PRE-SCHOOL & PLAYGROUP
The Jack and Jill School is a play-based program. We emphasize cooperation in work and play and encourage children to develop a sense of caring for each other and a sense of responsibility for their own actions. We strive to create a community of mutual respect for the various traditions of our diverse Jack and Jill family.
The Jack and Jill Playgroup
Children ages 18-30 months | A "First School" Experience
61 Gramercy Park North (East 21st Street, between Lexington & Park Avenue South)
The Jack & Jill Playgroup is a “first school” experience where children become familiar with the ebb and flow of the classroom and the schedule of the day. Children enjoy interactive play as they gain language and social skills with the help of our experienced Playgroup Resource Teacher who leads the children in: Art, Music, and Story Time sessions where they explore a multitude of themes including Transportation, Shapes, and Seasons. A parent or caregiver attends the class with the child.
In Fall 2024, we are offering two sections of playgroup beginning September 9 and running through December 20, 2024.
Section 1: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:30-11:00 A.M.
Section 2: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30-11:00 A.M.
In Spring 2025, we are offering two sections of playgroup beginning January 13 and running through May 23, 2025.
Section 1: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:30-11:00 A.M.
Section 2: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30-11:00 A.M.
In Summer 2024, we are offering one section of playgroup beginning July 1, 2024 and running through July 31, 2024.
Section 1: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:30-11:00 A.M.
Learn a little more about our Playgroup!
The Jack and Jill PRE-SCHOOL, "THE YOUNG 2/3’s"
CHILDREN must be 2 years of age as of September 1, 2024
209 East 16th Street, New York, NY 10003.
The Young 2/3’s is a child-centered classroom, which offers children a nurturing and close-knit environment. The goals of our Young 2/3’s program are to encourage and support: social/emotional development; the ability to form satisfying connections with others; learning through play and communication; and the ability to face challenges. Our classroom provides children with a space where they can learn from their experiences through hands-on exploration. The focus of the classroom is on the process rather than product. This approach allows the children to learn through experimentation. Throughout each school day there are various activities geared towards each child’s individual needs and skills. The children are provided with, among other things, art materials, blocks, and manipulatives, for extended periods of time. Other activities include: a weekly Spanish class, taught by a specialist as well as daily movement and music activities led by the classroom teachers. By providing a wide variety of experiences throughout each school day, the Young 2/3’s program is designed to develop the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical capabilities of each of the students.
Special Area Programs Offered for the 2024-25 School Year:
Art
Spanish
Music/Movement
The Jack and Jill PRE-SCHOOL, "THE YOUNG 4'S"
CHILDREN must be 3.5 years of age as of September 1, 2024
209 East 16th Street, New York, NY 10003.
The Young 4’s classroom is organized with a daily schedule that provides children with opportunities for independent work, small group interaction, and teacher-guided play. Children learn at their own pace in a program that promotes play, socialization, exploration, self-expression, independence, story time, art, music and movement, Spanish, field trips and parent/community involvement. Our curriculum is based on children’s interests and monthly themes that integrate math/science experimentation, early literacy with an emphasis on uppercase letters, and social skills developed through the exposure of different cultures, artists, countries, holidays and important events. The space of the classroom is divided into learning centers that are equipped with meaningful and developmentally appropriate materials for the Young 4’s. Each center provides a variety of opportunities to develop cognitive, social/emotional and physical skills. The room is designed to encourage children’s natural curiosity and desire to learn how the world works. In addition, all students must be potty trained.
Special Area Programs Offered for the 2024-2025 School Year:
Art
Chess
Spanish
Music/Movement
The Jack and Jill PRE-SCHOOL, "THE YOUNG 4/5'S"
CHILDREN must be 4.5 year of age as of September 1, 2024
209 East 16th Street, New York, NY 10003.
The 4/5's daily schedule offers opportunities for open-ended play as well as directed activities and thematic studies. Working independently and in small groups, the children learn through play and hands-on exploration. The curriculum is rich in language experiences as well as reading and math readiness, so as to encourage a love of learning, curiosity, creativity, self-confidence and independence in each child. The developmentally appropriate curriculum evolves from the children's interest both as a group and as individuals. Learning is organized around simple themes and reinforced through discussions, science, art, music, cooking, and trips.
Past themes have included: "All About Me", "My Family", "Transportation", "New York City", "Five Senses", and "Insects". The 4/5's class takes many field trips over the course of the school year in conjunction with their area of study. For instance, when doing a curriculum on NYC we visited: Grand Central Terminal, The Brooklyn Bridge, The Flatiron Building, The Chrysler Building, The Empire State Building, The Staten Island Ferry, Chinatown, The Farmers' Market, and The Central Park Zoo. Social problems such as homelessness are addressed in the classroom. Once a month the 4/5’s class prepares food for and visits the local Soup Kitchen.
The 4/5's have scheduled work time for math, writing, and pre-reading. The children use inventive spelling when they write in their journals. Careful records are kept of each child’s progress. In addition, all students must be potty trained.
Special Area Programs Offered for the 2024-2025 School Year:
Art
Chess
Spanish
Music/Movement
.