Admissions
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Download this information as PDF
Barrow Street Nursery School opens its doors to a new group of eager 2-year-olds every year. Most of our 3 and 4-year-olds are returning students, but we often have room for several new students at these ages, too.
Although space is limited, we encourage every interested parent to apply. If there isn’t a spot available, we’ll gladly place your child on our waiting list.
Please download our application for the 2010 - 2011 school year below:
Please send completed applications and checks back no later than December 1st.
All admissions inquiries can be e-mailed to admissions@greenwichhouse.org.
Children who will be between the ages of 2 and 5.3 in September are eligible for the program.
In order to tour the school during the school day, parents must first submit an application. Once
you have applied, you will receive an email or phone call from us to set up a tour. Tours begin in
mid-October and we appreciate your flexibility when given a tour time/date as it is difficult to meet the needs of everyone's schedules. Tours are about one hour and are for parents only. After the tour each group will have a chance to sit down for 20-30 minutes with the Sr. Director to discuss the school and their children.
In early December parents who have applied to Barrow Street Nursery School will be emailed
a play session appointment. Play sessions will be held in January. We strongly urge parents to try to attend their scheduled visit because children are grouped by age and rescheduling can be difficult. Children are observed in small groups for a half hour. Only one adult will be permitted to accompany each child into the classroom and children are not expected to separate from a parent or caregiver at the play session.
Notification
Barrow Street Nursery School follows the ISAAGNY notification schedule for all applicants
except as concerns siblings and first choice applicants. Siblings receive priority status and early notification. Barrow Street Nursery School does not discriminate on any basis.
Barrow Street Nursery School is committed to attracting and admitting an economically diverse
student body. Financial aid is offered to families based on financial need and availability of
funds. A request for financial aid does not influence the admissions process. Please contact
admissions@greenwichhouse.org for finanical aid forms.
Diversity
Barrow Street Nursery School is committed to creating a community that is racially,
ethnically, religiously, and economically diverse. Barrow Street Nursery School admits
families of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin. It does not
discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, or any other
school-administered programs.
212-633-1203
FAQs
There is so much homework to be done and questions to ask when you’re looking for a school for your child. Parents ask us most often about the topics listed below.
Scholarships
How Parents Can Be Involved
Dealing with Separation
Separation Workshops for Parents
Moving on to Kindergarten
The Greenwich House Relationship to Barrow Street Nursery School
Priority for Siblings
Scholarships are available for families who meet the financial criteria. If you would like to apply for financial aid, please request a form when you apply for your child’s admittance to the school.
Each class has one or more parent liaisons who are a strong link between the teachers and parent body. If volunteers are needed for special trips or activities, the teachers call on the class parents to help out. Other responsibilities are determined on a project-by-project basis. We also have a very active Parent Association (PA) that organizes fundraising events to benefit the scholarship fund. Other PA opportunities include regular parent workshops that take place throughout the school year. Topics are relevant to our parent body and always pertain to preschool-aged children.
Saying goodbye to mommy or daddy at the school’s doorstep for the first time is often a harrowing experience -- for parent and child alike. So, helping kids separate from their parents is a key component of our Two’s Program. Our teachers and staff are highly sensitive to our kids’ needs and feelings. To help ease the process, parents and teachers work together to create a bridge between home and school. We work hard to build good relationships between parents and teachers -- when a parent feels good about the school, so does the child. For 2-year-olds, the teacher makes brief home visits during phase-in as a way of establishing closer links between home and school. Visits are arranged on an individual basis and are strongly recommended. Parents (or a caregiver) are expected to stay with their child at the school during the first weeks of the child’s entrance. The amount of time will depend on the child’s own developmental stage, previous experiences with separation and the parents’ feeling about leaving the child at the school. During this phase-in period, children come in small groups of three or four for a 90-minute stay. Parents spend time in the classroom playing with their child, assisting with their new daily routines and helping them establish relationships with the teachers. All the while, teachers observe and ask questions so that they can continue to be consistent with care following separation. During phase-in, parents begin to leave for short periods, gradually extending the amount of time the child spends without them. All parents say goodbye to their children and tell them when they will return. It’s important that parents never sneak out in the hope that the child won’t notice.
Separation Workshops for Parents
Prior to the first day of school we offer a separation workshop for parents and caregivers.
Our director provides guidance and advice to the parents about the public and private school kindergarten process. Throughout the school year, teachers make observations to best identify each student’s strengths and learning styles to help determine the most appropriate placement for each child. Testing for private school admissions is done on the premises. Barrow Street Nursery School is a member of the Early Childhood Records Bureau (ERB). Visit our exmissions page to read more about the transition to kindergarten.
The Greenwich House Relationship to Barrow Street Nursery School
Greenwich House, Inc. provides supervision and oversight to Barrow Street Nursery School. Greenwich House is responsible for all aspects of the operations of the school. It is their mission to provide the highest quality early childhood educational experience to the children in a sound, safe and educationally rich environment.
We value families and are always eager to have siblings continue on with our program. As long as our program is the right fit for the child, we ensure acceptance.
