Who We are

PHILOSOPHY

We are committed to the reality that every child is unique. We are here to provide a warm loving, supportive atmosphere in which each child may feel free to express him or herself, learn, grow and realize his or her potential.

MISSION

We create an environment which allows each child to feel safe, known, comfortable and accepted for whom he or she is. We believe that children thrive when they are loved, treated with respect and given opportunities to experience learning in a developmentally appropriate program.

We understand and acknowledge the importance of each child’s family. In doing so, we strive to maintain open and supportive communication with parents in order to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

OUR FAMILIES

Elmwood families come from all over Lower Westchester including Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Edgemont, Elmsford, Hackley, Harrison, Hartsdale, Hastings, Irvington, Ossining, Valhalla, White Plains, Scarsdale, Tarrytown, and Yonkers.

Some events that bring families together include story nights, a Turkey Trot, field trips, performances, and moving up days. We invite families to celebrate birthdays, read to the class, or share a special interest or skill. Weekly letters, monthly photos, parent-teacher conferences, and phone calls are some of the ways we keep in touch. Bring us your concerns and hopes about your child or the program. We will do the same, and together we can help our children grow and flourish. We are always here to talk with families.

OUR TEACHERS

Our early childhood team shares a depth of experience, quality of education, strength of character, and love of children. Our teachers sing, hug, cheer, care, nurture, listen, understand, and put our philosophy and mission into practice each day. We have a strong culture of collaboration. Our curriculum is planned by head teachers and specialists, with input from the directors, and facilitated by all.

TESTIMONIALS

This school is excellent. They are very creative and caring - they are play based, and yet most kids excel academically. It's because they sneak the learning in... Jane is the Director and caring but also a "nerd" about early childhood education. She is a fantastic resource and you can tell that she thrives on learning more and providing an excellent start to school. This school is excellent but not fancy. They have their own songs and a very sweet culture that includes everyone. We love it at Elmwood.

I sent both of my girls here. This school is outstanding in every way. The communication between staff and parents is fantastic.

“There are not enough words to thank you for the wonderful gift that Elmwood has been to our family for the last 5+ years. Since our daughter started mid-year in the twos, through our son’s completion of pre-k, we have enjoyed every day, every classroom, and most importantly, every teacher and administrator. You have cared for our children, introduced them to friends and learning, and have been there and supported us through difficult times. We are so grateful to have been part of the Elmwood community and we will certainly miss it in the years to come. Thank you for being such a special and trusted school for our family.”

“Our daughter’s regular updates and imitations of what went on in the day were priceless. We are beyond impressed with the progress she has made and we’re confident she’ll hit the ground running in kindergarten largely because of Elmwood!!”

“Your care and understanding of each individual child is evident. My daughter has grown so much and is sure to blow them away in kindergarten thanks to her time at Elmwood. We thank everyone at Elmwood for all they do!“

“My two children had the most wonderful year at Elmwood. We thank the directors for running such an incredible school…we all feel very blessed to have been a part of it.  Before we joined, “everyone” told us what a great experience Elmwood offers. Despite out high expectations, the directors and the teachers managed to exceed them. We love that the kids had the opportunity to work on a school newspaper, take part in a school play, resolve conflicts with peers in a supervised environment, and develop a true love of learning.

Our children have attended several daycares and schools in the area, and although they were all lovely in their own right, there is simply no comparison to what Elmwood offers. Our time here has us re-evaluating what we want for our kids’ education in the future. We would recommend Elmwood to anyone.”

“My son thanks you for teaching him how to speak Spanish and he loved doing yoga together! I appreciate all your help behind the scenes to make sure Elmwood is an amazing place!”

“My daughter came home every day happy, kinder, and a little more confident. We are so glad we made the last minute decision to send her—something we will always be grateful for. We can’t wait for our son to join next year!”