The Early Years School

Outstanding Pre-​School, Outstanding Directors who have a clear and up-​to-​date understanding of the best practices for early childhood education. You will not find a better place for your child. I jokingly told friends while waiting to find out if my child would be admitted to The Early Years School two decades ago, that if I didn’t get him into the right pre-​school he would never go to Harvard. He did get into The Early Years School, and received a great educational foundation. He is actually starting a
Harvard in the fall. Joy Siegel and Tama Taub are wise, caring directors. I cannot recommend The Early Years School highly enough.

We enrolled our 2 year old daughter in the toddler programs at The Early Years School and Palisades Preschool in mid 2010. She attended each program once per week and frequently my wife and I were both in attendance for the class (one parent must stay for the duration of each class). From the outset we thought our method to evaluate both schools in real time would yield a clear choice for schooling her over the next few years. Not so.
Regardless, this review isn’t a narrative about our evaluation process nor our wonderful experience at Pali Preschool. We are absolutely delighted with our experience at The Early Years School! The program was staffed very well: three dedicated educators; two senior level educators, one is a Marriage and Family Therapist (more on that later) and the other was a warm and musically inclined teacher the children loved, the third was an energetic young teacher who did a great job interacting with the children in the class and play yard. The school is Reggio inspired [as is Pali]. Our interpretation of the Reggio environment is a place that puts structure second to creative play, social interaction and the expression of feelings. We watched our child grow into a more social, thoughtful and musically interested little kid.
Parking can be difficult — there isn’t a parking lot.
The format for our toddler program:
20min open play. Parents and teachers chat while the kids warm up to the environment and play indoors.
20min circle time. Child and parents follow the lead of the teachers in songs. The «Hello…we’re glad you’re here today» song is great — she still sings it 3 months later.
Wash up and go outside for snack.
Balance of class. Snack time is commingled with outdoor play time. Kids usually snack then go bonkers in the play area. Paint and sand activities are a hit. While the kids are playing about 30′ away parents attend circle time (outdoors, in view of the kids playing) with Karen. Karen is the crown jewel of The Early Years School. I’ll say it again because she’s insightful AND very nice. Karen is the crown jewel of The Early Years School. Parents circle is a venue for meaningful social interaction with other parents. Karen often brings a short article to read on a topic such as potty training or bullying and then we chat. The structure is open, allowing for parents to bring up questions or make comments even if they don’t relate to the article. A LOT is shared and learned. When you’re done you feel a bit more ready to take on parenthood than you did before. If you have something to share privately with Karen, she is all ears. I can’t overstate how much my wife and I adore Karen and the parent circle.
From what I understand, parent circle can only take place in toddler programs — it’s not possible in other formats because parents don’t stay for the duration of the class.
We have a younger son and when it’s time for him, we’ll be back at The Early Years (especially if Karen is there).