The Manhattan Directory of Private Nursery Schools

Rating:
Summary: The Only Book on the Subject
Review: Sadly, if you have a small child in Manhattan, you probably need this book. The best I can say for it is that it is thorough. Although the book claims that it is the only source for information not written by the schools themselves, it might as well be by the schools themselves. Don't expect the book to make any judgements about any schools. This text simply presents the information in the way that the schools' promotional literature presents it. No judgements are made.
The authors have clearly "drunk the kool-aid" on the whole admissions process, as well. There is no healthy discussion as to whether interviewing 3 year olds is sensible or desireable. The book simply gives you the raw material to help you throw fuel on the fire that is the private preschool racket in NYC.
This inability to question itself or laugh at itself comes out in the prose as well-- resulting in accidental humor. Over and over again the reader is subjected to sentences such as: "Preschool activities include... blockbuilding (to discover math and aesthetic concepts)." Wow. Thanks for explaining that.
Cloying prose aside, the book would benefit from a kind of time-table. Most parents really want to know "WHAT do I need to do, and WHEN do I need to do it?" For example, under admissions, it often says "applications are given out in mid September" when the reality is that if you don't call for the application the Tuesday morning after Labor Day, you will not receive one! THAT would be some useful information.

Rating:
Summary: The Only Book on the Subject
Review: This is the only book available on Manhattan nursery schools. (Other information can be obtained through the Parents League.) The authors' book is thorough and factual, giving parents a complete introduction to early childhood schools, including admissions, school contact information, and school portraits. As a New York City educational consultant, I recommend this book as a starting point to all of my clients with young children.

Rating:
Summary: The Only Book on the Subject
Review: This is the only book available on Manhattan nursery schools. (Other information can be obtained through the Parents League.) The authors' book is thorough and factual, giving parents a complete introduction to early childhood schools, including admissions, school contact information, and school portraits. As a New York City educational consultant, I recommend this book as a starting point to all of my clients with young children.