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 60 years in 2023! 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 deeply passionate about early childhood education and the BCNS philosophy of learning through art and play. She strives to nurture confidence, curiosity, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning in each of her students. Her goal is for every child to leave BCNS feeling seen, supported, and excited for what comes next.
A Bainbridge Island native, Kari returned to the island with her family in 2010. All three of her children are proud BCNS alumni—her daughter graduated in 2013, followed by her twin sons in 2016.
Kari began teaching Pre-K at BCNS in 2013 and brings a wealth of experience to the classroom. She holds a master’s degree in Literacy Development and has endorsements in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Library Science. In addition to her work at BCNS, Kari also serves as the school librarian at The Island School.
Her thoughtful, play-based approach helps children grow not only as learners, but as kind and confident individuals.
Hillary Scheer

LEAD TEACHER
Preschool Class
Teacher Hillary has been a part of the BCNS community since 2010, when she first joined as an assistant teacher. Over the years, her connection to the school deepened—especially when her youngest son attended BCNS and graduated in 2017. During that time, Hillary was an active parent volunteer, serving as both Fundraising Chair and Board President.
In 2018, she returned to the classroom as a preschool teacher, bringing with her a deep commitment to early childhood education and a love for the BCNS community. Hillary holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Idaho and a Master of Education in Integrated Teaching Through the Arts from Lesley University.
She is passionate about creating a rich, engaging learning environment where children learn through the arts and play. For Hillary, the magic of teaching young children and building connections with their families is what makes teaching at BCNS so special.
Sarah Bell

ASSISTANT TEACHER
Pre-K Class
Teacher Sarah is excited to be a part of the BCNS team. She loves getting to know the individuality of each child, watching them think through problems, and seeing their endless creativity. Both of her children have thrived at BCNS.
Sarah has a degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University, and a Masters in Teaching with an emphasis in Social Justice from the University of Washington. Her teaching endorsements are in Social Studies and English as a Second Language. She taught English as a Second Language for two years in the Mukilteo School District, before staying home full time to care for her two daughters, She grew up in Issaquah, her husband is from Bainbridge Island and they are happy to be settled on this beautiful island.
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.