Nursery

The Nursery Class is made up of 16 children, two Teachers and a Parent Helper. Class is held on Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Students need to be 3 by October 1st.

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In the Nursery class there is an emphasis on becoming acclimated to the school setting and the school schedule including socialization and communicating with peers and adults. This is accomplished through periods of free play, large group meeting time, small group activity time, and outdoor play.  Skills are introduced through both self directed and teacher led activities

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Pre-K

The Pre-K class is made up of 19 children, two Teachers and a Parent Helper.  It is held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9 am to 1 pm.  Children must be 4 by Oct.1st in order to be eligible for this classroom. 

    

In the Pre-K class we continue to emphasize the importance of caring for and respecting each other as individuals while working together as a “team”.  Skills are introduced and reinforced at circle time, and during small group activity time.  There are periods of free play time and outdoor time during which children continue to develop socialization and communication skills.  We do our best to provide the Pre-k students with experiences that will help them succeed in Kindergarten.

Meet our Teachers

Lorraine Cottle

Lorraine Cottle is our Director and the Lead Teacher in our Nursery class.  Lorraine has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Northeastern University.  She has worked in Early Childhood programs since 1980, including Director positions at Easter Seals and Moore Center Services.  She has been the Director of Merri-Loo since 2001.  

         

Lorraine grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  She and her husband moved to Goffstown in 1986.  She has two grown children. 

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Heidi Bourque

Hello my name is Heidi Bourque.  The students at Merri Loo call me Ms. Heidi.  I moved to Goffstown 10 years ago after my family built our home. My husband Mike, son Cameron and daughter Aimee share a home with our dogs, Jewels and Raven, our cats, Thomas and Sammy, our bearded dragons, Roxy and  Yo-Yo and our 4 chickens. 

I attended the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education in addition to a minor in Psychology.  I was also a member of the Girls Track team.  Years later, I decided to go back to graduate school.  I then, received my dual Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and General Special Ed for grades K-8.

Prior to working at Merri Loo, I was a Tobacco/Protect Teen Health Peer Leader and an Alcohol and Drug Educator.  I’ve always loved working with children and teens of all ages.  My hobbies are watching scary movies, going to the gym and attending Zumba classes.  I am also an Assistant Coach for the Goffstown Rec Girls Lacrosse, Goffstown Screamin’ Eagles Cheer and MVMS Track and Field teams.  In addition to coaching, I serve on the GSE Board as the Concessions and Co-Fundraising Coordinator