Customer Reviews

The Manhattan Directory of Private Nursery Schools

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sadly, if you have a small child in Manhattan, you probably need this book. The best I can say for it is that it is thorough. Although the book claims that it is the only source for information not written by the schools themselves, it might as well be by the schools themselves. Don't expect the book to make any judgements about any schools. This text simply presents the information in the way that the schools' promotional literature presents it. No judgements are made.
The authors have clearly "drunk the kool-aid" on the whole admissions process, as well. There is no healthy discussion as to whether interviewing 3 year olds is sensible or desireable. The book simply gives you the raw material to help you throw fuel on the fire that is the private preschool racket in NYC.
This inability to question itself or laugh at itself comes out in the prose as well-- resulting in accidental humor. Over and over again the reader is subjected to sentences such as: "Preschool activities include... blockbuilding (to discover math and aesthetic concepts)." Wow. Thanks for explaining that.
Cloying prose aside, the book would benefit from a kind of time-table. Most parents really want to know "WHAT do I need to do, and WHEN do I need to do it?" For example, under admissions, it often says "applications are given out in mid September" when the reality is that if you don't call for the application the Tuesday morning after Labor Day, you will not receive one! THAT would be some useful information.

This book is comprehensive but really isn't much more than all info pulled out of the schools' catalogs. It proposed to be an insider's view, but there's nothing here you couldn't read in one of the school's own promotional materials. fyi.

Victoria Goldman's Directory of Nursery Schools is essential reading for any New York City parent who is about to embark on the nursery school admissions process. An earlier reviewer criticized it for not critiquing the schools, but I think that is it's strength. It's a guidebook. It provides a description of each school and will help you narrow the choices of nursery schools to which you might want to apply your child. Read the book, then go visit the schools yourself and come to your own conclusions. You will find it extremely helpful, not only to help you get a feel for each different program, but it provides contact information, ages when children can apply, how many kids are accepted each year, and more (all in one place!). I've found this book to be more thorough than the materials provided by many of the nursery schools themselves. I highly recommend Victoria's guide. Karen Quinn, author of The Ivy Chronicles

This book is not worth the money. You're better off getting a list of all the schools in your vicinity online and then going to each one's website, or better yet, go to mommypoppins.com. I wish I had done that. In just my section of Manhattan alone, two schools have changed locations and one closed since the last printing of this book which was in 2007. Had I known that I wouldn't have wasted $19 dollars.
I'm going to refer to mommypoppins.com after all.

...of course the book could be published in volumes! The web has proven the best resource for research, while this book is a solid starting point.

Choosing the right nursery school for your child can be a very demanding and stressful process for NYC parents. Victoria Goldman's book helps parents get off to a great start by organizing and describing the schools and it serves as a very convenient and time-saving resource. Definitely worth the investment.

The only book you'll need to help you through the crazy Manhattan preschool drama. great facts and very easy to read and get through

Every parent I know with young children is asking themself the same two questions: Should I send my child to preschool? And if so, where?

(Go ahead; try to name one parent you know with a three year old that is not researching the local preschools.)

This book is a godsend for parents who have decided to raise their child in New York City! The author has done half the research for you.

The book, which is very well researched and well written, is put together in an easy-to-read format that allows parents to page back and forth and compare schools.

The information parents most want, is listed first, including where each school is located, what hours the preschool keeps, and, of course, the cost of tuition at each school.

In addition, the author goes over some preschool basics including what to look for, what to expect, how to apply. Also included is a wealth of definitions and philosophies (Montessori, child-centered, accreditation, on-going) that many new parents may be unfamiliar with.

This comprehensive guide is a must have for any new parent!

While this book gives parents a good starting point in thier search for a good daycare/nursery/preschool there are other high quality services that were not mentioned. For example one glaring ommision is Smarter Toddler Nursery and Preschool on the Upper West Side which focuses on learning through the Arts. I hope the next edition of this directory will be better researched.

This is the only book available on Manhattan nursery schools. (Other information can be obtained through the Parents League.) The authors' book is thorough and factual, giving parents a complete introduction to early childhood schools, including admissions, school contact information, and school portraits. As a New York City educational consultant, I recommend this book as a starting point to all of my clients with young children.