New York City has both public and private pre-schools, and they usually accept children between the ages of 2 and 5. The city’s private nursery school admissions process is fiercely competitive, and these schools often have long waiting lists. While public school education is free, annual tuition at private nursery schools can range from $7,000 to $20,000 per year. Half-day and full-day programmes are available, and some parents choose to enrol their students for only two, three, or four mornings per week. Drop-off daycare programmes or playgroups (structured more like childcare facilities) offer parents greater flexibility and the option of paying ‘per use’ on a weekly or monthly basis.

Unlike elementary and secondary school educators, who are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree from a university, pre-school teachers are not subject to standardised certification requirements. Some have only high school diplomas, but at expensive private nursery schools, most teachers have university degrees along with special training in early childhood development and education. Schools that utilise specific educational techniques (such as Monetessori or Reggio Emilia) ensure that their teachers have received training in these modes of education. The 92nd Street Y (www.92y.org) and the Toddler Center at Barnard College (www.barnard.edu/toddlers) are two of the strongest and most popular pre-school programmes in New York City.