Testimonials

The Family Annex is a rare and special institution. We cannot express what it means to us as parents to know when we drop off our children in the morning, that they are in the best hands possible. It is a place where every teacher is deeply insightful about young children, cares for them like family, and loves to come to work each day. If there is true “magic” in the world, this is it.

Our daughter has attended The Family Annex since 2017 and our son began attending in 2020. We have experienced each of the three classrooms and could not imagine a better nursery school. The teachers are masters of their craft (literally and figuratively – nearly all have master’s degrees), they know the children exceptionally well, and care for them with warmth and kindness. The Reggio Emilia philosophy is also a huge asset, with a curriculum that is tailored to the interests of the children, keeping them engaged and excited to come to school every day.

In addition, the parents are a very warm, fun, and intelligent group. We have made many great friends here. Lastly, all of this is the direct result of tremendous leadership by Nancy and Lauren. They have built a staff of exceptional teachers that love what they do and working with one another. This is not an easy task. They have also managed to achieve this while keeping tuition far lower than peer schools. We are truly grateful to be part of this community.

Ben and Lisa Eisler, former parents

When we thought about transitioning the kids to a full-time program, we were nervous about how they might handle the new setting and long days, especially because they were starting in the nursery program when most of the kids had joined as toddlers. The transition has exceeded all expectations. The teachers went to great lengths to learn about the kids before they had even started, which made the twins feel special. The kids are all very sweet and the parent group has been extremely welcoming. In the short time since we started at Family Annex we've been invited on group and individual play dates and to book clubs. It's been a warm and welcome experience for the entire family, even in these socially distanced times, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of the Family Annex community.

Andi Shapiro, former parent

When we moved to New York for the first time as a family, enrolling our daughter at the Family Annex was the ray of light that made our relocation meaningful and joyful. Over the last 2.5 years, it has been a blessing for us in the big city: A small, warm, welcoming community that prepares all of us to thrive as learners, as parents, and as people. Our daughter has been incredibly happy at Family Annex: She loves her teachers and friends, and is clearly inspired by the activities she engages in there. Family Annex invests in the things that matter most: truly outstanding teachers and a high teacher-to-child ratio. Not only do the teachers provide loving and thoughtful care, they do so with a rare depth of attention and ability to listen to the child. Some of our greatest parenting breakthroughs happened thanks to the suggestions of Family Annex teachers. For instance, teachers paid close attention to various issues in our daughter’s development, and gave us very effective techniques to help her. Importantly, they did not just communicate parenting suggestions, but grounded them in a subtle understanding of our daughter’s perspective and her developmental abilities. The school’s director, Nancy, has a rare combination of skills: In addition to her unassuming leadership that allows everyone to thrive and the school to run smoothly, she brings a long-term perspective on your child, supported by many years of experience at Family Annex and in the field of education. She is exceedingly perceptive and sincere, and has often given us priceless advice on simple and effective parenting strategies, as well as generous help to navigate the ever-challenging Kindergarten application process. Last but not least are the families in the community: Family Annex is a parent cooperative, and brings in people who are happy to contribute meaningfully to the functioning of the school, rising to the occasion with their time and talents because the school is truly worth it. This forms strong links between collaborating families, that in turn create an atmosphere of unhurried friendliness. Parents, children, and teachers are often gathered on the front steps to chat, and even though they are busy, they take their time to check in with each other and enjoy each other’s company. This school is truly a gem, and we are happy to recommend it in the highest way possible.

Audrey Kittredge and Augustin Chaintreau, former parents

We were at Family Annex from 2017-2019. It was a beautiful experience for us: from nurturing teachers to a safe environment, children were encouraged to express themselves through art and music in the most creative way. As a small cooperative school, parents become part of the school too, creating a supporting community, that lasts long after you leave the school. Highly recommended!

Sara Serpa, former parent

Marai's three years at the Family Annex were filled with wonder, joy, and lots of laughter.  Her teachers, all, were caring, dedicated, and very special!

David Pincus and Colleen Major, former parents