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Business & Tech

Q & A: Peanuts Nursery School Directors Sandy Smith and Anne Cacciola

More than 100 pre-schoolers and their families attend the nursery school.

was established in 1997 by Sandy Smith and Anne Cacciola, good friends and business partners who met in high school and roomed together through college. Smith, who has been working with children for 25 years, has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and is a certified teacher for nursery through sixth grade. Before opening Peanuts, she worked as director of a summer camp and education director of a day care. Cacciola has a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology and sociology. Her 25 years of experience includes co-director/owner at Peanuts, assistant director at a large camp and a camp counselor for emotionally-disturbed children. Today, the school is attended by two- through four-year-old children in its morning and afternoon sessions.

What makes Peanuts Nursery School unique?
Smith: There are many reasons. One, we’re a non-sectarian private school that’s not affiliated with any organization like some of the church- or synagogue-run schools. We celebrate all holidays. Secondly, most of our friendly and caring staff has been with us since we opened the school. We have very little turnover. We pride ourselves on operating a very friendly, very involved safe and secure school. We get to know every child and their families. Our teachers are very patient and funny and they love the kids. We feel our school is more warm and fuzzy than other institutions. One of the best compliments we get is from kindergarten teachers who tell us that our students are the most well-prepared.

How is running a business on Main Street?
Smith: We’ve resided near Farmingdale for most of our lives and we’ve raised our own families here. The residents of Farmingdale are very friendly and everyone knows us. Being on Main Street makes it very handy for us and our parents to get things done. The parents can drop off their children and run up the street for groceries, gifts, and supplies.

Cacciola: Our location allows us to have special events where the families come with grandparents and extended family and friends. For example we have a popular parade at springtime where the children dress up. The girls make their own spring bonnets and the boys make their own ties. The Spring Bunny joins the parade. We march outside our front door on Main Street north and then circle back to our property by the parking lot. At Halloween, we make a huge pumpkin patch outside in our backyard where the kids get to choose pumpkins and play in the hay.

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What is your busiest time of the year?
Cacciola: Right now in February and March we’re very busy with parents who are coming in to visit the school and register for September and for our summer programs. Many like to come and interview us and see our classrooms and teachers.

What will you be changing or adding to the school?
Cacciola: Last year, we had a six week summer program. It went so well that we’re going to offer an eight week program this summer.

What is the most rewarding part of being part of the Farmingdale community?
Smith: The sense of community is such a strong part of Farmingdale. It’s so rewarding for us to see our graduated alumni come back to visit us and their teachers or to see them marching by in the local parades. They love to come back and find their photos on the wall or reminisce with their teachers. They have very fond memories of being here. That’s rewarding for Anne and I.

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