Our History
Founded by Margaret Matthews-Flinsch in 1929, Princeton Nursery School has been laying the groundwork for brighter futures for children and families by offering affordable, high-quality child care and an excellent early childhood experience for nearly a century.
Established in 1929, Princeton Nursery School was created to support working mothers in the formerly segregated Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood who were the backbone of local industry—mothers who had to choose between the income they so desperately needed and the care of their children during working hours.
Nearly a century later, that founding purpose remains at the heart of our work. Princeton Nursery School continues to provide high-quality early childhood education while supporting the stability and well-being of working families.
Today, our Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the school which serves children and families in Mercer, Middlesex and surrounding counties. Multicultural from its inception, our diverse student population reflects the community of which we are proud to be a part. Certified teachers support the development of the whole child through an engaging research-based and play-based curriculum.
By offering a robust, developmentally enriching program at reduced rates, PNS ensures that children gain the skills necessary for long-term success, while parents pursue work or education with stability and peace of mind.
As we continue our mission to uplift access to quality childhood education, we know that supportive services and wraparound care are an essential part of that structure. We’re currently implementing supportive services like Rent & Mortgage Assistance, Food Insecurity Relief, Adult Education opportunities like ESL, GED, & Drivers Ed courses.
We know that these services and the support they give families are what help propel career changes, economic mobility, and create a community dedicated to the youngest generations by serving not only them, but their families.
This also means that as state subsidies and the cost of childcare rises, we know that childcare is a vital infrastructure to the state and its economy.
Check out our advocacy page for more information.
