OUR HISTORY.
Buckle My Shoe Preschool was founded in 1981 by Linda Ensko, an educator from a family of teachers and lifelong learners. With a vision to create a preschool rooted in creativity, exploration, and community, Linda opened the very first BMS in a small carriage house in the West Village. It quickly became a warm, joyful space where children’s curiosity and imagination could flourish.
Just four years later, as more families were drawn to BMS, Linda expanded to Tribeca—becoming one of the very first preschools in the neighborhood, where she also lived as a local resident. In a poetic twist of history, both the West Village and Tribeca schools are housed in former bank buildings. In fact, Linda once did her banking for the school in the exact Tribeca space that would later be transformed into a preschool full of light, learning, and play.
Over the past four decades, Buckle My Shoe Preschool has grown into a vibrant learning community while staying true to Linda’s founding vision: a place where children are seen, heard, and supported, and where families and educators partner together to nurture a lifelong love of learning. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, our classrooms continue to be designed as spaces of possibility—where storytelling, collaboration, and creativity shape the foundation of each child’s journey.
BMS in the News
Over the years, Buckle My Shoe has been recognized for its unique approach to early childhood education and its commitment to creating inspiring learning environments. Our work has been highlighted in local and national publications, celebrating the ways children, families, and educators come together in our community.
From features on the importance of play-based learning to articles about the Reggio Emilia philosophy in New York City, our story has been shared across a range of platforms. We’re proud to have been part of conversations that elevate the voices of children, showcase the power of creativity in early learning, and highlight the role of schools as spaces of innovation and connection.
These articles serve as a living archive of our journey—from our early days in the West Village carriage house, to our pioneering presence in Tribeca, to the thriving, joyful community we are today.