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Welcome
A message from Head of School David Egolf and Assistant Head of School Mansi Vasa.
DEIB
Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
About Corlears
Learn about Corlears School's history, educational philosophy, mission, core values, and more.
Faculty and Staff
Meet our faculty and staff and explore the directory.
More to Explore
Blog
Press and Media Coverage
Careers
Parent Reviews

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Admissions Overview
Everything prospective families need to know about Corlears admissions.
How to Apply
Outlining the admissions processes for each of our academic programs, from toddlers through PreK.
Events and Webinars
Visit our campus and go inside the curriculum with school leadership. 
Tuition & TEAM
Changing the paradigm from financial aid to equitable tuition level-setting for all families.
Quick Links
Toddler Application
TADS
Ravenna
Clarity
School Programs
Toddler
The Toddler program for ages 12–24 months celebrates the way toddlers learn best: through the art of play and wonderment.
Nursery
The Nursery program fosters the natural wonder and curiosity of 2- and 3-year-olds.
PreK
Empowering 4-year-old children to become even greater participants in their learning and school community.
Auxiliary Programs
Camp Corlears
Classic summer fun with plenty of outdoor play, arts and crafts, and fun with friends. Led by Corlears teachers. Open to all.
Corlears Plus
All about the before- and after-school care available to families enrolled at Corlears.
Learn. Play. Grow.
Free family activities available on select Saturdays throughout the school year.
See Complete Program Overview
Board of Trustees
Meet the volunteer Board of Trustees and learn more about the committees and structures that govern Corlears School.
School Calendar
Events, holidays, and school closings.
Families Association
Corlears families are important members of our school community, and we offer a number of ways to get involved.
Alumni
How to get connected and stay involved with Corlears School's alumni community.
Ways to Support
Corlears is a small school, but our community has a big heart — and many ways to get involved.
Make a Donation
Every dollar has a lasting impact — not just on  students attending Corlears today, but on all children who come through our doors.
Volunteer
There are a variety of opportunities available for current and alumni community members to get involved by volunteering their time. 

THE ROAD TO OUR FIRST ENDOWMENT

The Tuition Equity Fund (TEF) will serve as the foundation for Corlears School’s first-ever endowment. Corlears has committed significant resources to become the leading school for young children driven by diversity and equity. 

Through the Tuition Equity Fund, we strive to cultivate inclusion and belonging for all community members for generations to come. Your support of the TEF brings to life our vision of a vibrant and connected community like no other in New York City.

Learn More About the Tuition Equity Fund
A Seedlings Blue student jumping for joy during music and movement

Nursery School
for Ages 2–3

The Seedlings nursery program at Corlears fosters the natural wonder and curiosity of 2- and 3-year-olds.

About

Corlears School provides children ages 2-3 years with a nurturing start to their Nursery School journey. Grounded in responsive caregiving and the principles of child development, Nursery classrooms are designed to support children in developing independence, autonomy, joy, and wonder through developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

Individualized responsiveness is at the heart of the work we engage in with children and families. No matter the program you choose, our educators are trained to provide exceptionally nurturing comfort and care as a meaningful part of the separation-attachment process. This ensures every child feels a sense of uniqueness, community, and belonging.

Eligibility

Children who are 2 years old before September 1 are eligible for our Nursery Program.

  • If your child will not yet be 2 years old by September 1, they are eligible for our Toddler Program.
  • If your child will be 4 years old by September, they are eligible for our PreK Program. 
Program Options

Mornings

Nursery classrooms are led by our expert Early Childhood Educators in the morning, following a schedule from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Families can choose to enroll in for 3 or 5 days, with classes meeting on Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Monday through Friday. Morning programs are tuition-based for the academic school year. 

Afternoons

For families who need full-day care, extended days are available for registration on a month-by-month basis, as an optional add-on. Children who stay for extended day will be cared for our by childcare team from 11:30–3:00 or from 11:30–6:00. This team supervises lunch, nap, and free play in the afternoon. 
How to Apply

Corlears uses Ravenna to manage applications. Once you've created an account, submit your child's application; a $50 fee applies. 

Go to Ravenna  →
Staffing

Nursery classrooms are typically 12-14 students per room, led by a Head Teacher and supported by 1-2 Associate Teachers or Classroom Teaching Assistants.

All Head Teachers hold Master's degrees in early childhood or elementary education, in addition to role-specific certifications. Associate Teachers are often working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education. Our Classroom Teaching Assistants and Childcare team receive in-depth health & safety training every year; in addition to bringing years of experience working with very young children.

Program Overview

Through play-based learning and social interaction, we guide children to make discoveries about themselves, their classmates, the school community, and the world.

Every child enrolled in our Nursery program will:

  • Develop a greater sense of self, expanding the ways they express their thoughts, needs, and interests.
  • Establish bonds beyond their immediate family members, developing a sense of belonging, courage, and compassion.
  • Engage in a play-based curriculum (think painting, sorting, singing, building, squishing dough, and dramatic play) that grows their sense of independence and creativity.
  • Experience science, math, art, language, movement, and Spanish through teacher-guided experiences and thoughtfully curated materials.
And we're there for you, too! We know that raising and educating children takes a village, and that's why we prioritize building a supportive community within our Seedlings program and beyond. We value the role of families as integral members of our school community, and strive to provide a nurturing environment for both children and caregivers.

Why Choose Corlears?

Why Choose Seedlings at Corlears?

We know how children learn best.

Corlears teachers honor this formative stage of early childhood by implementing an emergent curriculum — one that evolves over time and is influenced by each group’s curiosity. After careful observation of the children's interests and development needs, teachers introduce new materials, re-design classroom spaces, and pave the way for further experimentation and inquiry.

Seedlings student engaged in learning during art class

Small class sizes.

Classes are formed with developmental readiness in mind, and children in the early childhood division are closely supervised throughout the day. Class sizes do not exceed 14 students, and all classrooms have 2–3 teachers present on a regular basis.

Benna and Michelle leading a sing-along in the backyard

Flexible, age-appropriate scheduling.

Programming options include 5 days/week from 8:45–11:45 a.m., with an extended-day option until 3:00 p.m., and after-school care options until 6:00 p.m. through Corlears Plus. Or, for our 2s, a 3-day flex option meeting on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:45–11:45 a.m. with the option of extending to 5 days/week as the school year progresses.

Seedlings student pointing at backyard bubbles
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Connect with Admissions 

Interested in enrolling your child at Corlears School? Submit an inquiry and a member of the admissions team will follow up as soon as possible. For any questions, email us at admissions@corlearsschool.org. We look forward to getting to know your family!

Submit an Inquiry