young kids sitting in a circle by a bookshelf

Early Childhood

At Pine Street Preschool, our youngest learners begin their journey in a safe, nurturing environment where curiosity is encouraged and wonder comes to life. Through playful exploration and meaningful connections, children start building the early literacy, inquiry, and social skills that lay the foundation for a lifetime of joyful, collaborative learning.

A Gentle Beginning

Our Nursery Ones program, designed for children starting at 12 months old, nurtures each child’s natural growth through a full-time Montessori Trilingual curriculum in English, Spanish, and Mandarin — all led by experienced, credentialed teachers.

We understand how important these early years are. That’s why we create an environment that feels like an extension of home — secure, loving, and deeply attentive. In this warm and nurturing space, our youngest learners begin to build a strong sense of self, explore with confidence, and grow through gentle guidance from compassionate educators who specialize in early childhood development.

Our Nursery Threes program welcomes 3-year-olds into a vibrant dual-language environment, with the option of Mandarin-English or Spanish-English, where learning is joyful, purposeful, and developmentally rich. At this stage, children begin to take on new challenges with growing confidence — becoming curious thinkers, kind collaborators, and enthusiastic explorers.

This is also where the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) begins, brought to life through engaging, transdisciplinary units that encourage students to see connections across subjects like science and social studies. Montessori-inspired materials and thoughtfully prepared classrooms offer just the right balance of structure and flexibility, helping children build focus, independence, and a love of learning.

Each day includes opportunities for creative play, indoor movement, and outdoor exploration at nearby community spaces like Battery Park and Imagination Playground — supporting physical, emotional, and social development in meaningful ways.

Our Nursery Twos program, designed for children ages 2 and up, offers a full-time Montessori Trilingual experience in English, Spanish, and Mandarin, led by nurturing, credentialed teachers.

This year is a gentle and thoughtful bridge between home and school — a time when children begin to build trust, explore with curiosity, and gain a sense of independence within a caring, responsive environment. Our experienced educators honor each child’s pace and needs, supporting their development across all domains: intellectual, physical, social, and emotional.

In beautifully prepared, child-sized classrooms, every material and activity is intentionally chosen to spark exploration, support developmental milestones, and help children feel capable and confident. Montessori learning areas invite our twos to engage deeply, follow their interests, and begin to discover their place in a wider world.

Pine Street School’s Junior Kindergarten program thoughtfully prepares 4-year-olds for the collaborative, inquiry-based environment of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). In our nurturing atmosphere, teachers guide students through problem-solving and encourage meaningful reflection, helping them grow as independent thinkers and engaged learners.

As Junior Kindergarteners adapt to new routines, they enjoy a rich schedule filled with art, music, and physical education, fostering creativity and movement. The PYP Units of Inquiry, designed to be transdisciplinary, are complemented by hands-on Montessori materials that inspire exploration and curiosity. This stage is vital for intellectual and social development, and our dedicated teachers provide individualized instruction to challenge and support each student’s unique journey.

Embracing our ‘city as a school’ philosophy, students participate in field trips and community explorations, tapping into the vibrant resources of our city for enriching, real-world learning experiences.