About BCNS

Philosophy Program Classroom Teachers Board

Our Cooperative Philosophy

Staff & families working together since 1963.

BCNS is a cooperative, which means our parents work together to govern the school, maintain the buildings, and support the staff and program. Parent participation in the classroom is welcomed, but not required.

Thanks to the enthusiasm, dedication and collaboration of its parent community, BCNS has become a local Island treasure, celebrating 50 years in 2013! During this time, over 1,500 families have helped maintain our quaint building and distinctive play yard, which is nestled in the woods near the ferry and the downtown Winslow community. Since 1963, parent volunteers have supported and handed down a program dedicated to “learning through art and play.” Our parents find it very rewarding to work together as stewards of the school.

The cooperative structure is also an exciting opportunity to build community with parents and our wonderful staff. Many special friendships are made among the children and the grown-ups alike!

SEE MEMBER ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES →

READ CURRICULUM DETAILS →

Our Program & Curriculum

Inquiry-based. Exploratory. Child-centered.

While we have overall classroom themes to help interweave the two classes together, each class (Preschool and Pre-K) explores topics and materials specifically designed for their respective developmental levels along the early childhood continuum. Because children are the heart of our curriculum, sometimes classes will redirect to different topics and/or activities based on students' specific interest or inquiries.

We believe that art and play experiences are the best way to promote young children's social, emotional, cognitive, linguistic, and physical (gross and fine motor) development. Authentic learning experiences at group times such as stories, songs, finger plays, and movement exercises help to reinforce the topics explored in the classroom. The Pre-K year adds early reading activities, objective-based math activities, and weekly science lessons that focus on the use of children's five senses. The indoor and outdoor classroom experiences work together harmoniously to develop the foundational skills that children need to be confident, autonomous, lifelong learners.

Children rely on their school experience to be predictable and familiar. Our classroom follows the same daily routine. Once children are established, they feel empowered in their classroom because they know what event will come next.

Our Classroom

Designed for preschoolers to thrive.

At BCNS you will encounter a magical, light-filled space designed especially with preschoolers in mind. The intentional open design of the building, high ceilings, and numerous windows create a special feeling to our space. Each corner of the room is home to an array of items to be joyfully used and explored by our students, each with its own learning intention in mind. These areas continually change so that materials are fresh and exciting to our young learners!

Crayon Table - this station is always available
Art Table - changes daily with numerous process-based art activities
"Clock Table" - changes daily and includes sensory-based and/or fine motor activities
Fine motor table - 6 Montessori-style work stations for children (table toys)
Science Table - Rotates monthly for hands-on observations
Play House - imaginative play abounds (kitchen, farmers market, space ship, veterinary clinic, post office, etc!) - rotates monthly
Blocks - need we say more?
Sensory Table - these rotate monthly (water, rice, beans, etc) and are theme-related
Felt and Magnet Stations - these rotate monthly and are theme-related
Puzzles and Letters Table
Sand Table, Rock Table, Music and Hammering, etc. in the outdoor classroom

Meet Our Teachers

Kaye Bjur

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Teacher Kaye began working at BCNS in 2009 as an assistant teacher and now serves as the school's Administrative Director. She is a strong advocate for the BCNS community as well as our learning culture that emphasizes joyful exploration in the classroom and around the BCNS grounds. Kaye has a degree in business from Wake Forest University. She worked for ten years in the shipping industry before raising a family and moving to Bainbridge Island. She enjoys reading, card games, walking her dog, and spending time with her family.
Kari Wetzler

LEAD TEACHER
Pre-K Class
Teacher Kari is passionate about teaching young children and the BCNS philosophy of learning through art and play. She wants her students to graduate the program with confidence in themselves as individuals, curiosity for new experiences, empathy for others, and a love for learning.
Kari grew up on Bainbridge Island and moved back with her family in 2010. Her daughter is a 2013 BCNS graduate and her twin sons graduated the program in 2016. In addition to her years as the Pre-K lead teacher, she also has ten years of elementary school teaching experience. Kari has a Masters in Literacy Development and endorsements in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Library Science.
Hillary Scheer

LEAD TEACHER
Preschool Class
Teacher Hillary is thrilled to continue her involvement at BCNS, now as Pre-K teacher. She worked as an assistant teacher in 2010-2011. Her youngest son attended BCNS and graduated from the program in 2017, during this time she served as Fundraising Chair and Board President.
Hillary received her BS in Elementary Education from the University of Idaho and M.Ed. - Integrated Teaching Through the Arts from Lesley University. Facilitating a rich learning environment that focuses on learning through the arts and through play is her passion. The magic of teaching young children and working with their parents has drawn her to working with the BCNS community, once again!
Leslie Torres

ASSISTANT TEACHER
Pre-K Class
Teacher Leslie comes back to BCNS as a mom once worried she’d never get her kids out of preschool and into Kindergarten only to find her oldest son heading to college. How did that happen?! She is thrilled to be back in her professional field of choice, by way of a long career in the seafood industry, teaching fourth grade at Wilkes Elementary, and most recently, a passionate stint at our local yarn shop. She is happily married to Alex; the proud mother of Sam and Isaac; and the caretaker of Woolly Feather Farm. When she is not chasing sheep, you will most likely find her knitting.
Sarah Gorfine

ASSISTANT TEACHER
Preschool Class
Teacher Sarah joined the BCNS team in 2021. Once her youngest entered kindergarten, she was ready to start the next chapter of her career. The children of BCNS have brought her so much joy and reignited her passion for early child development. In the classroom, she encourages independence, respect and imagination. Sarah teaches yoga to both classes and creatively inspires her students to breathe, relax, and become more in tune to their bodies.
Sarah received her BA in Sociology from Indiana University. AmeriCorps brought her to the Pacific Northwest where she met her husband. After living in Seattle for over a decade, Sarah and her family moved to Bainbridge Island in 2015. Her two children are both graduates of BCNS, her daughter in 2016 and her son in 2020. She brings 10+ years of experience with all childhood stages in various fields and is excited to be on this journey with BCNS and her students.