For those of you who missed this wonderful teleclass, generously sponsored by NY Kids Club and presented by NYC PEAS (Private Education Advisory Service), here is a link to the taped class on navigating the nursery school admissions process in New York.
Vimmi and Jennifer of NYC PEAS provided some key tips during the teleclass that we’d like to share with you.
Nursery Schools: Is it a good fit?
The Director: the director is one of the most important people with whom you will work throughout your preschool years. S/he will welcome you to the school and help you with the ex-missions process to ongoing schools. It is very important that this is a person with whom you can connect and work. Did s/he seem approachable? Could you see him/ her interacting with your child? If the answer is NO to either of these, no matter the school’s name and reputation, please rethink your choice…
The School’s Physical Space: Make sure the physical space of the school is a place that fits your needs. Create a ‘wish list’ of items/facilities that you wish to see in a school. Your list should be realistic and flexible. Prioritize each item. For example, if an outdoor space is important to you and the school doesn’t have one, you might consider removing that school from your list.
The Students: One of the most important observations a parent can make during the preschool tours is the appearance of the children in their classrooms. Do they seem happy? Are they engaged in their respective activities? Bottom line: Does this seem like a happy place where you can envision your child?
The Teachers: They are the ‘heart’ of the school. Do they seem warm and approachable? What are their credentials? What are their prior experiences with children? Do they have control of the class?
Values: Important values such as diversity, community service, and ethics should be noted. Whatever your family values are, make sure they are compatible with the school’s values. For example, is it a religious based school or a non-sectarian one?
Ex-missions: If a private ongoing school is the path that you wish to pursue for your child’s education then it is crucial to review the ex-missions process of the preschool to which you are applying. For example, does the school offer onsite ERB testing?
These factors, along with your wish list, should enable you to make a more educated decision about the right preschool for your family.
Good Luck!
The NY Kids Club Early Enrichment Center offers preschool programs for children 2, 3 and 4 years old. All programs incorporate classroom time for art, music, math, science and literacy activities, and gym time, where children participate in gymnastics and sports classes in our state-of-the-art gymnasium, which features soft play mats, tunnels, a balance beam, uneven and parallel bars, trampoline, and more. Instilling a sense of love for school and learning is at the heart of the NY Kids Club Enrichment Center. Children develop a sense of autonomy, a sense of independence, self-esteem, curiosity and ability to ask questions, and the confidence to generate ideas. Admission for NY Kids Club preschool programs is on a rolling basis, and registration is now being accepted for the three new locations – Tribeca, Park Slope, and Williamsburg – scheduled for opening this summer. Limited spaces are still available at the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Gramercy Park, Battery Park, and Brooklyn Heights locations. Visit us online at nykidsclub.com.
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