Playgarden Prep Tribeca

Playgarden Prep Tribeca is a Preschool in New York, NY. Founded in 2007, the school serves children from 3 months through 5 years, offering a progression of programs that begins with adult-accompanied Early Learning classes for infants. As children grow, the school provides 90-minute drop-off Preschool Readiness sessions for those 18 months and older, focusing on early independence and social-emotional skills. The core Preschool and Pre-K programs, designed for ages 18 months to 5 years, utilize a Montessori-inspired curriculum that emphasizes STEAM, language, and literacy. The educational approach combines Montessori principles with other methods such as Reggio-Emilia, Waldorf, High Scope, and Play-Based learning. Classrooms are designed to be inclusive, supporting diverse learning styles with a low student-to-teacher ratio to foster confident, independent learners.

The Tribeca location is housed in a converted 8,000-square-foot warehouse space featuring 11-foot ceilings, skylights, and oversized windows. This setting supports what the school describes as the largest indoor playground in New York City, providing a clean, safe environment for unstructured play. The school’s leadership team includes Elizabeth Gilliard as Head of Schools, Megan Sanchez as Educational Director, Brittany Lucas as Facilities Director, and Skylar Gamble as Enrichment Director. The institution also offers support for kindergarten admissions, helping families navigate the application process for private schools and preparing children developmentally and academically for the next stage of their education.

The school is located at 95 Franklin St, just off 6th Avenue and Church Street. It sits near the Dream House museum and the Textile building, with the public artwork Mini-Bean also within a short walking distance.

Playgarden Prep Tribeca stands out in the New York preschool sector for its unique blend of extensive indoor play space and a multi-method curriculum dedicated to whole-child development. By combining a large, light-filled physical environment with a structured progression from infant classes to Pre-K, the school addresses the specific needs of young learners in the Tribeca neighborhood.