Time, and how children and adults use it, is central to the Reggio philosophy. The rhythm and pace of the child are always given overriding importance. This means really having time for children's ideas and giving value to their work, their conversations and their feelings by slowing down to listen to them.
Fast Facts
The Family Annex Nursery School was incorporated as a parent cooperative in 1982. Our school is an independent, not-for-profit, and nonsectarian early childhood school located on West 113th Street and Broadway. At Family Annex we welcome all family structures as well as families from all racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive collective that is reflective of our international community. We believe that in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment children learn best about each other and the world. We look forward to welcoming you to our community!
What sets the Family Annex apart?
Reggio Emilia philosophy and curriculum that is tailored to the unique interests of the children each year
Experienced teachers, almost all of whom have Master’s degrees or are working towards them
Prestigious certification from the National Association for the Education of Young Children
Columbia University affiliation providing additional resources and oversight
Academic year spanning from September through July
Affordable tuition relative to peer schools
Reggio Emilia Philosophy
We have adapted the Reggio Emilia philosophy – a highly respected approach that originated in the late 1940’s. Teachers and children collaborate on research projects. Teachers further encourage children to test their hypotheses through the use of materials, which in Reggio Emilia is considered “the hundred languages of children.” The curriculum changes each year with an eye on becoming curious and independent learners while also preparing children to enter the big world of kindergarten. This is an approach that encourages children to work together, challenge each other’s ideas and learn and grow through these interactions.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
As a staff, we are committed to anti-racist education for our students and the belief that Black Lives Matter. For the past three years, we have engaged in dialogue about race and equity, and how we can bring anti-racist work into our classrooms. We feel it is of vital importance that these conversations take place now while the children are young, so we can empower them to confront injustice and imagine a safer future for all people.
Research has indicated that very young children are aware of differences related to color, and may develop biases if conversations about race are avoided. We feel it is time for us, as adults, to talk about how we can best support our children in ending racism. We want to talk in a way that is developmentally appropriate, both answering children’s questions and working proactively to model anti-racist behaviors for them.
Teachers are engaging in ongoing reading and discussion in an effort to better understand the historical context of racism in the United States, as well as reflect on our own implicit biases in order to implement teaching practices that are supportive of all children. We are partnering with families in this work to build a community that encourages dialogue around differences and supports the conversation surrounding anti-bias issues.
Classes and class sizes
We have three classes.
· The “toddlers” or two’s class has 11 children, between the ages of 19 months and 2 years 7 months at the start of the schoolyear. There are 2 teachers between 8 A.M. and 9 A.M. and 3 teachers from 9 A.M. through 4 P.M. From 4 P.M. through dismissal at 5:45 P.M. there are again 2 teachers with 7-8 children.
· The “nursery” or three’s class has 14 children, between 2 years 8 months and 3 years 8 months at the start of the schoolyear, with 3 teachers.
· The “pre-k” or four’s class has 14 children, between 3 years 8 months and 4 years 8 months at the start of the schoolyear, with 3 teachers.
Professional Team
We have a comprehensive team of professional teachers, who have extensive experience in working with children. The team includes:
1 Director
12 Teachers, most with BA and Master's Degrees
Studio: is led by a classroom teacher who serves a dual role which includes classroom and atelierista
Music: is led once a week by a classroom teacher who is also a professional musician; classroom teachers also incorporate music and movement into the curriculum daily
Read more about our teachers.
Enrollment and Schedule
Teachers return the last week in August and begin their home visits that week. The children begin school the day after Labor Day, on a modified schedule, and we are open through the last Thursday in July.
We open at 8:00 A.M. and our last pick up is 5:45 P.M. We offer three different schedules and all are Monday through Friday. We offer 8-12:45, 8-3:30 and 8-5:45. We roughly follow the NYC Dept. of Education calendar in terms of holidays.
Do you offer any special activities?
We have a professional musician work with the children once per week in all rooms to sing and do music and movement in each classroom. The teachers also include music and movement in their curriculum.
We have a studio on our second floor that serves all of the children in the school. We have two studio teachers who work with small groups (4 children) and present various materials, such as clay, wire, painting, etc. to encourage children to demonstrate their theories and knowledge through the arts.
How often do the children go out and where do they go?
The children go out daily, even in rainy and snowy weather (unless there are extreme weather conditions). The children can enjoy planting, climbing and water play in the school’s backyard and we also make use of our neighborhood by taking children to the campus at Columbia University, the park on our block, Riverside parks, and visiting the area next to St. John the Divine.
All children go out for approximately one hour each morning, and children who remain for the last pick up go out again in the afternoon for one hour.
What is your application process like?
We begin accepting applications the day after Labor Day for the following school year. Columbia affiliated families and legacy families are eligible for early notification dates as per the ISAAGNY calendar that can be found online. Financial applications, if filed, must be prior to the acceptance dates so your offer can include financial assistance where appropriate.
Financial assistance applications are submitted directly to Smart Tuition, where your assets and liabilities will be looked at to determine need. The school will do their best through fundraising and grants to meet some financial assistance needs, but we try to ensure that whatever monies are distributed is given to as many families as possible.
Once you have applied, the admissions director will reach out to schedule a tour. At a later date children are invited in with a family member to have a play date. Those seeking early admissions will receive an earlier play date. General admissions will be scheduled for a play date prior to the ISAAGNY decision date.
Where do children go and how are they prepared when they leave Family Annex?
Children are accepted into a variety of private schools, mostly on the Upper West Side, as well as admission into Hunter, G&T programs and Dual Language programs in public schools.
The children’s rich experiences prepare them in an organic way to be able to handle letters, numbers and concepts they will need in kindergarten.
What does being a “cooperative” mean in terms of parent participation?
Parents are invited to join the various committees we have at Family Annex based upon their interests and area of expertise. It is expected that each parent who joins a committee will serve approximately 12 hours per year working on their selected committee.
Tuition & Fees