Environment
At Buckle My Shoe Preschool, we believe children are capable, curious learners who construct knowledge through relationships with educators, peers, and their environment. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, our classrooms are thoughtfully designed with open-ended materials, multicultural artifacts, and elements from nature that invite exploration and wonder. Learning spaces are intentionally arranged to provoke inquiry and support both independent discovery and collaborative learning. We trust that children learn not only through guided experiences but also by engaging freely with their surroundings, making meaning through play, observation, and interaction.
Two spacious locations. One thriving community.
Tribeca
Nestled in the heart of Tribeca since 1981, our flagship location at 214 Church Street offers a vibrant, light-filled environment designed to inspire exploration, creativity, and connection. The space reflects our Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy, with thoughtfully curated materials, open classrooms, and an art studio that invites children to express their ideas and deepen their thinking. Just steps from neighborhood parks and cultural landmarks, our Tribeca campus is an integral part of the surrounding community and a second home to families and educators alike.
Address
214 Church Street (corner of Church and Thomas)
New York, NY 10013
Google Map Link >
Contact
212-374-1489
West Village
Buckle My Shoe Preschool’s roots in the West Village began at 220 West 13th Street—our original location in a converted carriage house that nurtured our early vision for a warm, community-driven learning environment. As our program grew, we were fortunate to expand alongside our longtime Tribeca landlord and move into a larger, light-filled space at 80 8th Avenue, right in the heart of the neighborhood.
Located on the ground floor of a landmark Art Deco building, our current West Village campus features soaring ceilings, historic architectural details, and thoughtfully designed classrooms that reflect our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. This beautifully renovated space allowed us to expand our offerings to include an Infant and Toddler program, and we are proud to now serve children from infancy through Pre-K, just like our Tribeca campus. With dedicated studio spaces, natural materials, and a strong sense of community, the West Village campus provides a rich, nurturing environment where children grow, explore, and thrive.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
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We offer individualized educational care and attention with a curriculum specifically catered to infants and toddlers with a low teacher to child ratio and extended hours in a magical environment.
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Both locations start at 3 months. Most classrooms accommodate approximately a 6-month age span.
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Parents will sign-up for a virtual group child visit (for children applying for the 2’s and up) and a school walk-through after having submitted an application.
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Yes, you will have the opportunity to walk through our locations to visit our classrooms and learn about the current student projects.
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Yes, siblings and legacies have priority when they apply at any time of the school year, provided we have space for them.
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Yes, you will have to complete a new application form. You will not need to schedule a virtual school presentation again but you will be asked to book a virtual group child visit.
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Our program includes a unique Pre-K program for 4- and 5-year olds. Our graduates leave our school confident, independent and ready to enter a new school and experience kindergarten.
“We love BMS and feel extremely lucky to have such outstanding educators take care of our son. Our son is thriving and always running in the door quickly to be with his friends. We are very impressed with their level of reporting for his development, too; they genuinely care for him. The school's communication is timely and on point every time, both through the school app and email. The facilities are also excellent, very creative and clean. We will definitely recommend them to others.” Sabrina Simonsen
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The contract covers our school year (ten months, September through June). Depending on availability, a family may enter after the start of the school year.
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Yes, Buckle My Shoe Preschool is open throughout the summer and offers three, three-week sessions of enrichment in both locations. A separate contract will need to be filled out. Students can attend one, two or three sessions. The program is open to current students, prospective and neighborhood children.
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Tuition can be paid in one or five installments electronically or by check.
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We offer help in the form of tuition reduction when eligible families submit their last two tax returns and W2’s.
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Once you sign an enrollment contract, tuition is non-refundable. We are a non-profit school and teachers are contracted for the full school year based on enrollment.
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No, when your child is enrolled in Buckle My Shoe Preschool, you do not need to submit an application every year. A new enrollment contract will be issued for each school year.
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