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'Anti-Preschool' Expands By Adding Giant Swing, More Classes

By Emily Frost | July 7, 2015 7:35pm
 The preschool on West 96th Street has expanded by dividing rooms and now can serve 144 children.
Upper Valley Preschool Expansion
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UPPER WEST SIDE — The "anti-preschool" that opened in 2013 to much enthusiasm from local parents has nearly doubled its capacity — and added a giant indoor swing and a beanbag to give children more play options.

Upper Valley Preschool, on West 96th Street at Columbus Avenue, can now serve 144 children and infants, up from its previous cap of 86.

Owner Maria Dantos broke one larger classroom into two and walled off part of the 1,100-square-foot gym to make additional classrooms. The increased capacity was approved two weeks ago, and since then the preschool's already up from 86 children and infants to 100, she said. Dantos expects the school to be filled by the fall.

In addition to the new classroom space, the now-900-square-foot gym boasts a giant swing held aloft by metal beams.

The swing, which resembles a hammock and can be stretched and maneuvered, was donated by Making Milestones. The organization provides early intervention therapies for children with special physical and sensory needs, among others.

"They love it," Dantos said of the toddlers' response to the new equipment.

One of the new classrooms, which is not yet in use, includes giant beanbags that could easily fit half a dozen children or more. The beanbag was also donated by Making Milestones.

The preschool attracted attention for its "Brooklyn comes to Manhattan" vibe, stemming from the variety of enrichment programs — baby yoga, rock climbing, drama and French lessons — and the amalgam of educational approaches it employs.

Teachers draw from Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Bank Street and play-based early-education philosophies, Dantos explained. 

This year, there will also be an international teacher exchange, with two preschool teachers coming from a sister school in Numazu, Japan, to learn more about Upper Valley and to share elements of their culture. 

Though it is popular, the preschool aims for a laid-back take on admissions. 

"I don't subscribe to the whole 'Let's interview your child and write an essay [approach],'" Dantos said.

The parent-friendly attitude at Upper Valley extends to the physical space — there's a whole room devoted to stroller storage so parents don't have to lug theirs back and forth unnecessarily — as well as to the feedback opportunities.

Dantos encouraged the development of a parent-teacher organization, a rarity at the preschool-level.

The group, which has four officers, meets monthly and brings suggestions to Dantos that she acts on 90 percent of the time, she said. 

"[Having a parent-teacher organization] drops their guard and the us-versus-them [mentality]" Dantos said. 

"We're all on the same team," she added. 

The organization also does light fundraising through impromptu bake sales and tag sales to help support teacher development at the school. The contributions go toward professional development classes for teachers. 

The parent-teacher organzization is also a built-in network for parents, with wine tastings and other social events proving a big hit, Dantos said.

"Sometimes [being a new parent] can be alienating," she said.

Upper Valley's long hours — from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. — are meant to appeal to parents working typical New York City hours, she said. 

Full-time preschool five days a week is $2,375 a month for children 24 months to 5 years old. Full-time daycare for babies from 3 months to 24 months is $2,595 a month. The price will increase by about 5 percent after Aug. 15, Dantos said.

Parents should apply by the 15th of the month before they want their child or infant to begin. Currently there are spaces open in every age group, from 3 months to 5 years old, she added. 

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