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.
Our Philosophy
A Firm Foundation in French
Language immersion is at the heart of our Preschool.
- In Nursery, instruction is entirely in French, led by two French teachers and an assistant. Teachers use songs, rhymes, gestures, and visuals so children naturally begin using French with confidence and joy.
- In Pre-K and Kindergarten, instruction shifts to 80% French and 20% English. Each class is led by two French-speaking teachers and a French-speaking assistant. During the daily English instruction period, two English-speaking teachers also work together in each classroom.
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.
Veronica McGivney Park
Director of Preschool
Nurturing Emotional Growth
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.
Vannina Boussouf
Deputy Head of School - Director of Primary
Committed To Student Wellbeing
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:
- A support team (a school psychologist, speech and learning specialists, administrators) working with teachers and families.
- Class sizes optimized for individualized attention.
This ensures each child is known well and cared for, fostering strong classroom communities so important to learning and growth.
A Vibrant and Safe Learning Environment
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.
Our Curriculum
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.
Language Development in all its Dimensions
Foundational Math
Discovering the World
Art and Music
Recess, Movement, and Autonomous Play
How is Progress Assessed?
What does a day in Preschool look like?
Arrival & Free Play
Free play, as a gentle transition into the day.
Early drop-off is available starting at 7:45am, for a fee.
Morning
- Rituals: greetings, songs, calendar, weather
- Workshops: language, math, science, arts (adapted to age & language level)
- Snack & Outdoor play on our secure rooftop playground
- Weekly music, PE, and English language arts
Lunch
- Served in classrooms, calm and familiar
- Healthy meals prepared daily at school by Flik
- Supervised by trained assistants (parents welcome to volunteer)
Afternoon
- Nap time for Nursery & Pre-K students
- Free play & movement time
- Circle time: reflection & language-rich interaction
- Workshops & hands-on learning
Dismissal and After-School
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.
Chris L.
Kindergarten Parent
Where next?
Mission and Values
