Summary

Contact Info

92nd Street YM-YWHA Nursery School
1395 Lexington Avenue
New York , NY 10128
www.92Y.org

Tel: (212) 415-5532
Fax: (212) 415-5410

Director: Nancy Schulman

Admissions Director:
Marcia Thaler

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.)

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

December 6

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

175

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 6 months

Extended day

No

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Allen-Stevenson, Brearley, Columbia Grammar, Dalton, Ethical Culture, Horace Mann, Nightingale Bamford, Ramaz, Riverdale, Spence, etc

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 8

Savvy Source survey: Yes

Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:

Temple Emanu-El Nursery School and Kindergarten
Park Avenue Synagogue Early Childhood Center
Central Synagogue May Family Nursery School
All Souls School
JCC Early Childhood Center

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

175

Established

1938

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Located close to public transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year

Yes

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

Yes

Other Memberships

The school is a member of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY).

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.5)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Since the Y Nursery School is part of the larger institution, there are opportunities for the students to interact with other patrons of the Y (for ex, senior citizens) and/or to take advantage of the cultural programming (ex: attending concerts). Great opportunities to broaden the children's world view and understanding of their place in the world!! And fun!!

Parent #2
I was very impressed with the professionalism of all the staff. The director, the administration and the teachers each seem genuinely happy to be there and are exceedingly helpful. They help to make the experience great.

Parent #3
It is a wonderful preschool. The strength is the combination of amazing, caring and nurturing teachers with an extremely dynamic educational program.

Parent #4
The 92nd Street Y greatest strength is the dedication of the staff, both the directors and teachers. It's a very loyal group of people.

Parent #5
The major weakness of our nursery school is the waiting and crowding at the elevators every morning. It is very disconcerting to the children.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

"Since 1938, the 92nd Street Y Nursery School has provided a warm and creative atmosphere to foster young children's imagination, curiosity and intellect. Our program facilitates children's social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth through a curriculum attuned to the individual child's unique pattern of development. We believe children learn best in a clearly structured program, which emphasizes creative expression through 'hands on' experiences, provides opportunities for play and encourages respect for others. It is our goal to build children's self-esteem so they may develop the confidence to fulfill their potential." (SOURCE: www.92Y.org web-site on 3/06)

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Director has not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.2)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

Awareness of others’ feelings

Cooperation with other children

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language					YES
Oral language	-	-	-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-	-	-	n/a
Storybook reading	-	-	-	-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-	-	-	-	n/a

Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense	-	-	-	-	YES
Time & space	-	-	-	-	-
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-	-	-	-
Music	-	-	-	-	-

Visual arts	-	-	-	-	-
Physical activity	-	-	-	-	YES

Other subjects taught					n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Physical activity also takes place with a teacher.

Parent #2
There are periods of structured free play and periods of teacher-led circle time each day. I love that the children always have an outdoor play period. When it snows, they wear snow pants. There is a covered play area for rain. There was attention to the alphabet with the letter of the week throughout the year (4 year olds). There were also different mini-modules of study, including medieval times. Art instruction was within the classroom, and they used many concepts and materials. There is a lot of music, with both a music teacher and songs within each class.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.4)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Each of the teachers and specialists (science, music, movement) was engaged and very caring. They offered good observations and advice.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.6)

Conducts an open house at start of school year

Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year

Conducts regular parent teacher conferences

Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year

Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year

Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

Separation

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.5)

Parents:

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- Fundraise

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)

- Encourage play dates out of school

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Voice Mail

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Teacher also called me if there was something to communicate to me

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.3)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.7)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

Medications

- We keep their medication on hand at all times

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.5)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Prescreening for criminal records

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 4 years to 5 years		Mon 9am - 2pm Tue 9am - 2pm Wed 9am - 2pm Thu 9am - 2pm Fri 9am - 2pm	$18900/Year
From 3 years to --		Mon 9am - 12pm Tue 9am - 12pm Wed 9am - 12pm Thu 9am - 12pm Fri 9am - 12pm	$15400/Year
From 2 years to --		Mon 9am - 12pm Wed 9am - 12pm Fri 9am - 12pm	$11000/Year
From 2 years to --		Tue 9am - 12pm Thu 9am - 12pm	$9500/Year

Extended Care

- This school does not have extended care

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.)

There is a wait list for upcoming school year.

Parent visits tours are: Mandatory (in order to receive application)

Child interview process: Required for all applicants and takes the form of small group setting

Parent interview process: None

Deadline for applications: December 6

Application fee: $50

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective

Notification occurs: March 7th

Deposit required:

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 6 months to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Inquiries accepted from September 5 onwards.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Allen-Stevenson, Brearley, Columbia Grammar, Dalton, Ethical Culture, Horace Mann, Nightingale Bamford, Ramaz, Riverdale, Spence, etc

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
Made sure that my daughter/son had a good interview.

Parent #2
Contacted influential people.

Parent #3
I'm not sure. We did make it clear that this school was our first choice for our child.