Choosing the right preschool or pre-kindergarten program is crucial for your child’s early development. In hopes of making the process a little bit easier, we compiled a list of some options in Central New York:
Bright Beginnings Nursery School
Where: 601 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville, NY.
More information: brightbeginningscny.com.
Bright Visions Early Learning Center
Where: 7333 O’Brien Road, Baldwinsville, NY.
More information: brightvisionselc.wixsite.com.
Cazenovia Children’s House
Where: 2757 US-20, Cazenovia, NY.
More information: cazkids.org.
Creative Environment Day School
Where: 531 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville, NY.
More information: creativeenvironmentdayschool.com.
Gingerbread House Preschool and Childcare Center
Where: 3020 Court St., Syracuse, NY.
More information: thegingerbreadhouse ofsyracuse.com.
JCC of Syracuse
Where: 5655 Thompson Road, Dewitt, NY.
More information: jccsyr.org/children-and-teens.
Jowonio School
Where: 3049 E Genesee St., Syracuse, NY.
More information: jowonio.org.
Kid Central CNY
Where: 7463 Buckley Road, North Syracuse, NY.
More information: kidcentralcny.org.
Koala Kare Childcare Center & Preschool Program
Where: 3476 Route 31, Baldwinsville, NY.
More information: koalakareccc.com.
Learn As You Grow Childcare Centers
Where: 3711 Milton Ave., Camillus, NY (Camillus center); 8381 Elta Drive, Cicero, NY (Cicero center); 158 Highland Ave., Syracuse, NY (Highland center); 5684 South Bay Road, Cicero, NY (North Syracuse center); 120 N. Orchard Road, Solvay, NY (Solvay center).
More information: learnasyougrowccc.com.
Little Lukes Preschool
Where: 5820 Heritage Landing Drive, East Syracuse, NY (DeWitt location); 8282 Willett Parkway, Baldwinsville, NY (Radisson location); 10 Burkle St., Oswego, NY (Oswego location); 706 S. 4th St., Fulton, NY (Fulton location).
More information: littlelukes.com.
Liverpool KinderCare
Where: 3787 Canvasback Drive, Liverpool, NY.
More information: kindercare.com.
Manlius Pebble Hill School
Our Pre-Kindergarten program offers a nurturing, play-based environment where young learners engage in hands-on, multi-sensory activities that spark curiosity and imagination. With a focus on developing the whole child, our thematic curriculum integrates literacy, math, science, and social studies, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, fostering a sense of belonging and confidence in each child. Our dedicated educators guide students through daily explorations that promote social-emotional growth and academic readiness, setting the stage for a successful educational journey.
Experience the difference of an early education that values joy, discovery, and community at MPH. (Extended Day afterschool care is included with Pre-Kindergarten tuition).
Where: 5300 Jamesville Road, Syracuse.
More information: mphschool.org.
Montessori School of Syracuse
Where: 155 Waldorf Parkway, Syracuse, NY.
More information: mssyr.org.
North Syracuse Early Education Program
The North Syracuse Central School District has designed its Early Education Program to be a fully integrated preschool opportunity for children 3 and 4 years of age. Young children who have special needs participate in a child-centered and socially stimulating learning experience with their preschool peers.
We provide ongoing screenings of your child’s early learning and social skills. Small and large group instruction is provided by certified teachers, speech therapists, and licensed occupational and physical therapists.
Special benefits include: a daily large motor activity; safe and secure public school facilities; and a nutritious snack for all children, plus lunch for all full day students – free of charge.
Where: 205 S. Main St., North Syracuse, NY.
More information: nscsd.org/earlyEducation.
Northminster Early Childhood Center
Where: 7444 Buckley Road, North Syracuse, NY.
More information: northminsterecc.com.
Our Community Preschool
Where: Christ Community Church, 3644 Warners Road, Syracuse, NY.
More information: ourcommunitypreschool.com.
PEACE, Inc.
Where: 110 Oswego St., Baldwinsville, NY (Baldwinsville Head Start); 1125 W. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY (Genesee Head Start); 1507 James St., Syracuse, NY (James Street Head Start); 25 North Main St., Jordan, NY (Jordan Elbridge Head Start); 2779 Route 11 N., LaFayette (LaFayette Head Start); 911 Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool, NY (Liverpool Head Start); 175 Hudson St., Syracuse, NY (Merrick Street Head Start); 215 Bassett St., Syracuse, NY (Sumner Head Start).
More information: peace-caa.org.
Peanut Butter Nursery School
Where: 126 S. Terry Road, Syracuse, NY.
More information:peanutbutternurseryschool.com.
Playschool Preschool
Where: 408 Pleasant St., Manlius, NY.
More information: firstbaptist-manlius.org/playschool.
Rothschild Early Childhood Center
Where: 450 Kimber Road, Syracuse, NY.
More information: rothschildearlychildhoodcenter.org.
Small Wonders Daycare Center
Where: 960 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse, NY.
More information: elmcrest.org/early-education.
Together We Grow
Where: 7020 Manlius Center Road, East Syracuse, NY.
More information: togetherwegrowdaycare.com.
Village Nursery School
Where: 310 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville, NY.
More information: thevillagenurseryschool.com.
West Side Nursery School
Where: 303 Kasson Road, Camillus, NY.
More information: westsidenurserycamillus.com.
WHOLE ME
Where: 990 James Street, Syracuse, NY.
More Information: wholemeinc.com.
YMCA of Central New York
Where: 8040 River Road, Baldwinsville, NY (Northwest Family YMCA).
More information: ymcacny.org.
Finding the Right Fit
We asked a few local programs what parents should consider when choosing a preschool or pre-kindergarten. This is what they said:
Manlius Pebble Hill School
- Class size.
- Overall approach to education.
- Pre-literacy skills development.
- Amount of outdoor play time.
Montessori School of Syracuse
- Focus on each child’s individual academic and social development.
- High quality Montessori and manipulative materials.
- Multi-age classrooms with an emphasis on interpersonal skill building.
- Trained Montessori teachers.
PEACE, Inc.
A parent should consider a program that:
- Builds strong social/emotional skills as the foundation for successful relationships.
- Encourages learning through play.
- Engages families in their child’s learning as parents are their child’s first teacher.
- Creates welcoming and safe learning environments, both indoors and outdoors.
- Welcomes children with disabilities and builds on the child’s strengths.
For after-school activities and programs in Central New York, click here.
