly 20 years ago, but Donna still remembers her first response, during her very first visit, to the little school nestled beneath North Branford's Zion Episcopal Church on Notch Hill Road.

"I came in and looked around, sat down for circle time, and never looked anywhere else! This was like home," says Donna, who's currently serving as the school's interim director.

Donna enrolled her oldest child (now 22), followed by the Hart's two younger children, and things simply progressed from there.

"I never went away," she says. "I was here seven years as a parent helper with my own kids; then a job as a teaching assistant with the four year-olds came up, and I took it."

When the school's other assistant retired, Donna filled that role, too, acting as the school's teaching assistant for all classes (ages 3 to 5) for nine years. Along the way, Donna earned her certificate as a nursery school teacher. When a job opening came up four years ago, Donna was asked to become the newest teacher.

Now, as both teacher and interim director, Donna's helping the Nursery on Notch Hill celebrate 40 years in the community. Founded in 1971, it is North Branford's first co-operative nursery school and the town's first nursery school. It continues to be a non-profit Parent Cooperative Nursery School.

According to a school history note, the Nursery on Notch Hill was founded as a community outreach program of Zion Church to allow the children of North Branford and surrounding communities to have a pre-school learning experience.

The school still attracts families from communities surrounding North Branford, including Branford, East Haven, and Guilford, notes Donna. Of course, some other things have changed.

"Forty years ago, even 20 years ago, it was great to have a parent cooperative because we were all stay-at-home moms. It's more challenging now, because in many cases both parents are working. Now, we have grandparents who come in and help and we also have mommies as well as daddies, because a lot of dads are more involved now. The kids love it that dad is here!"

The kids love their teachers, too. In addition to "Miss Donna," two other moms-turned-teachers serve the school's current roster of 22 kids, assisted by two aides. The Nursery on Notch Hill offers five days of classes per week, providing a structured and academic program designed to enhance social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. The school's child-centered environment is designed to prepare kids for success as they become developmentally ready for kindergarten, says Donna. Classes are fun, positive, and encourage kids to get along well as they explore and learn, she adds.

"With my classes, especially my three year-olds, I'm focusing on socialization; getting along with others and being respectful. That sets the foundation for learning. Then, everything will come."

As a parent of former students here, Donna says one of the best parts of being a Nursery on Notch Hill family member are the memories to be made.

"We still have our special events like our Mother's Tea, our Thanksgiving Feast, and graduation ceremonies. I'm still friends with people I met through this school when our kids were little," says Donna, adding, "I feel like we're a little gem here, a hidden gem that I want people to know about."

Parents interested in learning more can visit Donna Hart at the Nursery on Notch Hill, 320 Notch Hill Road (at North Branford Zion Episcopal Church) during an Open House on Saturday, March 24 from noon to 2 p.m. Parents are also invited to call 203-481-0240, email nurseryonnotchhill@gmail.com, or visit www.nurseryonnotchhill.com to learn more about the school.