Corlears School, a progressive independent nursery, preschool, and elementary school in New York City’s Chelsea-Meatpacking area, is expanding its program offerings starting in Fall 2021 to give even younger children a chance to foster skills necessary for academic success.
Corlears Roots, an early childhood program designed especially for children 16 months and up, will give toddlers early opportunities to develop their gross motor, sensory, math, science, art, social, and language skills, all while gaining independence, thanks to a play-based curriculum created by Corlears’ early childhood experts. Applications to the Corlears Roots program opened on March 15th, 2021.
“We recognize that our toddlers need to socialize – and we all need community, now more than ever after the limitations of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021,” says Thea Kabacinski, Director of Enrollment Management and Dean of Students. “Corlears has been running an in-person program through the COVID-19 pandemic, and is now proud to introduce Corlears Roots, which will bring toddlers these growth opportunities once again. Our early childhood teaching expertise will be offered to the youngest learners – all while providing an education for parents and caregivers.”
The Toddler Program Options
The Caregiver & Me class for ages 16 months and up runs for 90 minutes 2 days a week, and is led by early childhood educators. The adult participants, who stay in class with their toddler, will learn strategies to engage their child in free play, art activities, music, movement, story time, and snack.
Meanwhile, the Gentle Separation class for ages 20 months and up is 90-minute classes 3 days a week, and offers young children an intimate opportunity to grow, explore, and build confidence while taking their first steps into a classroom community. The Gentle Separation class grows into a drop-off program in the second semester where the days are lengthened to facilitate independence and comfort with separation from caregivers.
Starting in January 2022, Corlears will also offer a 3 day drop-off program for children who are 2 years old by Feb. 1st.
Throughout the Fall of 2021 and Spring of 2022, Corlears Roots will continue to be responsive our community’s growing needs, including the next steps for our Caregiver & Me and Gentle Separation classes, as well as other options to provide parents, caregivers, and guardians of toddlers the partnership they need to navigate the challenging times introduced by COVID-19.
The Corlears Community
We know that parents and caregivers of young children are looking for answers about what is best for their little ones, so families enrolled in the Roots program will also have opportunities to learn from the school’s expert teachers, coaches, and administrators through workshops, presentations, and play groups. Another benefit? Participation in Corlears Roots helps prepare children for our early childhood program, and provides families an opportunity to join our community prior to applying for our Nursery program.
Corlears is a progressive independent school and one of the few schools in New York City that focuses exclusively on the early years of education (age 2 through 5th grade) – and we always have. In our more than 50 years of experience, we’ve come to understand that these early years are the most crucial formative years for every child. They set a foundation of learning and confidence for everything to come. We specialize in guiding this impressionable age group, because the start of your child’s academic life should be nothing short of exceptional.
Learn more about our Corlears Roots program and offerings here, and submit your application today. We hope to see you next school year!
