Toddler Programs for 10-24 Months | Corlears School | Chelsea, NYC

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About

Designed for wonder, Corlears provides children with a learning environment built on trust and rooted in love.

Our Toddler Program provides safe, nurturing, and intentionally designed environments where children are encouraged to explore freely—investigating their interests, developing confidence, and cultivating a sense of discovery and belonging. These meaningful daily experiences support growth across all areas of development—social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative—while honoring the individual way each child learns, grows and engages with the world.

We offer two programs with several schedule and separation options, which you can explore more in depth below.

Eligibility

Caregiver & Me: 2-day Program

Children must be 10 months old on or before January 5 to be eligible for a fall start.

Gentle Separation: 2- or 3-day Program

Children must be 12 months old on or before September 1 to be eligible for a fall start.

For children turning 2 on or before October 1, check out our Nursery classrooms.

Schedule Options

All toddler classrooms follow a part-day school schedule.

Caregiver & Me Program

Runs from January–June
Meets 2-days per week (T/Th)
Meets from 8:45–10:15 a.m.

Gentle Separation Program

Runs from September–June
Choose 2-day (W/F) or 3-day option (M/W/F)
Meets 8:30–11:00 a.m. (Sept–Jan), and extends to 8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. (Jan–June)

Pricing

Caregiver and Me

The Caregiver and Me program will begin in January and run from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

2-Day (T/Th): $6,000

Gentle Separation

Gentle Separation runs from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Sep- Jan) and 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Jan- Jun). Families can choose to enroll for 2 or 3 days.

2-Day Option (W/F): $18,480
3-Day Option (M/W/F): $26,400

How to Apply

There's no simpler way to start your child's Corlears journey than applying for the Toddlers!

Submit your application today. Applications submitted for the following school year that are received by our admissions application deadline will be given priority decisions. After the deadline, rolling admission may continue as space allows, and decisions are prioritized by date of submission.

To apply, submit an application on our website; following submission, you will be prompted to pay a $50 application fee. Once you have applied, a member of our admissions team will reach out to discuss next steps, including a private tour.

Toddlers recommended for reenrollment in our Nursery School are not required to go through a more lengthy admissions process and will instead follow the school's simplified reenrollment process.

Staffing

Each classroom is capped at 10 students, led by a Head Teacher and supported by 1-2 Associate Teachers or Classroom Teaching Assistants. At Corlears School, all Head Teachers hold Master's degrees in Education, in addition to role-specific certifications. Head Teachers are supported by Associate Teachers and Classroom Teaching Assistants who may hold a variety of early childhood-related degrees in addition to years of experience working with very young children.

Gentle Separation

For ages 12-24 months

This program is designed to support children and families as they begin their school journey with a more focused approach to separation.

Through meaningful relationships and a responsive, nurturing environment, teachers build authentic connections with children, creating a strong sense of trust, and belonging. As children feel known, valued, and cared for, they develop the confidence to explore, take risks, and independently engage in the classroom community.

Teachers partner closely with caregivers to support a gentle, individualized, intentional separation process (typically taking anywhere from 4–12 weeks), organically building children’s comfort, stamina and eventually leading to a fully independent school day.

Caregiver & Me

For children 10+ months old

This program is designed to support children and families in their first school experience. Through a meaningful, collaborative process, child, caregiver, and teacher work together as co-learners to build foundational skills needed to thrive in a classroom environment.

Our Caregiver & Me program offers an introduction to the separation process. As children grow more secure in the classroom, caregivers are gently supported in stepping back, allowing for increasing independence. The pace of this transition is individualized and guided by each family's needs, helping ensure a positive and successful experience for everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Toddler Program Questions, Answered

1. What enrollment options are available in the Corlears Toddler Program?

The Corlears Toddler Program offers flexible enrollment options to support children at different developmental stages:

Caregiver & Me (2-day program): Designed for children ages 10+ months, this program allows caregivers to participate alongside their child while building comfort and confidence in a school setting.
Gentle Separation (2-day or 3-day schedule options): Designed for children ages 12–24 months, this program supports children as they gradually transition toward an independent classroom experience through a responsive, individualized separation process.

Both programs provide nurturing, play-based learning experiences in intentionally designed classrooms led by experienced early childhood educators.

2. What makes the Corlears Toddler Program unique?

Corlears combines play-based learning, responsive teaching, thoughtfully designed classrooms, and strong partnerships with caregivers. Teachers follow each child's curiosity and interests to create meaningful learning experiences that support every area of development.

3. What is a play-based toddler program?

Play is how toddlers make sense of the world. Through open-ended exploration, conversation, relationships, and hands-on experiences, children develop language, problem-solving, social-emotional skills, creativity, and independence. At Corlears, play is purposeful and guided by each child's curiosity.

4. What is an emergent curriculum?

An emergent curriculum grows from children's questions, interests, relationships, and discoveries. Rather than following a rigid lesson plan, teachers observe children's thinking and design experiences that deepen learning across literacy, math, science, art, language, and social-emotional development.

5. How do teachers support toddler learning?

Corlears teachers are co-learners, caregivers, and partners in each child's learning journey. By observing, listening, asking thoughtful questions, and extending children's ideas, teachers create meaningful opportunities for exploration while ensuring every child feels known, valued, and supported.

6. Corlears calls itself a 'Yes' environment. What does that mean?

A "Yes Environment" encourages children to explore, make choices, experiment, and take ownership of their learning. Classrooms are intentionally designed with accessible, open-ended materials that invite curiosity while supporting children's independence and confidence.

7. How are families involved in the Toddler Program?

Families are valued as partners and co-learners. Teachers and caregivers work together to understand each child's interests, strengths, development, and identity, creating a strong partnership that supports children's growth both at school and at home.

8. How much does the Toddler Program cost?

Current tuition for both the 2-day Caregiver & Me and 2-day or 3-day Gentle Separation programs is available above or on our Tuition page. Tuition varies by program option.

9. I enrolled my child in the 2-day option and I'd like to change the number of days or program they attend. Can I do that? Families will still choose a starting pathway, and as your child is ready and pending discussion with teachers about readiness, you'll be able to shift toward more days or more independence without needing to change rooms, teachers, or routines.

10. Where is Corlears School located?

Corlears School is currently located in Chelsea, Manhattan, serving families throughout New York City with progressive early childhood education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and Pre-K students.

We’re still fully open and will move to a beautiful new space being built for us in the West Village. We look forward to sharing more updates with you soon.

Building exterior spring 2024 - background

Connect with Admissions

Interested in enrolling your child at Corlears School? Submit an inquiry and a member of the admissions team will follow up as soon as possible. For any questions, email us at admissions@corlearsschool.org. We look forward to getting to know your family!

Submit an Inquiry