The Learning Experience - Manhattan — Local services in New York

My daughter attended TLE for pre-K and is currently enrolled in their summer camp. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the school and its administration.

While TLE wasn't the most conveniently located UPK center in relation to our apartment (which turned out to be no big deal at all), the tour experience was by far the best. From the moment we scheduled our initial visit, Jessica, the school's Managing Director, was warm, informative, and inviting. One of the only schools to invite us for a tour with our daughter in attendance, we were able to get a comprehensive view of the school and its curriculum, and get her excited for pre-K. My daughter instantly found herself at peace there, even assimilating herself into a classroom's reading circle as we checked out the rest of the school. By the tour's end, we felt really good about the educational curriculum, teachers, and administration. While the school isn't exactly filled with natural sunlight beaming in from large open windows, it was a really happy place, and just seemed like the kind of setting that I'd imagine a pre-school should be.

When we received our placement letter and learned that our daughter would be going to TLE, we were thrilled. Just prior to the school year's start, we had a lovely classroom orientation so that we could meet other families and classmates, as well the teachers. My daughter's teachers throughout the year were nothing short of spectacular. They were so incredibly attentive, dedicated, and communicative, I was continually amazed by how much they cared about my child's experience and development. Throughout the year, the school hosted holiday and seasonal parties with which we as parents were invited to participate in. There were regular opportunities to chaperone field trips, and take on as much or as little involvement in classroom activities as we liked. About once a month, there was a classroom culminating event, where the kids presented what they had been working on in recent weeks. Each morning and afternoon I'd gone in to drop-off/pick-up my child, I was always met with a smile and friendly conversation by anyone and everyone that worked at TLE. It is truly such a happy place, made up entirely of people who care wholeheartedly about the children and their families. My only regret is that I didn't know about TLE earlier on and send my daughter there for pre-school/daycare when she was younger. It was too hard to say goodbye after the UPK graduation, so I was thrilled that TLE offers a summer camp (that my daughter loves), prior to the time we move up to Kindergarten.

There is also a lot to be said for the convenience and safety at TLE. After school options and even holiday camps are available, which has been a game-changer for my work-life balance. TLE offers a ton of flexibility, and they have earned 110% of my confidence in their ability to safely and enthusiastically care for and teach my child. I also really like that they have a Reminder app that keeps me updated on need to know information, and the TLE Parent app shares photos of my daughter enjoying various activities throughout the day. After school programs like yoga and soccer are available, adding to daily enrichment. My daughter has taken away so much from just one year with TLE, I honestly could not have asked for more. I would not hesitate to send my child here-- they almost make me want to make more babies just to have reason to go back! Quite honestly, whatever your child's needs are, TLE is not only adept to handle them, they do so with utmost professionalism and compassion. They have given my child the tools she needs to move up to grade school, and it has warmed my heart to watch her grow and love this experience. You will not find better than The Learning Experience...

We looked around at many daycares in Brooklyn and Manhattan for our soon to be newborn daughter and at the last minute found TLE and set up an appointment for a tour. After we got a tour of the facilities, it was clear that this was the place for our daughter. It has not disappointed. Our daughter is now almost a year old and she absolutely loves coming to TLE every day. When we first brought our daughter to TLE after 5 months of being at home, we brought her for a few hours in the morning to get used to TLE. Not surprisingly, she cried and refused to eat. Through the TLC of Miss Etha and Miss Kendra , that stopped pretty quickly. In fact, our daughter got so attached to Miss Kendra that she literally would only take a bottle from her! Miss Kendra is effectively our daughter’s second mother and it’s amazing to know that our daughter has someone like that at TLE. The teachers at TLE are truly the best. Every one of them knows our daughter’s name and to my surprise usually knows my name as well. The teachers treat our daughter like she is their own – and as a parent, you can’t ask for any more than that. I never expected we would find a place where that would happen. For example, our daughter’s teachers have held her while she slept when she was first getting used to coming to TLE, clipped her nails when they were too long, and applied Neosporin to the scrapes incurred after many adventures learning how to walk on our watch. Now when I drop our daughter off at TLE, most days she could care less that I am leaving. She is off playing with her friends in the classroom. And the same goes for when my wife comes to visit at lunch – our daughter often comes over for a few hugs but is off playing the rest of the time. Initially I had some concern that we just got really lucky and her teachers in the Infant A room were just extraordinary and we would be disappointed when she had to move to the next room. But those concerns were totally unfounded because when our daughter moved to Infant B her new teachers, Miss Dominique, Miss Jeanie and Miss Amanda, were just as extraordinary. In fact, every morning I still take my daughter to go see Miss Dominique even though our daughter is in a different room now. Beyond the incredible teachers, Jessica and Jenna are amazing. Whenever we have needed anything, they have been so accommodating and easy to work with. They truly want to make sure that every parent feels like we do about TLE. In terms of education, although our daughter is only 11 months old, she is at or ahead of all of her milestones, no doubt partially due to the great teachers and environment at TLE. She is constantly bringing home artwork (we are going to need a dedicated room at this rate to store it) and often goes outside during the day as well. To the extent it is not already obvious, my wife and I couldn’t be any happier with our daughter’s experience at TLE. And most importantly, I’m pretty sure my daughter feels...

We’ve had such a great experience at The Learning Experience (TLE) Manhattan, where both of our children have attended starting when my oldest was 3. From the very beginning, the teachers and staff have been warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in each child. Everyone knows my children by name, and the sense of community makes drop-offs feel more like visiting family than leaving them at school. Even after my oldest moved on to elementary school, she would ask to go back just to say hi to her former teachers and she was always welcomed with open arms. She returned as a guest reader and was made to feel like she was still a part of the school. Many of the teachers have remained part of our lives through babysitting, and it’s clear how much they truly care.

During the school year, they learned so much through both structured lessons and through play. Field trips were exciting highlights and we heard endless stories about skyscrapers, plants and bugs at the urban farm, and all the discoveries they made while walking.

We’ve also done summer camp at TLE, and my children are both absolutely obsessed with the soccer coaches and the science teacher, who I have seen first hand and is incredibly funny/energetic. I’ve always received incredibly detailed reports from them about the science experiments they did, and the joy in their faces in the photos is unmistakable. These were memorable, joyful learning moments that stuck with them.

The teachers and afterschool teachers all have such great attention to detail, always remembering my children’s extracurricular schedules, making sure they weren’t out of the room on days they had to leave early for swim and telling them to have fun at xyz class.

Jessica, the director, is truly exceptional. She is so much more than an administrator. She’s the warm, friendly face greeting families every day, always available, and endlessly kind to each and every child. She’s clearly in this for the kids. Even when we run into her outside of school, she always goes out of her way and takes the time to stop and talk, and it means so much to feel that ongoing connection.

One of my favorite things about the school is the strong emphasis on kindness. With the addition of the fun from TLE characters, they learned how to be kind, caring, and respectful to others, to the earth, and even to bugs. These values have truly stayed with them and shaped the way they move through the world.

They also do a fabulous job of fostering a sense of community. After we had been there for a little while, Jessica introduced us to another family so that their child would have a friend before starting class. Thats just one small example of the way the school brings families together and makes everyone feel welcome; however, the community building has led to several long lasting friendships.

We’re so grateful for the memories and growth...