Good old-fashioned daycare - UWS

Under two is really hard. For 2-4 I can help. Younger than that, not so much. :o(

Thanks West 81st. The lack of services in this neighborhood for under 2 is incredibly frustrating. I much prefer the idea of semi-structured activities with other children to one-on-one nanny time. She gets enough one-on-one mommy time ;)

Try Basic Trust. I know many people who have sent their kids there. Also, the Bank Street Family Center is wonderful, but I think they don't have a lot of room...

Last I checked, the Twin Parks schools accepted babies and toddlers part-time (two or three days a week, 8-3 or so). It's as expensive as a nursery school, though. I've heard about (presumably less expensive) home-based day cares from other parents. It might be something you can ask around about at the park on weekends, when working parents abound.

Thanks.
I think I ruled out Basic Trust for some reason, but will look at it again. Did not come across Twin Parks in my initial search so will check them out as well. $15k for 2 days a week is a little startling and we were hoping to avoid an ivy-prep nursery school, but a good suggestion nonetheless. Thank you both :).

Private schooling in manhattan very much reminds me of the wedding/bridal industry. "If you charge it, they will pay...."

Day Care Gets Orphaned: http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/28142/

Tender Care at the West Side YMCA.

Check out the Parent League for suggestions and advice www.parentsleague.org. It primarily focuses on private schools but I found it useful for other sources as well. Also have you considered a shared nanny? It wont be a structured setting like you prefer but wont be one-on-one either.

West81st - If your offer still stands, I would appreciate any insight into preschool for 2 year olds in the neighborhood. I seem to be producing offspring faster than expected and our daughter is almost 1 so it may be time to start thinking about this. Many Thanks!

Anyone have any feedback on the River School at 75 WEA?

No problem. Offline/e-mail is probably better. My address is my SE screen name at gmail.com.

uwsmom, I love Riverschool. My son's been going there since he was 7 months old. They have 2,3 and 5 day options all full day. I don't think there's half days available. Of course, you can drop them off and pick them up whenever you want but you'll pay the same price. The school uses the playground across the street. The class sizes are small. All the kids seem happy and all the teachers we've had are very loving and really in touch with the kids. You should go tour it -- you can drop by anytime for a tour. That alone was a big selling point to me. They're confident enough that things will be running properly that they don't limit perspective parents to only certain times for tours.
There's likely to be a long waiting at any daycare in the city. So you might want to get on the lists while you're still deciding what one would work best for you.

I completely agree about River School. My son has been going there since he was five months old. We have been thrilled with all of his caregivers and the administrators are great as well. Definitely recommend checking it out to see if it might be the right fit for you.

My daughter goes to Noteworthy Preschool and she loves it. It's on 86th btwn Columbus and CPW - noteworthypreschool.org or 212-595-3506
I know they are full this year but I am sure they are accepting applications for upcoming years, not sure how soon. I did it the Fall before we began; 2010.
We have been there 2 years and it is a really special program.