Best Preschools on the Upper West Side
When it comes to finding the best preschool in NYC, the family-packed Upper West Side offers plenty of choices. With preschool spots in high demand, it can feel as if you're trying to get your toddler into college!
Take heart, though, great preschools on the Upper West Side are plentiful, so with a little legwork, you'll find the right fit for your family. We're outlining some top Upper West Side preschools below, and we've divided them by type to help you start your search. Don't forget our Preschool Directory is an excellent resource to find more programs as well.
For more help, we've compiled a helpful list of preschool admissions tips, plus 10 questions to ask during a preschool tour.
A quick overview of some of the preschool categories below:
- A traditional preschool follows the NYC public school calendar and runs from September to June, with a curriculum that reflects the school's unique educational mission.
- A year-round school is similar but is in session over the summer months as well.
- Co-op preschools require parents to commit some time to school administration, management, or activities.
- Reggio Emilia and Montessori preschools are both focused on child-directed learning, but you may find you prefer teachers who consider themselves "guides" en route to making the child independent (the Montessori approach), or you may be drawn to Reggio's emphasis on communication and documentation.
- Home-based preschools are run out of a home-like environment, rather than a school, and tend to have small classes and an intimate approach.
- If your family is interested in religious or dual-language preschool instruction, we've also listed a selection of those.
- Remember that some schools fit multiple categories (co-op and Reggio, for example, like Family Annex).
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Places featured in this article:
Kidville Upper Westside
ACT at the Cathedral Church of St. John The Divine
River Park Nursery School
Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Early Childhood Center