ICNS
Irvine Community Nursery School, a non-profit corporation established in 1972, is a fully licensed parent participation preschool. As a parent participation preschool, each family shares in the planning and operation of the school. Parents are required to participate in the school's daily program on a rotating basis, serving as assistants to the professional teachers in the classroom. The efforts of parents and their direct involvement with the children during the school day make ICNS a unique and rewarding educational endeavor for both children and parents.
ICNS has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 1992 and continues to strive for excellence in all areas in order to provide the children with a fun, stimulating, and meaningful experience.
GOALS
- To be a school dedicated to the enrichment and development of its students and their families through parent involvement and mutual support.
- To provide a developmentally appropriate, play based program within a nurturing environment, enabling the children to develop their social, emotional physical and academic skills resulting in a positive and responsible attitude toward learning and life.
OUR TEACHERS
- Donna
- Tanya
- Lana
Donna Schwartze has been the Director/Teacher at ICNS since 1986. She has a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Education from the University of Connecticut. After a variety of jobs and trial occupations, she discovered pre-school and has been happily working with the children and families at ICNS ever since. In addition to pre-school Ms. Donna is an instructor at Irvine Valley College in the Human Development Department. She is also a mentor for practicum students studying to be teachers.
Ms Donna has been married for 36 years to Mike, a plumbing contractor. They have 3 children, who are now in various stages of adulthood and schooling, and though her parenting job is not as intense or demanding now, Ms Donna loves being a parent. Her daughter and 2 sons have taught her lessons in patience, humility, and strength that have been beneficial in her work with the parents and children at ICNS.
Tanya Sutkowi has been with ICNS since 1994. She started as the teacher assistant in the extended day class, and after earning her ECE certificate from Irvine Valley College she is now the teacher of the Pre-K class. Ms Tanya continues to assist Ms Donna in the extended day classes, and enrichment class. Tanya and her husband of 26 years have 2 daughters.
Ms Tanya is a perceptive teacher who enjoys creating a meaningful, play based, and developmentally appropriate program for Pre-K children at ICNS. She is dedicated to not only preparing the children for Kindergarten, but also allowing them to learn important life skills while having fun being preschoolers.
Lana Voyer started at ICNS in the fall of 2004 as the teacher assistant in the Pre-K class. She received her ECE Certificate from Irvine Valley College and plan to transfer to Cal State Fullerton to continue her teacher education. Ms Lana and her husband have 2 sons.
Ms Lana is our expert on outdoor games and gross motor activities, and always makes outside time fun. She is sweet and encouraging with the children and parents.
Six of the staff’s seven children are graduates of ICNS!