About Us
Spuyten Duyvil Preschool, also known as the Spuyten Duyvil Infantry, was established in 1928.
Once a cooperative program run out of the homes of a small group of families, Spuyten Duyvil Preschool has grown to accommodate many more families in the Riverdale/Kingsbridge community.
Our huge, sunny facility, along with its playground and garden, allows the children to enjoy the freedom to play and learn in a safe and secure environment.
Our staff, one person for every six students, provides a superior level of professional supervision while enabling every student to develop learning and social skills at a unique, individual pace.
For more information on how to reach us, please view the Contact page.
Our Staff
The director and three head teachers at our school hold Master's degrees in education and permanent New York State certifications. The staff at our school is culturally diverse, reflecting the population of our student body. We have a ratio of one teacher for every six students.
Teachers hold regular meetings with parents at least twice a year, and they and the director are available to meet at other times as needed. The school psychologist also advises the staff and is available to consult with parents.
Our Contact section provides a full roster of our professionals, including an easy way to reach the staff by phone or email.
The teachers provide developmentally appropriate curricula, meeting children's needs on an individual basis.
Our Activities
Teachers provide the materials and create an environment so that the activities are child-centered and child-initiated.
Throughout the week, the children select from a variety of activities available to them including:
- easel painting
- cooking
- writing
- art
- block building
- wood working
- sand and water play
- small table games and materials (such as Lego, puzzles, pegboards, etc.)
The teachers select materials that match the interests and developmental levels of the children, changing them to higher levels as the children progress.
Large group activities or meeting times are held each day, when teachers read books and sing songs with the children.
Play is the learning tool for children at this age.
These creative activities build the foundation for later educational skills such as social studies, math, literacy, and other disciplines.
The school has a large, sand-filled outside play area where children may climb, ride wheeled toys, or experiment with water using buckets and sand toys.
The natural environment lends itself to exploration: Children collect and examine bugs, worms, leaves, rocks, and other objects.
Children are encouraged to use these collected natural materials for both scientific and artistic projects.
Parent Involvement
Parents are welcome visitors in the school, often bringing special skills and expertise to enrich the classroom.
As members of a cooperative, parents support the school through a variety of volunteer activities, such as annual fundraising events and family social gatherings.
Many parents have made lasting friendships through their involvement in these school activities.
Parent representatives also serve on the Board of Trustees of the school.
Spuyten Duyvil Preschool parents stay in touch with each other via their private Yahoo Group, which all Spuyten Duyvil parents are invited to join.