YCNS honors the heart of the school

For Maribeth Fay, coming to work each day hardly feels like work at all.

That feeling was on full display Friday as families gathered in the backyard of Yorktown Community Nursery School to celebrate Fay's 20 years as director.

The event was mostly a surprise. While Fay knew something was planned, she didn't know many of her close friends and family members would join the parents, students and staff who came to honor her.

"When most of us think of YCNS, they think of Ms. Maribeth," Board President Alexandra Bucci said. "For the past 20 years, she has served as the heart of this school and for many children in our community, their first teacher."

Founded in 1948, YCNS is the oldest registered cooperative nursery school in New York state. The school was started by 40 parents and continues to be owned and operated by the families of enrolled students. Certified teachers staff the classrooms, while parents assist with tasks such as maintaining the building and repairing equipment.

Earlier this year, YCNS was nominated by Assemblyman Matt Slater and recognized by the Historic Business Preservation Registry, administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The program honors businesses and organizations that have operated for at least 50 years and contributed to their communities.

Fay's connection to YCNS began when her own sons attended the school. Bucci said Fay quickly became involved and grew into a "devoted advocate for the cooperative preschool model."

Throughout the community, Fay has volunteered as a Boy Scout leader, parent-group facilitator and active member of the broader Yorktown community.

"Ms. Maribeth has been a passionate champion of early childhood education, ensuring that every child who walks through the doors of YCNS feels welcomed, loved, and supported," Bucci said. "With her warm smile and caring spirit, she has helped generations of children learn in the way they do best, through play."

Bucci noted that Fay became director in 2005.

"20 years later, we are fortunate to gather here and celebrate her extraordinary impact, whether as a teacher, mentor, colleague, friend, or our very own parenting expert, Ms. Maribeth has touched countless lives and helped shape our community for the better," Bucci said.

To mark the milestone, the community presented Fay with a delicate bouquet and dedicated a playhouse in her honor.

"It's amazing to have a job that you never feel like you're going to work and I don't think a lot of people can say that sometimes," an emotional Fay said. "I truly love coming here."

Fay said the work at YCNS is never done alone and praised the teachers and parent volunteers who help make the school what it is.

"I love being part of this community, and being in a place where we really honor children for who they are, and let them be what they need to be at this age," Fay said.