Blog

Welcome to the PLNY Blog. We are pleased to share knowledge and tips from parenting experts and esteemed educators. We hope you’ll check back often to make parenting in NYC a little easier!

Early Childhood Independent Schools Preschools 6 mins reading

Mon, April 7, 2025

8 Types of Preschool in NYC

Learning accumulates and accelerates in busy young minds. Understand the differences, and similarities, of preschool programs available in New York City.

All Ages Independent Schools 4 mins reading

Wed, February 5, 2025

NYC School Notification Dates 2024-25

Elizabeth Ainslie, Director of Technology & Communications

Be sure to have these important application deadlines and notification dates on your calendar during the school admissions process. Many New York City private and independent schools follow these guidelines for notifying families of school acceptances and waitlists.

All Ages Parenting 15 mins reading
Tue, April 8, 2025

Teach-back Technique for Close Communication

By Kelly Fradin, Pediatrician and Author As parents know, most children have a team of people involved in their care:…
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Uncategorized 10 mins reading
Tue, April 8, 2025

Abel and Thriving

By Christopher Seeley, Head of School, St. Thomas Choir School We’ve been reading a lot lately about the crisis among…
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Elementary Age Independent Schools 4 mins reading
Tue, April 8, 2025

10 Tips for NYC Kindergarten Applications

Applying for kindergarten at NYC independent and private schools seems complicated, especially if you didn't grow up here. Or even…
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Middle & High School Age Parenting 5 mins reading
Tue, March 11, 2025

Beyond AI: Why Voice Matters

By Ashleigh Bell Pedersen Nearly a year ago, a robot named Sophia went viral for her D’Youville University commencement speech,…
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Early Childhood Preschools 6 mins reading
Tue, March 11, 2025

Choosing Your Child’s Preschool – Wisely!

By Ann Levine, Parents League School Advisor Making a great choice for your child’s preschool is an obvious end goal,…
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All Ages Independent Schools 3 mins reading
Wed, March 5, 2025

Surviving the Waitlist for NYC Independent Schools

What does it mean to be on a waitlist? Do waitlisted students get accepted? We answer these important questions and…
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All Ages 10 mins reading
Tue, February 11, 2025

Why Raise a Bilingual Child?

A Personal Story from Vanessa Handal-Ghenania, Founder of Petits Poussins Bilingual Daycares and Preschools in New York City As someone…
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Early Childhood Independent Schools Preschools 5 mins reading
Tue, February 11, 2025

Love and Learn: It’s Time to Decide

By Ann Levine, Parents League School Advisor Welcome, you’re here, you did it! The results are in (almost!) and as…
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Elementary Age Independent Schools 2 mins reading
Tue, February 4, 2025

Tips for Parents During NYC Kindergarten Admissions Week

It is Kindergarten admissions time in NYC private schools. Finally, you know your options! What should you do next?
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All Ages 10 mins reading
Mon, January 13, 2025

A Parent’s Perspective: Finding the Just-Right Educational Setting for My Daughter

By Julie Kandall Director, Columbus Pre-School I have been an educator far longer than I have been a parent. For…
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Independent Schools 12 mins reading
Mon, January 13, 2025

Looking at Progressive Education: How to Decide if It Is a Good Fit

Progressive schools in a variety of ways ask parents to step back so that students can step up. This doesn’t…
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Middle & High School Age Parenting 10 mins reading
Mon, December 9, 2024

Growing Up in Public: Overemphasis on College Admissions

Colleges don’t “dig up dirt” on social media. Overemphasis on college admissions sends the wrong message about what truly matters.
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Early Childhood Parenting 8 mins reading
Fri, December 6, 2024

Making Time for Connection: Why It’s Important in Early Childhood

Spending a few moments with a shared experience to connect and learn about your child as an individual is incredibly…
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Middle & High School Age Parenting 11 mins reading
Mon, November 11, 2024

The Challenges of the Middle School Parent

Decades of research show that the middle school years are the number one most challenging time in the life of…
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All Ages Child Development Parenting 14 mins reading
Thu, November 7, 2024

Student Achievement: Is It Ever Enough?

By: Jennifer Breheny Wallace, Author When William, my oldest child, started sixth grade, I somehow became convinced that the clock…
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Independent Schools 3 mins reading
Tue, October 29, 2024

The Kindergarten Child Interview: Common Questions

Families often ask us how they can prepare for the interview process for kindergarten. You can take simple steps with…
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Early Childhood Elementary Age Independent Schools Middle & High School Age 3 mins reading
Tue, October 29, 2024

Financial Aid for Private School: Common Questions Answered

What is Financial Aid? Will applying for financial aid affect my chances of getting into a private school? Our helpful…
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Middle & High School Age Parenting 8 mins reading
Tue, October 8, 2024

Why Voice Matters—and How to Harness It for College Admissions Essays

When students embrace the dedicated writing and revising process that the strongest personal essays demand, a wonderful thing happens: they…
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Early Childhood Early Childhood Development 10 mins reading
Tue, October 8, 2024

Zero to 3: Raising a Child in NYC

Even before your baby is born, you begin to plan for childcare. Will it be in or outside your home?…
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All Ages Independent Schools 103 mins reading
Tue, October 1, 2024

School Open Houses Fall 2024

Visit independent schools and learn about their programs! Looking for the current school open house calendar? Access the current calendar…
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