French Preschools in Brooklyn

1. Smith Street Maternelle – Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Brooklyn Heights

2-4 years
Grounded in the fundamentals of progressive education and experiential learning, Smith Street Maternelle offers French immersion preschool through kindergarten across three Brooklyn campuses. Kids with any level of French language proficiency are welcome, including those without prior exposure. Summer camp is also available.

2. French for Little Ones – Greenpoint

2½-4 years
Children at FFLO are taught using a curriculum based on French Education Nationale. French-speaking teachers ensure kids learn autonomy and life skills, as well as a foundation in oral and written French. Note that for the 4's program, kids must be 3 years and 10 months old, and have a year of prior French immersion experience or be native French speakers. The school also offers an immersion after-school program for older kids ages 4-8 in partnership with Play Kids Greenpoint.

3. The Language and Laughter Studio – Boerum Hill, Clinton Hill

1-5 years
At LLS, children are exposed to French through play, with a curriculum that incorporates art, stories, and music into learning. Students are also taught about different cultures in an inclusive, French-speaking environment. There are additional language classes for kids from 6 months to 12 years and a summer camp. With the opening of its new space in Clinton Hill, LLS has nearly doubled its size, allowing even more kids to enter its immersion programs.

Spanish Preschools in Brooklyn

4. C'E Montessori – Williamsburg

2-5 years
All classes at this Montessori preschool are taught by fluent Spanish speakers who teach in both languages. Children are given the freedom to learn on their own and the guidance to develop knowledge and skills. Classes are taught in mixed-age groups and students are given meaningful roles in their classrooms, whether helping younger classmates or caring for their space. C'E has programming or kids through to 12 years old, so your child can grow along with the program.

5. Juguemos a Cantar – Park Slope

18 months-5 years
This escuelita, or little school, provides a total immersion experience. All classes are taught in Spanish, and small groups and teacher-led instruction encourage kids to learn through play and real-life experiences. The school uses a nature-based approach, and as much time as possible each day is spent outdoors, giving kids plenty of opportunities to play, learn, and experience the nature around them.

6. Paché Montessori – Cobble Hill

1-4 years
The name Paché comes from the Latin word for "peace," and the school is led by this principle. Paché strives to create an immersive Montessori environment with native Spanish-speaking teachers who only speak Spanish with the kids (and among themselves). While the immersion class is offered only for kids ages 1-4, it has programs for kids from 3 months to 6 years. Younger students can be integrated into immersion classrooms slowly, while older kids receive English education for writing and speaking.

German Preschools in Brooklyn

7. KinderHaus – Park Slope

1-5 years
This preschool combines European and American classroom models in NYC's first German immersion preschool. The school boasts teachers with master's degrees and the curriculum is inquiry-based. Students are encouraged to communicate with each other and their teachers in German, while pursuing areas of learning that interest them. The outdoor backyard space and garden ensure children enjoy fresh air and nature.

8. Wurzelkinder – Prospect Heights

2-5 years
Wurzelkinder is a fully immersive Brooklyn preschool, taught entirely in German by teachers who were educated in Germany. The school strongly emphasizes a MINT curriculum, known in the US as STEM. This includes a foundation in math and science, all taught in German. Despite the rigors of the curriculum, classrooms at this Brooklyn dual-language preschool are meant to feel like a family and help foster personal and social growth in all its students.

Preschools in Brooklyn Offering Multiple Languages

9. Atelier de la Casa – Greenpoint, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Gowanus

French and Spanish
2-6 years
This Montessori-style preschool has tiny class sizes, with one teacher for every 3-6 kids. This tiny class size means each child gets individualized attention. Classes are taught in English, but students receive at least an hour of exposure to French, Spanish, or both.

10. Brooklyn Global Prep – Williamsburg

French & Mandarin
3-12 years
Classes at this preschool are taught using the Reggio approach, which is a more open-ended and even more student-led style than Montessori. Students are taught in Mandarin Chinese or French, and children's interests and questions guide the direction of each instructional period. The school integrates art and music into its classrooms, as well as a gorgeous indoor garden and playspace. Programs at this space are offered to kids as young as 6 weeks (in partnership with their parents, of course).

Originally published in 2016.