Briarcliff Nursery School

Briarcliff Nursery School is a non-profit parent-cooperative preschool that follows a program based on young children being actively engaged in concrete, hands-on experiences. The curriculum is planned for the age span of each group with attention to the different needs, interests, and developmental levels of individual children. The program includes materials and situations that arouse curiosity, stimulate thinking, promote intellectual development, support social and emotional development, and encourage children to express themselves through the arts.

• Price: Tuition was $21 per month (historical). Parents may opt out of cooperative participation for an additional fee.

Briarcliff Nursery School was established in 1947 as a non-profit parent cooperative and has owned its present site since 1955. It received its New York State permanent charter in 1956, and an addition built in 1957 is now the 2’s classroom. The school celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1997.

The school director is responsible for the educational programming, curriculum, and managing classroom teachers. Briarcliff Nursery School is supervised by a Board of Trustees, which governs the school according to its bylaws, and an Executive Committee assists with operations including fundraising, maintenance, setting tuition, and planning social events for families.

As a parent-cooperative preschool, the school offers cooperative roles in social activities, fundraising, substitution, library, maintenance, and newsletter. Some cooperative work takes place at the school and some can be done from home. The school has held three annual fundraising events: a Jingle Ball in December for parents, a social event for the entire community attended by over 400 people, and a spring carnival for the children. Many alumni have later enrolled their own children at Briarcliff Nursery School.

Last updated May 27, 2026.