Our History
York Avenue Preschool was established in 1993 by our founders, Michael and Bonni Branciforte, in a state of the art facility. This private independent, not-for-profit preschool served students in Twos, Threes, and Fours/Pre-K classes with a traditional school day and calendar. The philosophy was that children are self-driven learners who benefit most from the stimulating exploration of their environment and interaction with peers. The curriculum was enhanced by specialty classes such as Gym, Music, Art, Cooking, STEAM, Library, Yoga, Living Science, and Foreign Language (Fours/Pre-K). As a member of the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), there has always been a focus on preparing students and families for the next steps in their education journey.
Community is a vital part of any school. York Avenue Preschool nurtured a robust Parents’ Association which allowed for a vibrant school community. The PA’s function was to enhance the preschool experience for both children and families. This is done by supplementing certain enrichment programs and hosting events throughout the year from community outreach to fundraisers and teacher appreciation.
In 2016, the Eastside Day School was established in the same location to serve families with younger children who also needed a flexible schedule and 12-month calendar. The school began with students ages One through Three years, with an emphasis on social and emotional development of the child. This was accomplished by respecting children’s competency and valuing each child’s unique contribution to the classroom community. The day was supplemented with specialty classes through Gymtime Rhythm and Glues, including Music, Gym, Art, Cooking, and STEAM.
Due to the needs of families in the community, the school grew and expanded, and in 2022, a 6-months-old Infant program was added.
A New Name - York Avenue Day School
In 2022 a decision was made to combine York Avenue Preschool and the Eastside Day School to provide continuity of education and care from 6 months to Fours/Pre-K. This better serves the needs of our families and responds to the changing landscape in New York City. York Avenue Day School provides children with an emergent curriculum taught by dedicated educators. Students continue to have access to the Gymtime facility and all specialty classes, such as Music, Gym, Art, Cooking, STEAM, Spanish (Fours/Pre-K), Library, and outdoor playground. Parents now have the flexibility of choosing the length of day and year that works best for their families.
York Avenue Day School remains a member of ISAAGNY and continues to provide support starting with admissions, through the exmissions process for any families who want to explore independent schools for kindergarten.
We continue to have parent involvement through a Parents Association. Building community within the school as a whole and in each class room through class reps, opportunities for parents to volunteer, and celebrate our teachers. Our commitment to community service projects and fundraising, which supports yoga and living science. We encourage all parents to participate as this involvement directly benefits your children.
The decision to merge schools was made with our students' best interests in mind. Our founders, having 45+ years of preschool, childcare, and educational excellence in Manhattan, have drawn on this wealth of experience to always look forward and anticipate the future of early childhood education. As a result we are a stronger, unified school that best fits the needs of our community.