Hello, how can we help?

FAQs — Playgarden Prep

• Who Is Playgarden?

  Playgarden was founded in 2007 by two mothers (and a dad!) looking to create a clean, safe indoor space for young children to learn and play in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood. Over the years we have expanded our offerings; in addition to being home to NYC’s largest indoor playground, our Tribeca location also offers programs for children ages 1 to 5 years old which include Preschool and Pre-k, Learning Pods, Enrichment Classes, and Afterschool Programs.

  We opened our Upper East Side Preschool on 96th and Madison Ave. in 2017 to focus exclusively on formal early learning, tailoring the space to create a nurturing, enriching Preschool/Pre-K environment. In 2019, we began working on providing access to our early education programs online, which were made available to our in-person students in the spring of 2020, and made available to the world that fall.

  In 2023, we opened the doors for our third in-person learning center, located at Park Ave. and 86th Street. For over 15 years Playgarden Prep has focused on creating educational and developmental programs for the youngest children, and we hope to continue to grow as we provide access to early childhood education for little ones in NYC and around the world!
• Is Playgarden Prep a Montessori school?

  Though not strictly Montessori-based, all of our programs are rooted in the Montessori method of learning. Our certified teachers use Montessori materials and curriculum, which we complement with tailored songs and language curriculum that we have developed over 13 years to teach our little ones. Our curriculum also takes elements of Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Play-Based, High-Scope, and Cognitive-Based learning. For more about our Preschool and Pre-K curriculum, see HERE.
• Is Playgarden a SEIT friendly school?

  Yes! In addition to our Specialized Speech and Language Classroom, Playgarden encourages the attendance of your child’s SEIT.

  From the NYC Dept. of Education: “A SEIT is a New York State certified special education teacher who comes to work with a preschool student with a disability on academic, emotional, and social skills. SEIT services include both direct and indirect services. “Direct service” is specially designed instruction in which the SEIT works directly with a child, one-on-one or in a group (based on the IEP recommendation). Direct SEIT allows the preschool child with an IEP to benefit from the early childhood program and to participate in age-appropriate activities. “Indirect SEIT” means consultation provided by a certified special education teacher to assist the child’s early childhood program teacher in adjusting the learning environment and/or modifying their instructional methods to meet the individual needs of a preschool student with a disability who attends an early childhood program.”
• What is the youngest age that you accept?

  We offer multiple programs, with offerings for all ages 0-6 depending on the Playgarden location. Our Preschool programs accept students as young as 18 months and as old as 4 years, and our Pre-K program accepts students who turn 4 on or before the first day of November each year. Of course, the age range of students we accept at Playgarden is flexible depending on each child’s needs; contact admissions@playgardenprep.com to find out which program is right for your little one.

  Our Tribeca location offers a variety of classes for little ones ages 12 months to 5 years, and our Playground is open for children aged 0-6. For more information on ages accepted for specific classes and offerings, please refer to their respective pages.
• Does Playgarden offer ex-missions?

  Playgarden Prep is well known by continuing schools, and supports parents in the next steps in their child’s education. We offer informational sessions to learn about future schools, and our Educational Directors will happily offer guidance with application processes and interviews. We can also provide letters of recommendation upon request.
  Our graduates have gone on to the following schools: Avenues, Bank Street, Blue School, Brunswick School, City and Country School, Covenant of the Sacred Heart, Friends Seminary, Grace Church School, Greenwich Academy, Horace Mann, Little Red, Marymount, Spence, St Ann’s, St David’s, St Luke’s, The 92nd Street Y, The Dalton School, Trinity School, UNIS, Washington Market, Wetherby-Pembridge, and Whitby School, among others.
• Does Playgarden have a Parent Teacher Association?

  Yes! Our new Parent Teacher Association will be active next school year (2023-2024); more information coming soon!

FAQs — Playgarden Prep Tribeca

• Before I enroll, do you offer any trial classes?

  We offer $50 Trial Day Passes for our Afterschool and Enrichment Classes, which include one class + one hour on the playground before or after class. In order to schedule a trial, please contact us at info@playgardennyc.com, or call our Tribeca front desk team at 212-965-9717.
• How do I enroll my child in Preschool or Pre-K?

  You can easily submit an application for your child via the Admissions page. For more information on Preschool and Pre-K enrollment, contact admissions@playgardenprep.com.
• How do I enroll my child in an Enrichment or Afterschool Class?

  To register for one of our classes, please contact us at info@playgardennyc.com, or call our Tribeca front desk team at 212-965-9717. From there, our team will provide you with our enrollment contract and answer any questions you may have to finalize the enrollment process.
• What is your tuition?

  Costs vary depending on the program and location you would like to enroll at.

  For the most up-to-date Upper East Side Preschool / Pre-K / Learning Pods tuition information, click HERE.

  For the most up-to-date Tribeca Preschool / Pre-K / Learning Pods tuition information, click HERE.
• How much do Classes and/or Playground access cost?

  Enrollment in our Enrichment Classes and Playground memberships are semester-based, with costs varying based on the semester. Your membership will always be prorated to the week you join.

  For the most up-to-date Class pricing information, click HERE.

  For the most up-to-date Playground pricing information, click HERE.
• What is your cancellation policy?

  Playgarden offers several flexible enrollment options; cancellation and refund policies will be detailed in your enrollment contract, depending on the semester in which you join. Playgarden reserves the right to refuse or provide refunds on a case-by-case basis.
• What is a Learning Pod?

  Learning Pods were created to help make children ages 2-4 familiar and comfortable with the concept of group-based schooling, and ease them into the drop-off process. For more information on Learning Pods, click HERE.
• Do I have to be a member to play on the Playground?

  Yes—For the safety and comfort of our little ones, Playgarden is a membership-based facility and does not offer drop-ins. There are no annual membership dues; you will automatically become a Playgarden member by signing up for any of Playgarden’s programs, either by the semester or annually.

  To play on the Playground, you must be signed up for either a Playground membership or a Class/Pods + Playground membership. The exception to this is our Prep students; any family enrolled in Preschool or Pre-K at Playgarden automatically gets access to the playground, which is open 7 days a week from 10AM to 5PM.

  For more information, click HERE, or email us at info@playgardennyc.com.
• - What are your Birthday Party options?

  We pride ourselves on hosting LEGENDARY birthday parties for kiddos of all ages! We offer 2 different birthday party options: The Standard Party Package and The Blowout Party Package. Playgarden parties are available for members and non-members! For more information, click HERE, or email us at info@playgardennyc.com.
• What are your summer options?

  We’re glad you asked! Playgarden Tribeca offers a variety of summer options, including Camp, Enrichment Classes, and Playground. For more information, click HERE.

FAQs — Playgarden Prep Madison Ave.

• Before I enroll, do you offer any trial classes?

  As a DOH-certified school, we don’t officially offer trial passes, though we can always offer a tour at the end of the school day based on teacher availability! To schedule a visit, please email us at ues@playgardenprep.com, or call our UES front desk team at 212-965-9718. 
• How do I enroll my child in Preschool or Pre-K?

  You can easily submit an application for your child via the Admissions page. For more information on Preschool and Pre-K enrollment, contact admissions@playgardenprep.com.
• How do I enroll my child in Learning Pods?

  To register for Learning Pods, please contact us at ues@playgardennyc.com, or call our UES front desk team at 212-965-9718. From there, our team will provide you with our enrollment contract and answer any questions you may have to finalize the enrollment process.
• What is a Learning Pod?

  Learning Pods were created to help make children ages 2-4 familiar and comfortable with the concept of group-based schooling, and ease them into the drop-off process. For more information on Learning Pods, click HERE.
• Do you offer Enrichment Classes?

  Unfortunately, based on facility-size and the expansion of our preschool programming, our Madison Ave. location is unable to accommodate enrichment classes at this time. You may find classes at our nearby Learning Lab on 86th and Park! For more information on this location, click HERE.
• Do you offer Parties?

  Unfortunately, we do not have the space to offer parties at this location. For Parties and Playground access, visit our Tribeca location.
• What are your summer options?

  We’re glad you asked! Playgarden at 96th and Madison offers Summer Camp for Preschool and Pre-K aged children. For more information, click HERE.

FAQs — Playgarden Prep Park Ave.