PKA is a hidden gem. We could not have chosen a better preschool for our daughter who was there for 3 years. 

We always felt she was in good hands leaving her there which was comforting, and most importantly, the teachers gave her a foundation for being a good human being. They nurtured her as an individual and also exerted strong influence in teaching her to be a part of a community. 

Their approach was holistic. An example is shopping at the farmer’s market, then preparing a meal with their purchases, and bringing them to share with their families at the year end potluck. Or initiating a “stoop” sale to raise money for children affected by the earthquake in Nepal. They collected belongings from their families, hung signs to advertise, ran the sale, counted their money, took it to the bank, and sent off a donation check! All on their own accord.  

As our daughter grew older, she was given appropriate leadership opportunities which really fostered her confidence. There’s no better testament to how happy our daughter was at PKA than how difficult it was to extract her at the end of the day! As she’s now begun kindergarten, she could not be more prepared—not just in terms of learning but in terms of emotional intelligence. 

Meg Moorhouse
Designer, Love & Victory

I am forever grateful to PKA for taking my child in and helping her develop into the question-asking, curious, confident, expressive kid she is. From day one, my child participated in open-ended conversations about current events and developed an understanding of what power, kindness and respect mean in society. The best part was the fact that the teachers allowed the children to lead their own learning. Nothing was scripted or set in stone; the teachers were there to simply guide them.

My child attended PKA during the difficult times of the COVID pandemic, but the staff was clear and straightforward with their expectations and updates through the school years. They were incredibly accommodating and understanding, and really took the time to understand each family’s unique needs. PKA is totally worth the experience!

Janet Wong
School Teacher
PKA Parent

As a parent and educator, it was really important for us to find the right environment for our daughter -- in PKA, we found a school that recognizes, embraces, and celebrates each child's individual identity, emerging intentions, curiosity. We are completely satisfied with the education and experience that our daughter is receiving at PKA. Sharon has been absolutely wonderful to Esmé and our family. I can’t imagine a better preschool experience for her or for us. Our daughter walks around with astonishing self confidence, interest, curiosity, stamina, and self possession. She is much more engaged in her life at home, in the natural environment, and social situations. We are sad that she cannot continue, but know that, because of PKA, she is all the more ready for preK.

Luke Janka
Assistant Principal
Lyons Community School

As working parents, we initially sought out a safe, nurturing, happy place for our daughter. We found that and so much more at PKA, where all kids are truly allowed to be themselves. Individuality is celebrated. Three years later, we're confident that the bright, spunky kid we now walk to elementary school blossomed because of PKA and its community.

Tawnya Crawford
Parent

I could not feel more fortunate to have found the most incredible preschool for my 3 daughters. From 2008 through 2015, PKA was a huge part of my family’s life. My oldest daughter started school at PKA when she was 2 and from the moment I walked through the door (on my tour), I just knew I had found someplace that was truly magical. Her two sisters followed in her path, and were all lucky enough to spend their preschool years at PKA, surrounded by the most loving, warm, insightful, creative and caring teachers.  People often comment on how different my 3 girls are in personality, and I truly attribute this to an amazing preschool where children are always encouraged to be themselves, make their own choices about everything and are free to grow and thrive as individuals. Through play, they learned all of the academic essentials that they needed to know when it was time to move on. Most importantly, at PKA my girls learned the gift of kindness, friendship, and to always feel confident and proud of whom they are...and I have seen for myself that this gift has stayed with them. I am forever grateful.

Alyson Kupferberg
Mother of Maya, Maggie & Jules

PKA is amazing. What a gift to not only not have to worry at all when I drop off my child at school, but also to have two truly dedicated, talented highly trained gifted preschool teachers teaching my child and most importantly truly loving and caring for my child.  My daughter had a great time. The structure of the school day was the best part. It was exactly what she needed.  My daughter had two other preschool experiences prior to PKA. The first one, her first year was okay, but not structured enough and the teachers were obviously not trained. Most parents there had their children in new schools the following year.  The second private preschool was a disaster. We were there for a month and then we pulled our daughter out and then we had the luck of getting into PKA. It was a dream. We loved it and we can not thank the school enough. Tzippy came home with new yoga moves that she learned from her yoga teacher, Shavon, singing songs she learned from her music teacher, Brian, and quoting her teachers. My daughter began the ambitious project of continually teaching me about what is and is not earth-wise, what is and is not healthy, and pointing out all the letters she can now recognize on the streets and in the apartment and they potty trained her!  Her teachers provided Tzippy with copious amounts of art lessons. Tzippy came home talking about Souza and Pollack.

The administration was kind and professional and the field trips were fantastic. I can not recommend PKA highly enough. 

 Zohar Hicks
Mother of Tzippy Hicks

PKA is a nurturing community dedicated to the social, emotional and intellectual development of the child as a whole. From the moment we walked in the door, both my daughter and I felt welcome and safe. The school was immaculate and organized while simultaneously exuding a sense a serenity and focus on the children with a well-developed, age- appropriate curriculum. This is our daughter’s second year and in both classes, the educators have been wonderfully caring and have excellent knowledge of the developmental spectrum of their respective age groups. Their focus on discovery and the exploration of community and the larger world is so inspiring; every day my daughter comes home with something amazing to share. The establishment regularly utilizes a wide variety of community resources to further the collective experience.

I simply cannot recommend PKA highly enough to those in search of the perfect environment for their child!

Lynn Jones
Parent

Professional. Kind. Awesome. 

We are lucky to live in a community that supports family well being. PKA is diverse, educated and is interested in shaping the best experiences for our children. We love PKA! My daughter has been attending PKA since she was 2 years old in their full-day program. She started in the Littles class among a wonderful little community. I love that in the morning, the Littles (2's) and Bigs (3's 4's) are separated for their individual learning but then together in the afternoon. I love that PKA has a curriculum and that they "travel the world" with handmade passports. I love that they make a lot of art. My favorites so far have been the 10 foot Pollock-esq splatter painting, the planets mobile and the rocket-ship hat. Free play is important too and PKA has been able to provide a good balance between free play and structured learning. I love that they take afternoon walks around the neighborhood and talk about what they see. I love that they have tiny toilets and sinks that are just their size. I love that the classroom walls are blank at the beginning of the year and filled with the kids artwork and energy by the end of the year. I love that they talk about fire safety and how to safely cross the street. I love that the teachers can improvise and provide new plans as necessary. I love that the kids go on field trips and experience the outside world with their classmates. I love that the kids spend time at the Botanic Gardens and the Brooklyn Museum. I love the pot-luck gatherings where the families and staff from both locations get to hang out and get to know each other.

What I love the most are the staff and teachers who form amazing and unique bonds with each of the children. I love how present the teachers are and how seriously they take the care of our kids. They always answer any question or concern with a kind heart and helpful nature. PKA is a wonderful place for your toddler to just be. Where they can be who they are and celebrated for it. 

Deana Acheson
Parent