In Preschool, students are already beginning their journey as citizens of culture and courage. Our classrooms are joyful, structured, and intentional, with purposeful play guided by clear learning goals and a strong focus on language.
Accredited by both the French Ministry of Education and New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), our program combines small class sizes and a student-centered, project-based approach.
Language immersion is at the heart of our Preschool.
Children do not need to speak French or English to join the Lycée’s Nursery and Pre-K programs—young children pick up languages naturally. However, conversational French is strongly recommended for Kindergarten.
We know that early immersion is the most effective way to help students attain comfort and mastery in language and culture. Children in early immersion programs build robust language and cognitive skills, and reap more benefits of being bilingual.
Our teachers use the RULER approach—developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence—to help children Recognize, Understand, Label, Express, and Regulate their emotions in developmentally appropriate ways. Our teams also use positive discipline and restorative practices to guide behavior through empathy, reflection, and relationship-building.
A fundamental aspect of our Preschool program is Social Emotional Learning, helping students to understand themselves, their emotions and those of the people around them. Being able to acknowledge and accept their feelings helps children to learn better, to be creative and be happy.
Children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and connected. Our teachers create nurturing environments where every child is valued, and where their unique background enriches the classroom.
Students benefit from:
This ensures each child is known well and cared for, fostering strong classroom communities so important to learning and growth.
The Lycée’s secure campus features dedicated play spaces, including a safe rooftop recess area, vibrant libraries, music and art rooms, gymnasiums, and light-filled classrooms.
The Lycée requires all parents/guardians and caregivers to wear a Lycée ID badge or visitors’ badge on campus.
The Lycée's Preschool curriculum, developed from the French education system, organizes skills and knowledge into three-year cycles, offering a foundational approach to learning. Our Preschool program constitutes Cycle 1, where children develop language, social, motor, and early academic skills in an environment designed to spark curiosity and independence. Every day, Preschool students participate in workshops— activities designed to target specific skills. Children work autonomously or in small groups, guided by teachers and assistants.
Free play, as a gentle transition into the day.
Early drop-off is available starting at 7:45am, for a fee.
The Lycée offers families many fee-based Preschool clubs and after-care options, which can extend the day until 5:45pm.
Our experience has been stellar–the Lycée family is a great community, and the staff are wonderful, warm, and accommodating. Being an ex-teacher myself, I’m glad to know my daughter is in good hands.
Every year, all Kindergarten students embark on an immersive outdoor learning field trip to Central Park, designed to spark early curiosity about science, biodiversity, and the natural world around them.
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At the Lycée, all Pre-K and Kindergarten students engage in the tradition of monthly self-portraits, an essential exercise in the French preschool curriculum that serves as a vital tool for tracking early child development.
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