03/22/09

One of NYC's Best Kept Secrets

by Dadx2

I passed by the school to enroll my son. The entrance is on the ground floor, but when I entered a relaxed and peaceful environment greeted me. I was happy to see children so focused on their tasks.

There are 2 classrooms with beautiful painted murals and children’s art hanging on the walls.

Classical music was playing in the background, which I thought was a wonderful addition.

I found this little paradise to be very suitable for my son, and would strongly recommend this preschool.

I think it is one of the best kept secrets in NYC!

• Pros: Adorable for both kids and parents
• Cons: Hard to find!

03/20/09

A great Frencjh preschool

by isolas

I am moving from France and I want my daughter to continue the French language while living in New York. I was delighted to hear about this preschool that teaches French.

I also want to make sure that the curriculum is a good one, because we will be moving back to France in a couple of years and would like my child to be up to the French system standard.

So, while I was in New York looking for apartments, I contacted the school to observe the class and see what is being offered and how the French is incorporated into the program.

I must say that I had a great visit. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves including the teachers!

One child built a fabulous castle with her friend. It is a mixed age group 0f 3 & 4 yr olds, one teacher was working with an older child helping her with her writing skills. The other teacher was overseeing a table of art projects using recyclable kitchen towel tubes.

I felt the program covered a lot of education and fun so I decided to enroll my daughter at this particular school.

Mom 64

• Pros: French language program

03/16/09

A wonderful Montessori Preschool

by melaW

This bilingual program has a lot to offer. While visiting this school, the director gave me a tour and

handed me the curriculum which covers a great deal of learning. There are plenty of materials for children to choose from. I teach at a Montessori school, and understand the philosophy, which is about giving children the freedom to choose the activities that are interesting to them.

I was curious to see what this school is all about because I heard so much about it from my friends.

The class itself is very beautifully designed. The tables and chairs are unique. The children were

having fun, learning a lot in a nurturing environment. And that’s what matters!

As a teacher I can say that this program is very good and would recommend it to parents.

MW

• Pros: French/English/Eco-friendly Education

03/15/09

Good preschool

by Lilo

I have observed the class at le petit paradis and was amazed at how much the children were independent. They work on various materials that are on the shelves. The teachers are wonderful and nurturing.

Some children were working on their Alphabet and rhymes while others worked on their numbers.

At circle time, they learnt about the days of the week and months of the year. The children were all

ears when the teacher read ‘le chaperon rouge’ before the end of class.

I will definitely enroll my child there and would definitely recommend this preschool which is a real gem in New York City.

• Pros: Next to park
• Cons: ..

03/15/09

A Darling Preschool

by snowfoott

What a cute little paradise this school is indeed! As soon as I stepped into the classroom, I felt peace

and automatically my body relaxed forgetting all about the traffic and noise outside. Some children

were working in groups, while others were deeply concentrated on their materials. 3 girls were=2 0

chatting over a picnic, which I thought was so sweet.

At the play dough table, 2 boys were cooking a great meal and came to me with a big smile and said:

‘Would you like some vegetable soup?” so of course I had to have a taste.

It was refreshing to see the harmony between everyone. Everything see med to flow effortlessly and

magic was in the air. It is very hard to explain my visit. I was under the spell of those kids. And right

away I imagined my darling daughter in this lovely environment. I can’t wait for her to start school

here!

• Pros: kids are happy and teachers are nurturing. Lots of activitis

02/25/09

Decent as daycare. Not really a preschool.

by JeremyWoodNYC

My son attends this "preschool." He is safe and (mostly) happy there. He even learns a little French. But there is no curriculum worthy of the name. Other preschools (and high quality day care programs) develop lesson plans for each day/week/month where activities are planned to develop particular skills, and those activities are organized around themes. At Petit Paradis, they keep doing the same activities. There is no educational plan for the group, much less for my son. Perhaps referring to this ?school? as Les Petit Parody would be going too far.

Christina uses Montessori and Bank Street less as pedagogical guides than as tools for justifying laziness and deflecting criticism. Laissez-faire is not an recognized educational method.

Christina often seems more concerned with rigidly applying numerous rules (e.g. those related to the uniform) than with the children or their parents.

Editorial Review

by Contributor

Teaching your child how to speak French and environmental awareness, Le Petit Paradis Preschool is the premier Montessori in New York City.