My First School

MY FIRST SCHOOL:

We are a NYS licensed group family educare service on the Upper West Side of Manhattan near Columbia University. We belong to The Forest School Association of America and offer a Waldorf-style environment in a large, sunny doorman building. We have developed a home school environment that meets all the developmental needs of young children. In this sense, we are much more than our group family-style license was generated to confer.

The children in our care range in age from three months to five years with four teachers. We offer families a community of like-minded friends. Babies are integrated into the activities of the day and are lovingly attended by the older children.

Although our days are artistically infused, both indoors and out, many of the children learn how to read in an informal fashion before leaving for pre-K or kindergarten. Reading, journaling, and bookmaking are our prImary routes to literacy. Math concepts are learned organically, in the same way.

Love of good food and cooking go together in our school. Meals are part of the curriculum where all meals are prepared on-site and children and teachers sit together to enjoy an organic breakfast, lunch, and snack. To help with meals, older children measure and mix spice and herb blends, knead bread, mix and pour batter, learn to follow simple recipes, and set a beautiful table.

In the spring the children as young as a year plant vegetable and flower seeds and raise them under grow lights, which are then taken upstate to be planted in the garden at the school's country house, and the harvest returned to the classroom for our meals. (Families and friends may rent the historic house by the week or month, as well.)

Our director, attended Columbia University and was formerly a fundraiser for mental health projects within the Columbia community. Two of our teachers are licensed nurses who have been with us many years, and there are always two grad students who alternate days according to their class schedules. (The grad students tend to stay in touch even after leaving.). Our current students are majoring in Psychology (Hunter College) and speech pathology (Columbia University Teachers' College).

Families are invited to inquire and visit. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Please see our website at www,myfirstschool.org. and fill out the inquiry page.