These are some resources that we have found helpful. Of course, there are more but these are just some of our suggestions.
BOOKS AND DVDs
How to Choose the Best Preschool for Your Child: The Ultimate Guide to Finding, Getting Into, and Preparing for Nursery School by Jenifer Wana. Discusses criteria to consider, preschool philosophies, preschool readiness skills, and advice for writing application essays (including sample essay) and preparing for child and parent interviews. Provides explanation and advice pertaining to the NYC preschool admissions process. www.preschoolprimer.com.
The Manhattan Directory of Private Nursery Schools, by Victoria Goldman and Marcy Braun. Provides extensive information about more than 150 preschools, including tuition, hours, admissions processes, and educational approaches.
Practical Wisdom for Parents: Raising Self-Confident Children in the Preschool Years by Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum. Written by the directors of the 92nd Street Y nursery school, this book provides advice on raising a preschooler from applying to nursery schools and discipline to naps and playdates.
Nursery University (DVD). Watch this documentary film, created by Marc H. Simon, for a peek inside the world of Manhattan preschool admissions as you follow five families navigating the system and trying to get their children accepted into nursery school.
EDUCATION ADVISORY SERVICES
Smart City Kids – Provides advice and assistance to guide families through the process of finding the right schools for their children and gaining admittance. The company’s mission is to improve each family’s chances of acceptance to the school of their choice by providing expert advice, guidance, and emotional support during the admissions process. Private sessions and small group workshops are available. www.smartcitykids.com. 1619 Third Ave., Suite 1. (212) 249-4066.
PRE SCHOOL DIRECTORY WEBSITES
www.SavvySource.com – Directory of preschools nationwide. Includes comprehensive school profiles and parent reviews.
www.GreatSchools.org – Directory of preschools and K-12 schools in New York City and nationwide.
www.parentsconnect.com – Another good source for preschool information and parent reviews.
ORGANIZATIONS
Parents League – a nonprofit organization for New York City parents that hosts preschool admissions panels and workshops. 115 East 82nd Street (between Park & Lexington). Phone: (212) 737-7385. www.parentsleague.org.
The Independent Schools Admission Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY) – a nonprofit association of more than 125 member preschools and ongoing schools. You can search the database of member schools on its website. www.isaagny.org.
Center for Children’s Initiatives – the leading NYC childcare referral agency. You can call its telephone counselors for information and advice on day cares, toddler programs, and preschools. 322 Eighth Avenue (between 27th & 28th), 4th Floor. Phone: (212) 929-7604. www.centerforchildrensinitiatives.org.