Milestones Preschool is a unique, home-based learning environment located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We are licensed by New York State as a group family day care, but run our program as a traditional preschool.
We provide a loving, caring, and safe environment with an emphasis on child-centered, hands-on, play-based learning. We implement an age-appropriate curriculum which is based around units of study such as "All About Me," "The 5 Senses," "Healthy Bodies," "Community Helpers," and much more. We have a consistent schedule, seasonal, unit, and interest-based activities, and everything we do promotes learning in a fun and enjoyable way.
Though we work on literacy, mathematics, science, and other academics, our core focus is on social-emotional development. Our main goal is to help students develop kindness, consideration of others, self-confidence, and intrinsic motivation. We work to provide students with tools and traits they can bring with them not only to Kindergarten, but to life beyond school as well.
We enroll children ages 2 through 5. We are an inclusive school and work to accommodate all children. We have a maximum of 12 students per day, with all students in one mixed-age classroom.
We believe that:
Preschool should be a warm, fun, and loving place where your child feels safe and where your family feels welcome. We take pride in being in-tune with your child's needs, emotions, abilities, and interests. We feel that a child's first introduction to a separation program sets the tone for a love of school and learning. We are experts at early separation and we will work with you to make your first school experience a positive and successful one.
Respect and kindness are a top priority. We stress cooperation, helpfulness, and consideration. We enjoy the mixed-age class because it resembles a family unit. We encourage the older children to model appropriate behavior and become a teacher for our younger students. The younger students observe and learn from our older students. We encourage all students to be kind and loving to each other, their teachers, and the school itself. We do a lot of social teaching like sharing, working together, and "using our words" to resolve conflict.
Children are natural learners and can achieve and succeed at any age. We strive to make learning fun, and believe that everything can be a teachable moment. We implement a preschool curriculum that is based on educational philosophies and is flexible to accommodate student interests. We create play opportunities where children can explore new concepts, learn new skills, and interact with both the materials and their peers. There is a balance of free play, guided activities, and whole-group play. We differentiate instruction based on each child's unique strengths and needs to meet every student where they are developmentally, and help them flourish.
Our goal is to help develop kind, caring, confident, and curious learners who love going to school and love to learn.
At Milestones UWS, we’re a close-knit preschool community built on trust, care, and a deep understanding of early childhood.
Our program is intentionally small, warm, and home-based, which allows us to truly know every child and their family. Because of our intentionally small group size, we’re able to provide consistent, individualized attention throughout the day. From daily hellos to meaningful conversations at pick-up, our setting allows children to feel safe, known, and loved—and that makes all the difference.
We believe that learning happens best when it’s joyful. Our play-based curriculum is designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence, with units that follow the seasons, our community, and the children’s interests. Whether we’re painting with cars during our Transportation Unit or exploring the 5 Senses, we’re always learning through hands-on, age-appropriate experiences.
Our curriculum includes early literacy, math, science, and the arts—but above all, we focus on social and emotional development. We help children learn how to be kind, how to speak up, how to work together, and how to navigate big feelings with support.
All of our children learn and play together in one mixed-age classroom. This creates a family-like atmosphere where older children become role models and helpers, and younger children benefit from observing and learning alongside their peers. This dynamic fosters empathy, patience, and leadership in a natural and beautiful way.
Our team is small, experienced, and highly qualified. Our Director holds a Master’s degree and leads with a deep understanding of both child development and responsive care. We don’t just supervise children—we partner with them, tune in to their needs, and build strong emotional connections every day. Parents often say we feel like an extension of their home, and that’s exactly how we want it to feel.
We know that sending your child to school for the first time is a huge step. That’s why we prioritize communication, keeping you in the loop with regular updates, open conversations, and a strong partnership. Whether you’re navigating separation anxiety or celebrating a new milestone, we’re here to support your parenting journey every step of the way.
"My daughter has attended Milestones for the last two years... She has flourished in an environment where she feels safe and respected... Milestones has been the perfect fit for our family."
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