Early Childhood Center at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
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Overview
Educational philosophy
Progressive / Play BasedPrograms offered
Infant · Toddler · 2s · 3s · Pre-K
Annual tuition
$19K – $33K / yr
School continues
Through Pre-K
Financial aid
Not offered
Sibling & legacy
—
The Early Childhood Center at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue is a Reggio Emilia-inspired, play-based Jewish preschool on the Upper West Side (Lincoln Square), founded in 1949 within the Reform congregation Stephen Wise Free Synagogue. It serves children from parent-child baby and toddler classes through half-day 2s and 3s programs to a full-day Pre-K (4s/5s), with an emergent, project-based curriculum enriched by a full-time art studio, a children's library, and a rooftop playground. Enrollment requires synagogue membership. An ISAAGNY and Parents League member, the ECC prepares children for kindergarten and follows the ISAAGNY March notification cycle, offering early notification to members and sibling families.
Programs & Schedule
Schedule
1 day/week · 11:15am–12pm
Extended hours
No
Tuition
Contact school; 2026-27 rate; [Detail: Baby Buds / parent-child 'baby and me' class, 3-12 months] Reggio-inspired short session, 11:15-12:00; $55/members, $65/non-members per session (drop-in style short series). Membership not required. Enrichment class, not full-time infant care; annual tuition not applicable. This is the school's only infant-age offering (serves_infant flag = parent-child classes, NOT infant daycare).
Schedule
2 days/week · 9:15am–10:30am
Extended hours
No
Tuition
Contact school; 2026-27 rate; [Detail: Seeds of Wonder / parent-child 'Grown-Up and Me' class, 12-24 months] Semester-based (not annual): 22 sessions, Members $1,575 / Non-members $2,200 (Fall 2026). Two tracks: Tue/Thu 9:15-10:30 or Wed/Fri 9:15-10:30. Membership not required but priority to members/ECC applicants. Enrichment class, not a preschool enrollment; annual tuition left blank.
| Schedule option | Tuition / yr |
|---|---|
| 2-day (Tue-Thu) · 8:45am–12:15pm | $18,940 |
| 3-day (Mon-Wed-Fri) · 8:45am–12:15pm | $21,400 |
| 5-day (Mon-Fri) · 8:45am–12:15pm | $28,380 |
Schedule
Monday – Friday · 9am–1pm
Extended hours
Yes · until 2:45pm
Tuition
$30,115 / yr
Schedule
Mon–Thu 9am–2:45pm · Fri 9am–1:15pm
Extended hours
No
Tuition
$33,055 / yr
Admissions
Leadership
Miriam Kalmar
B.A. Psychology, Yeshiva University; M.S. Early Childhood & Elementary Education, Bank Street College of Education. In early childhood education since 1999; ECC director at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue since 2007; multiple Reggio Emilia (Italy) study tours
Ex-missions
Ex-missions refers to the process of applying from preschool to Kindergarten or an ongoing school. Schools with dedicated ex-missions support actively guide families through ERB testing, school visits, and applications.
Where graduates go
Private kindergarten & elementary
30 schoolsPublic kindergarten & elementary
6 schoolsSee the full list of schools graduates go on to — with counts and sources.
Culture & Community
Reggio Emilia-inspired, constructivist, play-based progressive early childhood program infused with Jewish values and identity. Children are viewed as capable, strong and rich with wonder; teachers act as researchers who document children's learning through notes, photographs and recordings, and design intentional, light-filled environments as the 'third teacher.' An emergent, child-centered curriculum with in-depth projects that can span weeks or months, complemented by a full-time studio arts program, library, gardening/environmental education and Jewish ritual.
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