Learn with Us

 I am Christine Rinella and have been the  owner/director of the Pumpkin Patch since January 1975.  I am a graduate  of SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in Early Childhood.  My children were  just 5 and 2 when I opened as a small nursery school in the Cohoes,  area  and now 44 years later they are adults all working in the field of  education in Virginia and Alaska.
    Over the years we have grown  from a small nursery school to a full child care program serving  families with children eighteen months to five years. As I am a hands-on  learner I have discovered this is the best way for young child to learn  also.  Discovery through participation, imagination and the ability to  create on their own is the foundation for life-long learning.
    We  even have a garden outside our playground for the children to grow  vegetables. Our lesson plans are based on themes and letter  recognition.  Our room environments allow for free choice play, sensory  discovery, dramatic play, literacy and creative arts.
    Being a  small Center has its advantages.  We are able to connect with our  families thru annual gatherings such as Trunk or Treat, holiday parties,  Mother’s Day dinners and Dogs for Dad.
    With the recent addition  of our new “energy” room we are able to provide the children with gross  motor activities year-round. 
   I invite you to come and visit our Center and see active learning up close and personal.