14Y Preschool

For children, ages 2-5, September - June. Summer programs available June - August.

Preschool Applications
Are Open

Get ready for the 2024/2025 Preschool School Year, September - June.

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At 14Y Preschool, community is at the heart of everything we do.

We believe in nurturing every child’s inherent curiosity and fostering our students as lifelong learners. Our Reggio Emilia approach is guided by Jewish values; we appreciate each child’s unique ability to make the world a better place.
Welcome to 14Y Preschool. You belong here.

Learn more about 14Y Preschool by booking a free in-person tour with our incredible staff. See firsthand why families love being a part of our vibrant and warm community.

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More about 14Y Preschool

14Y Preschool is part of a vibrant downtown community center. Our students have access to our entire modern four-story facility, including our heated, indoor swimming pool, recently refinished gymnasium, professional black box theater, and rooftop playground. Tailored for children ages two to five, our nurturing program offers families flexible scheduling options, after school enrichment classes, and opportunities for family engagement. Through the celebration of Shabbat and holidays, our preschoolers experience the joys of Jewish culture; guided by these values, we are an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome.

 

Our Jewish values build a joyful foundation through which to teach our preschoolers about the importance of gratitude, kindness, and social justice. Our students look forward to celebrating Shabbat each week and to exploring holidays through song, art, and more. Whether participating in our Tkiya music program, making menorahs in our art studio, or visiting our community sukkah on the 14Y roof, our students experience Jewish culture in an accessible, engaging way.

 

14Y is a hub for Downtown’s parenting community. Our preschool hosts a variety of events designed to engage families. From captivating art shows that feature your child’s work to our annual Shabbatikah Hanukkah holiday mashup, we invite parents and caregivers to join us as we create meaningful connections between families and the classroom. Social events like Parents Night Out and Parenting Coffees widen your network and help find your own voice as a parent. 14Y offers a variety of events that build an enduring sense of community for the whole family.

Our Team

Our dedicated preschool team is comprised of expert teachers and trained specialists in movement, arts, and swim instruction. Leadership and faculty have substantial years of experience, and many possess Master’s Degrees from leading educational institutions. The high retention rate among our faculty members reflects their dedication to the program, as well as the genuine warmth and care they bring to the classroom and beyond.

Our Classrooms

We deeply value the role of our classroom in shaping our children’s educational journey. Each sun-filled classroom is designed to foster a Reggio-based curriculum with collaboration among students and teachers. Our high student-to-teacher ratio enables our faculty to prioritize the needs and interests of every preschooler, with classroom art and other materials updated throughout the year to reflect the unique focus and curriculum of each class.

Creative Arts

We nurture our young artists and foster a lifelong appreciation for creative expression. Our dedicated art teacher focuses on developing individual and group projects for students as they explore colors, texture, and materials in the school’s studio space. Every week, our music teacher introduces students to songs from different cultures worldwide, as they discover the impact of melody and rhythm. During our movement classes, children develop fine and gross motor skills through creative movement, yoga, and open play. In addition, preschoolers attend full-scale performances in our 100-seat professional black box theater, experiencing the indelible magic of live entertainment.

Rooftop Outdoor Play

Our roof playground supports holistic development, allowing children to discover the world around them from atop our very own building. The playground climbing structures are tailored to nurture the growth and development of our preschoolers’ gross motor skills in a secure, stimulating environment suited to both independent and structured play. On sunny days, we don’t have to travel far to enjoy all school music time and picnic lunches out in the fresh air. Along with running, climbing, sliding, and pedaling bikes, our preschoolers delight in bringing classroom activities outdoors – such as science, art, and building.

Swimming

One of the greatest benefits of being a preschool within a dynamic community center is access to our heated indoor pool! Students in our full day programs swim as a regular part of their curriculum. 14Y Preschoolers learn the basics of swimming and water safety while building confidence and having fun in the water. Children head to kindergarten adept at floating, breathing underwater, and executing simple swimming strokes.

Extend your preschool day with specialized enrichment courses! Preschool teachers work alongside 14Y’s teaching artists and coaches and offer classes in swim, science, Spanish language, theater, soccer, and ballet. Classes are offered for all age groups, Monday-Friday, following our 3pm dismissal.

Spanish

¡Hola! Aprendamos Español. In our Spanish Enrichment Class, children learn a new language through songs, games, stories, crafts, and more.

Theater

Through playful theater games that fuel the imagination, budding performers  encounter puppetry, storytelling, and basic American Sign Language in Chickenshed’s dynamic workshops.

Soccer

Get the ball rolling! Join Super Soccer Stars, NYC’s most popular soccer development program, right here at the 14Y. Dynamic international coaches work with every student to develop skills, self-confidence, and teamwork in a fun, non-competitive environment.

Ballet

Creative movement encourages self-expression. Young dancers explore stretching, leaping, and improvisational movement, while improving their coordination and gross motor skills in new and exciting ways.

Science

Science- where fun meets learning! Get ready to dive into a world of exciting experiments and tactile adventures. Uncover scientific wonders, in this hands-on course where students will explore textures, sensations and reactions.

 

For families who want to start their child’s 14Y journey at an even younger age, we are here to support you and your baby/toddler. At our new parents meet up, you can share your experiences in a supportive community of parents experiencing similar joys and challenges.

As your child grows, our offerings will simulate your baby’s senses and promote their development with exciting new activities. And Prelude to Preschool emphasizes gradual independence as your toddler prepares to become a preschooler. Our early childhood options are especially popular with younger siblings!

If you’d like to apply for the next school year (2024–2025), your child must be two by the time they join our school. Click here to apply.

For more information about the 14th Street Y Preschool and Prelude to Preschool programs, please reach out to us here, or contact  Catherine Wenglowski, Admissions Manger for Early Childhood Programs, at CWenglowski@14StreetY.org.

 

What our families say about 14Y Preschool!

Enrollment Option Times 14Y Member Rate
2024/2025 School Year
Non-Member Rate
2024/2025 School Year
2’s: 2 Days 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM $15,390 $17,100
2’s: 2 Days 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM $16,380 $18,200
2’s: 3 Days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM $23,175 $25,750
2’s: 3 Days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM $24,750 $27,500
2’s, 3’s and 4’s: 5 Days (Monday – Friday) 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM $27,540 $30,600
2’s, 3’s and 4’s: 5 Days (Monday – Friday) 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM $30,150 $33,500
Early Drop-off | 2’s, 3’s and 4’s: 5 Days (Monday – Friday) 8:15 AM – 9:00 AM $2,295 $2,550
Extended Care | 2’s, 3’s and 4’s: 5 Days (Monday – Friday) 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM $6,255 $6,950

Flexible Hours

In addition to chosing our full or half day program, Preschool families have the option of enrolling in early drop-off at 8:15 AM, add-on enrichment classes from 3:15 – 4:15 PM, and an extended care option from 3:00 – 5:00 PM.


Financial Aid

Financial aid is available, according to demonstrated need. Applications will be available by request.

Please reach out to Julia Massey, Associate Director of Early Childhood Operations, at 646-395-4338 or email JMassey@14streety.org.

Our Staff and Educators

Meet our dedicated preschool team.

Meet Our Team

Ongoing School Placement

Supporting families throughout the Kindergarten admissions process.

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Questions?

Our staff is available to answer questions.

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Prelude to Preschool

Help your toddler prepare for preschool. 

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