Best Preschools on the Upper West Side

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

Nature inspires art at Columbus Preschool. Photo courtesy of the school

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.

Best Cleaning Robots That Make Household Chores Easier, According to Our Editors

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When Hazelnut the bunny met Sheralonda the cleaning Roomba cleaning robot, it wasn't love at first sight. Photo by Jody Mercier

We tested the top home robots, from the best robot vacuum cleaner to cat litter robots, and here's what we thought.

Home robots can help automate some pretty heinous household chores that make parenting so hard. Anything that makes parenting easier? Sign me up! From robot vacuum cleaners to cat litter sifting robots to automated lawn mowers, there are a lot of home robot helpers out there. But, they can run into big bucks. Are they worth it?

This topic came up in the Mommy Poppins group chat, and we all had some honest truths to share with each other about which household chore robots were worth their weight in gold, and which ones were expensive dust collectors. And what we named our little mechanical helpers. (Because, oddly, most of us have names for the ones we love! Say hello to Poolio Iglesias, for example!)

Discover which robot vacuum cleaners are the best and which surprising home robots will make parenting just a little easier. For more insider parenting tips, check out our Mommy Poppins Parenting Guide.

Atlantic City Aquarium Reopens with New Animals and Attractions

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The Atlantic City Aquarium is a small facility where kids can see aquatic life up close.

The Atlantic City Aquarium reopened in spring 2025 after shuttering for a renovation that began in 2020.  

We took a trip down to see everything the small Jersey Shore seaside attraction has to offer. Is the reworked facility worth a visit, or is it a miss? Read on to learn more about the Atlantic City Aquarium's best attractions and everything you need to know to plan a visit. 

And, if this aquarium happens to spark a new interest in life under the sea, check out our rundown of the best aquariums for your next family vacation. For trip ideas further afield, read our comprehensive Family Travel Guide. 

Where To Eat With Kids Near the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

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Clinton Hall has table games, reasonable prices, and kid-friendly picnic tables to spread out and enjoy a meal following your 9/11 Museum visit. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

Ground Zero in the Financial District has become a must-visit destination for many families visiting NYC. While a visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum with kids may be a somber and challenging experience, there's a lot of value to learning about and honoring such an important event.

If you're looking for some dining options in the area, we've rounded up some restaurants in the immediate vicinity of Ground Zero as well as some picks in nearby Battery Park City. While the neighborhood lunch spots mainly cater to office workers, there are many restaurants and establishments that serve fresh, delicious, and affordable meals and treats.

After your meal, stay and explore the rest of FiDi because this historical neighborhood has emerged in recent years as a great family-friendly destination. Find more fun neighborhoods to explore in our Manhattan Kids Guide and more great family-friendly restaurants in our NYC Kids' Guide to Restaurants.

School Calendars 2025-2026: Start & End Dates for Dallas-Fort Worth Schools

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Get ahead of planning vacations for your students with their official school calendars! Photo courtesy Canva

It's not too soon to start thinking about next year! School calendars for the largest school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for the 2025-2026 school year are below, and you'll want to bookmark the page now for reference—especially when planning family vacations or booking summer camps (you know they'll fill up quickly!). Follow the links for each district below for details on school holidays and semester breaks, as well as to stay up-to-date on any last-minute changes from your local district.

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