Our mission is to provide a quality, non-sectarian nursery school education, aimed at stimulating imagination and intellectual curiosity in a warm and nurturing environment. Our play-based, developmentally appropriate, curriculum offers enriching experiences in socialization, language arts, visual arts, early math, science, dramatic and imaginative play, sensory play, fine and gross motor development, social studies and nutrition, and encourages personal growth, empathy and kindness in each child.

Since 1954, the Riverdale Presbyterian Church Nursery School has been providing a nurturing, developmentally appropriate, hands-on educational experience for the children of Riverdale and its surrounding communities. Started in the basement of the historic Greyston mansion in North Riverdale (now a conference space for Teachers College / Columbia University), RPCNS has carried its legacy of engaging not just young children, but their families, and the community, to establish relationships which are responsive, rewarding and collaborative.

RPCNS is housed inside the Riverdale Presbyterian Church, an official New York City landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. RPC is of the Late Gothic Revival style, and its charming interior offers a cozy and warm environment, perfect for young children.

RPCNS offers a variety of programs for children and their families. 

Our nursery school serves children 3 - 5 years old and runs for ten months  from September through June. We also offer a summer program for children 3 - 5 years of age.

Our 3K and PreK classes (funded by the NYC DOE and free to all NYC families) operate M-F, from 8:40am - 3:00pm.

We offer an early drop off program starting at 8 am, and an extended day program from 3:00 - 6:00 pm.

We are pleased to offer Toddlers Together @ RPCNS for younger children. Children ages 16 months (& walking) to 36 months can join Michelle Byron on our private, nature filled playground to play, explore, & create in the great outdoors. We offer morning and and afternoon sessions.

RPCNS offers a fun and engaging Summer Program- Explorations in Nature, which runs from June through Mid-August.

Children learn with their whole bodies - their minds, eyes, noses, mouths, ears and skin. Children also learn from their prior experiences, families, cultures and communities. We at RPCNS make sure that all of these different parts are working together to ensure the best possible learning experience for each child.

Activities are always developmentally appropriate, hands-on and multisensory, and encourage children to be critical thinkers.

Children at RPCNS also develop a sense of empathy which encourages meaningful and productive social interactions with their peers, and with the world. 

RPCNS prides itself on the partnerships we establish with our families, which always include open, mutually rewarding communication and a shared vision of what each child's learning experience should be. These partnerships are extremely important to us and are the cornerstone of our program's mission to serve not just children, but their families as well.

3s & PreKindergarten at RPCNS is a rich program for children who are 3 and 4 years old. In collaboration with the NYC Department of Education, we are proud to enroll children as part of 3K & PreK For All. The city-funded program offers free preschool to children who are residents of New York City, from any of the boroughs. For those families from nearby Yonkers and Westchester, we offer private pay schedules as well.

3K & PreKindergarten hours are 8:40 am - 3:00 pm.

3K & PreK offers 3 & 4 year olds the opportunity to engage in an emergent curriculum where interests guide their studies. In addition to extensive time on our wonderful playground and property, rich classroom centers are curated in dramatic play, blocks, writing, art, reading, maker space, science, and movement and while they are facilitated by teachers, the children take ownership in the classroom as well. These special years in nursery school is meant to foster independence, autonomy, collaboration, and problem-solving; key skills to a successful educational journey. This developmentally appropriate curriculum reflects the 3K Explorations and PreK Foundation for the Common Core and is filled with inquiry, and engagement.

Family involvement is a very important part of RPCNS. From the moment children enroll with us, their families become part of the RPCNS family. There are several ways for parents and caregivers to be involved:

Parent Organization:  Every family joins the Parent Organization, pays a small amount of dues at the start of the year, and is encouraged to participate in nursery school life. This can be through digital communication, attending an event, participating in the classroom, volunteering, attending a Chat with Tara, and so much more!

Joining a committee is a wonderful opportunity to have a voice in the way the nursery school operates and grows. Volunteering to be a Class Parent and joining new committees each year are just some of the fun ways to get involved and get to know your fellow parents.  Your support for the ongoing high quality education at RPCNS is essential!

Events: RPCNS holds many events during the year which are fun and bring us together!  Some events involve the whole family while other events are just for parents. Each year these events change to meet the interests and celebrations of the children.

Communication: RPCNS aims to establish a mutually rewarding and ongoing dialogue with each family to ensure a productive learning experience for each child. We invite you to reach out anytime.