Child Care / Preschool in Manhattan, NYC

Smarter Toddler, Manhattan:
With two convenient locations in Manhattan NYC, Smarter Toddler is a leading nursery school / preschool that provides arts-based preschool programs for babies, toddlers and young children ages 3 months to 5 years. Situated on the Upper West Side and at Midtown West near Times Square, we offer a warm, community-oriented learning environment where we encourage curiosity, promote kindness and respect, and exercise imagination and creativity.

We offer educational programs for children aged between 3 months and 5 years:

- Infant Program (3 months to 12 months):
Nurturing caregivers, staffed at a generous 1:4 ratio, provide attentive, affectionate care, bathing the infants in language as they perform everyday routines. The infant program meets the needs for physical comfort, emotional security, beginning socialization and language development for the infant from age 3 months to 1 year.

- Toddler 1 Program (13 - 20 months):
Toddlers have a rapid developmental sense of themselves; which is characterized by physical movement, language acquisition and the exploration of social relationships and imaginative play. At this age we introduce the children to activities which help them express themselves through sound, imagination, and through experimenting with color, texture and shape. We also help children to understand their emotions and develop their relationships with other children through empathy and concern. 

As the child matures, the learning materials grow more complex. Our Toddler 1 Curriculum ensures that your toddler's day will be filled with things to explore, items to see, objects to touch. Music is an important element of the curriculum for every toddler, youngest to oldest. Art will be incorporated in all content areas.

Cozy areas of the nursery are reserved for stories, rhymes and songs. Carpet, mirrors and wooden toys enhance tactile and visual stimulation, and the room is designed to encourage physical skills such as sitting, standing and walking. An environment of bright colors and appropriate toys provides optimum stimulation for the toddler’s growth.

- Toddler 2 Program (21 months - 2.5 years):
In our Toddler 2 rooms you can find a fully balanced day with tons of imaginative activates and play. It is the optimum environment for learning at this level of development. They learn through a balance of play, teacher-facilitated activities, and repetition. The children are in a caring atmosphere, with a reassuring routine, and stimulating activities. We also help children to understand their emotions and develop their relationships with other children through empathy and concern.

Many self help skills are introduced to the children through daily routines and cooperative play. Teachers in the Toddler 2 rooms help children become more independent. The children are taught to be more vocal resulting in language development. An environment of bright colors and appropriate toys provides optimum stimulation for the toddler’s growth. As the child matures, the learning materials grow more complex. Music is an important element of the curriculum for every toddler, youngest to oldest. Art will be incorporated in all content areas.

- Young Preschool Program (2.5 - 3.5 years):
Children at this age need patience and guidance, learning how to interact with their peers and making positive choices. Their language skills and experience in resolving conflicts is increasing. We provide many opportunities for them to practice their language skills. Included in our program are experiences in language arts, dramatic play, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, creative arts, science, math, music, and movement.

Preschoolers learn from their play. They are busy developing skills, using language, and struggling to gain inner control. Younger preschoolers are encouraged to complete their toilet training. A relaxed approach is used, along with positive reinforcement. Teachers provide children with the most enhanced learning methods.

- Preschool Program (3.5 - 5 years):
Teachers will support preschoolers’ learning with exciting activities to best meet their cognitive, physical and social-emotional development. Our preschoolers will begin to experience the joy of self-expression in the areas of music, arts & crafts, movement, story hour, and games in our supervised play areas. Dramatic play, outside play, music & movement, blocks and science are a big part of their day.

These children are on the move and becoming more independent. We need to develop their manipulative and coordination skills with puzzles and games, their creative skills with drawing, painting, sticking, cutting and free expression, their language skills with books, poetry, songs and individual and group discussion. Climbing frames, soft play, music and dance support their spatial awareness and body control, while jumping, kicking a ball or balancing on one leg offer fun and physical challenges. Play is focused on helping children develop self-care skills, as well as encouraging independence.

Please e-mail via our Contact Us page for further information on our child care and early childhood education programs in NYC.