Program overview

Our school is located in a brownstone on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We have three classrooms, each of which is located on one of our floors, alongside our Studio space. The children at Family Annex follow an emergent curriculum co-created by them and their teachers.

Mission statement

To create an inclusive and diverse community that fosters a nurturing and collaborative environment, celebrates individuality, and promotes self-confidence, independence, and creativity.

Reggio Emilia Philosophy

We have adapted the Reggio Emilia philosophy – a highly respected approach that originated in Italy 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.

What sets the Family Annex apart?

  • Reggio Emilia philosophy and emergent curriculum, 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, which provides additional resources and oversight

  • 11-month school year spanning from September through July

  • Affordable tuition relative to peer schools

Classes and class sizes

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 school year. Throughout the day, there are between two and four teachers working with the 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 school year. Throughout the day, there are either two or three teachers working with the children.

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 school year. Throughout the day, there are either two or three teachers working with the children.

Schedules

Children can attend Family Annex with a choice of three different schedules:

  • M-F from 8am-12:45pm

  • M-F from 8am-3:30pm

  • M-F from 8am-5:45pm

Professional team

We have a comprehensive team of professional teachers, who have extensive experience in working with children. The team includes:

1 Director

1 Administrative assistant/floater teacher

10 Teachers, most with Bachelor’s and Master's Degrees

Studio is led by our atelierista who doubles as a classroom teacher

Music is led daily by classroom teachers and once a week by a professional musician who comes in to work with each class on music and movement.

Read more about our teachers.

Daily schedule

  • Morning arrivals are a critical time for socialization between the children and their teachers as they will engage with one another, and the materials and provocations that have been intentionally presented to them. Provocations are offered to provoke interests, thinking, collaboration, creativity, and much more! There are at least five provocations set up in the different areas of the classroom each day.

    a morning provocation is an open-ended, aesthetically pleasing, and thought-provoking arrangement of materials or environmental change designed to spark children's curiosity, wonder, and engagement. These "invitations" encourage children to lead their own learning by exploring, questioning, and developing their theories about the world, fostering creativity and hands-on learning without a predetermined outcome

  • During morning meeting, the children come together on the classroom rug to greet each other, hear stories, have discussions, or make plans for the day. Teachers support the discussion, supporting children’s turn taking and conversation skills. We also provide a snack to the children every day, typically after morning meeting.

  • Working time is a time for the children to work in small groups with a teacher. The work varies depending on what the children are working on and can range from practicing fine motor skills with scissors or droppers, molding items out of clay, or mixing paints.

    Once a week, our music teacher joins the children for music time, during which the children engage in music and movement activities.

    Twice a week, a small group of children joins our atelierista in the Studio for some focused art work.

  • The children go outside in all weather, including rain and snow (unless there are extreme conditions.) We visit local parks and playgrounds, as well as community spaces and our very own backyard space. We place an emphasis on interacting with nature and natural materials though we also provide the children with various materials such as magnifying glasses, scoops and buckets, and sometimes clipboards for drawing observations!

  • 12:45 dismissal before nap

    Upon returning to school, the children settle into lunchtime. After cleaning up, children who are signed up for the 8 am-12:45 pm day are dismissed, and the rest of the group has nap time. Depending on the age group, children may or may not fall asleep to rest and recharge before the remainder of the day.

  • After nap, we serve the children some snack and open areas of the room for the children to play. At 3:30 pm, we have another dismissal time for those signed up for the 8 am-3:30 pm day.

  • Children go out to play a second time, often to a different space than was visited in the morning. In the afternoons, classes often merge or meet up with each other, giving the children opportunities to interact with more teachers and children than they might in the mornings. Pick-up typically occurs between 5 and 5:45 pm.