Preschools, Nursery Schools, and Pre-K Programs in Manhattan

UPDATED January 2020: Start your search for the top preschools, nursery schools, and pre-K programs in Manhattan. See the full list of early childhood classes here.

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Bet Torah Nursery School programs are designed to promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth of each child through a child-centered curriculum with an emphasis on Jewish values. An outstanding, nurturing, and creative staff strives to provide opportunities for children to learn through play each day. The curriculum includes regularly scheduled visits by music, sign language, science, and movement specialists. Bet Torah Nursery School registration continues for the 2018-2019 school year for our Kitah Katan 18 months-old toddler separation program as well as for our 2s, 3s, and 4s classes.

BLUE SCHOOL
Pre-primary and Primary School, 241 Water St., Manhattan
212-228-6341
Upper-primary and Middle School
156 William St.

Blue School is an independent school for children ages 2 through eighth grade where academic mastery, creative thinking, self and social intelligence are dynamically balanced to instill a lifelong passion for learning. The campus in lower Manhattan is full of thoughtful classrooms, lab spaces for studio art, STEAM, science, music, and drama, as well as a gymnasium, wonder room, and outdoor roof and terrace. Blue School values exploration, play, creativity, self-awareness, family, and community connection. Our inquiry-driven approach makes space for bold collaboration and rich project work.

BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF NEW YORK (THE)
20 Waterside Plaza,
212-481-2700 x204
Email admissions@bis-ny.org

BIS-NY offers a global education which encourages critical thinking and problem solving through which children gain confidence to ask questions, and to take risks in a nurturing environment where they are both stretched and supported. With a focus on encouraging early literacy and numeracy, even our youngest also enjoy French or Spanish, drama, music, swimming, and art every week. It’s a tested approach to learning that promotes success and independence, preparing all our children academically, socially, and emotionally-ready for the wonder of the world that lies ahead.

CALHOUN SCHOOL (THE)
433 West End Ave., Manhattan
Main Building
third-12th grades
433 West End Ave.
212-497-6500

Robert L. Beir Lower School Building
2.8 years-second grade
160 West 74th St.
212-497-6550

Calhoun’s preschool is a place where children take their first steps to becoming lifelong learners. Preschoolers at Calhoun learn to build, create, communicate, and collaborate as community members. Within the safety and structure of their school day, our youngest scholars receive a strong foundation for their future academic pursuits.

CATHEDRAL SCHOOL PRESCHOOL (THE)
319 E. 74th St., New York
212-249-2840
Email info@cathedralschoolny.org

The Cathedral School Preschool program is focused on the whole child. Through positive experiences in our classrooms, children gain confidence and comfort in a school setting enabling them to discover the joys of learning, exploring, and working within a classroom community and beyond. We believe that creating a positive classroom experience while building a collaborative relationship with each family is key to ensuring a child will succeed and flourish. Students’ days are filled with art, music, movement, and foreign language! Our youngest learners enjoy new experiences while becoming increasingly independent.

CONGREGATION OR ZARUA
127 E. 82nd St.,
212-452-2310 x15, Sigal Hirsch
Email shirsch@orzarua.org

At Or Zarua's Hebrew School, on Manhattans Upper East Side, children connect with Jewish heritage, gaining knowledge and skills through Hebrew language, text study, ritual, and prayer. Students of all ages learn and laugh with friends and teachers as they build a Jewish community of their own.

CREATIVE STEPS EARLY CARE & EDUCATION CENTER
4 Washington Square Village , New York
212-982-2273
Email creativesteps@universitysettlement.org

Creative Steps, a program of University Settlement, offers a nurturing and culturally diverse community for children and families. Our child-centered, play-based program provides hands-on experiences and an opportunity for children ages 12 months-4 years to initiate and direct their own learning. Early drop-off, after-school, and summer programs available.

ÉCOLE (THE)
111 E. 22nd St., New York
646-410-2238, for open houses 646-582-9941
Email bonjour@theecole.org

The École, formerly École Internationale de New York, is an intimate and independent French-American school that cultivates an internationally-minded community of students. From Maternelle to middle school, we blend the best of the French and American educational systems, gifting our students with deep academic bi-literacy and an optimistic, multi-cultural perspective.

EPIPHANY COMMUNITY NURSERY SCHOOL
510 E. 74th St., New York
212-737-2977

Since 1975, the core philosophy of ECNS centers on positive self-image, curiosity, strong educational curriculum, creativity, and independence. Bright, spacious classrooms are filled with books, toys, and manipulatives, to facilitate cognitive growth. With a private rooftop playground, large indoor playroom, and fully equipped gym, there is plenty of room to play.

EPIPHANY SCHOOL (THE)
Gramercy, Murray Hill,
Early Childhood Center:
152 E. 29th St.
212-725-7220
Lower School:
234 E. 22nd St.
212-473-4128
Upper School:
141 E. 28th St.
212-725-7220

Email admissions@theepiphanyschool.org

Early Childhood classes at The Epiphany School utilize art, music, movement, learning centers, and socialization activities to support the growth of each child's cognitive, linguistic, physical, and social emotional skills. Low teacher-student ratios, bright, colorful classrooms, and outdoor play space provide students an inviting, comfortable environment to begin their educational journey.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NURSERY SCHOOL
12 W. 12th St., New York
212-691-3432

First Presbyterian Church Nursery School was founded in 1952 in Greenwich Village. Our school offers a non-sectarian program, welcoming children and families of all configurations, religions, races, cultures, and economic backgrounds. FPCNS is dedicated to the development of the whole child in a warm and nurturing environment.

GILLEN BREWER SCHOOL
410 E. 92nd St., New York
212-831-3667
Email julian@gillenbrewer.com

Gillen Brewer School is a family-oriented, 12-month, early childhood and elementary program for children ages 2.8-10 years with language-based and non-verbal learning disabilities. We provide an integrated, developmentally-appropriate, academic-therapeutic program that includes speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling. Our curriculum is enriched with arts, music, science, and physical fitness programs.

GREEN VALE SCHOOL (THE)
250 Valentine's Lane, Old Brookville
516-621-2420

Green Vale is Long Island's premier and largest coed, independent elementary school for pre-nursery through eighth grade. A program of exceptional academics and small class sizes is combined with emphasis on athletics, visual and performing arts, and character education at every grade level.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL
419 E. 13th St.,
212-475-2590
Email info@immaculateconceptionschoolnyc.org

Immaculate Conception School is dedicated to achieving excellence in learning. From pre-K3 and UPK, through eighth grade, we provide a caring, well-run, high-performance foundation for children of all faiths and cultures. Well-equipped classrooms offer technological innovations in learning and committed educators create a safe and inspiring environment in which to grow.

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF NEW YORK
4 E. 90th St. , New York
212-641-0260
Email info@ianyc.org

The International Academy of New York is multi-cultural and diverse, developing culturally astute, confident, and empathetic students with fluency in Mandarin or Spanish, while excelling in literacy, math, and the arts. Pre-nursery (2s)-eighth grade.

JCC OF MID-WESTCHESTER
999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale
914-472-3300
Caryn Symons, director of camping
symonsc@jccmw.org

The JCC of Mid-Westchester offers classes in its nursery school for children ages 2-5. Ages 3-5 enjoy swimming in our indoor heated pool, working off energy in our gymnasium, climbing in our playground, and performing skits in our Bendheim Theatre. We offer a variety of sports, dance, and academic enrichment programs.

LYCÉE FRANÇAIS DE NEW YORK
505 E. 75th St., New York
212-369-1400

Get an early start on your child's bilingual education at one of the most renowned bilingual schools in New York City. In fall 2019, the Lycée opens its new full-day bilingual Nursery-3s program. Non-French speakers are welcome in this authentic, immersive program that combines play with structured activities, using real-world projects to engage children in the community. Bilingual aftercare also offered. Register for the Lycée's fall preschool open houses for nursery, pre-K, and kindergarten and take the first steps to prepare your child for an extraordinarily international life.

LYCEUM KENNEDY FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL
Manhattan 225 Campus (Lower School)
225 E. 43rd St.
212-681-1877

Ardsley Campus (Lower School)
1 Cross Road, Ardsley
914-479-0722

Manhattan 815 Campus (Middle and Upper School)
815 Second Ave.
New York, NY 10017
212-661-1916

Lyceum Kennedys preschool program provides children with a unique bilingual experience. Our curriculum follows the complete program from the French Ministry of Education and the New York State Education Department. Through activities that challenge and captivate young minds, we instill a lifelong desire to learn.

MARYEL SCHOOL OF NEW YORK
28 E. 35th St., New York
212-213-2097

Maryel School of New York is an independent, bilingual English/Spanish school, educating children from nursery-fifth grade. Maryel is a harmonious combination of the educational system of the United States and Europe. With a rigorous, challenging education, Maryel incorporates all forms of critical thinking and inspires a lifelong love of learning.

MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL (THE)
347 E. 55th St., Sutton Place , Manhattan
212-223-4630

Children explore academic dimensions at their own pace and interest level. Classes are equipped with didactic Montessori materials that encourage absorption of concepts through play, leading children to become well-rounded and confident. Program includes science, music, foreign language, musical theatre, swimming, dance, yoga, chess, cultural events, and robotics.

PUSTEBLUME INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS
244 W. 14th St., New York
212-206-1137
Email info@pusteblumenyc.org

Pusteblume International Preschool provides children with a fun and community-oriented multicultural environment. Our preschool program welcomes families with children from ages 2-5 of all international backgrounds who are interested in having their child learn German, Spanish, or both, in a language immersion classroom.

RED BALLOON EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER (THE)
560 Riverside Drive, New York
212-663-9006
Email director@redballoonlearningcenter.org

We offer an 8am-6pm, year-round, Pre-K program (ages 2-5) in West Harlem in a Columbia University residential building. The Red Balloon is rich in diversity. Each child is encouraged to express their individuality. Intellectual curiosity, creative risk-taking, and problem-solving are encouraged. Our emerging curriculum is play-based, exploratory, and child centered.

SARA CURRY DAY SCHOOL
93 St. Marks Place ,
212-777-9774
Email saracurryschool@aol.com

Children in The Sara Curry Day School are focused, relaxed, communicative, and engaged. This is done through emotional education, and self-directed learning. They learn to reflect on their feelings before they act, and to understand the feelings of others. Conflict is an opportunity to discuss feelings, recognize patterns, and find communal solutions. In self-directed learning children learn what motivates and excites them. Projects do not come from the top down, but from children’s ideas. Children grow to be fulfilled as individuals and as unique and important members of the group.

SMARTER TODDLER NURSERY & PRESCHOOL
101 John St., Manhattan
212-766-3222

Smarter Toddler is a warm, community-oriented learning environment with curriculum geared toward the growth of the "whole child." Smarter Toddler's uniqueness lies in their mission, which is an enhanced-quality childcare program through cultural experiences and the arts.

TRIBECA COMMUNITY SCHOOL
22 Ericsson Place,
212-226-9070
Email info@tribecacommunityschool.com

TriBeCa Community School is a preschool for ages 2-5 inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. We are located in Tribeca and offer half- and extended-day programs. We believe that children are born with a natural curiosity about the world, and that cultivating this curiosity is the key to successful lifelong learning.

WETHERBY–PEMBRIDGE SCHOOL
7 E. 96th St.,
646-213-3400
Ages:3-14

Email info@wetherbypembridge.org

A British independent school for ages 3-14, our school vision is to awaken curiosity, cultivate high standards, and celebrate successes. Our curriculum is based on the rigorous English National Curriculum and combines the merits of single-sex and coeducation, infused with our three school values of respect, responsibility, and resilience.