KNS Philosophy & Mission

Our goal is to create an early learning community where a young child’s social and emotional growth and intellectual development can flourish. Within the context of play, our balanced program includes both structured and open-ended activities enabling children to build the skills and self-assurance needed to become confident, joyful and life-long learners. Through relationship building and interaction with a variety of stimulating materials, children are the co-constructers of classroom curriculum where they are encouraged to ask questions and become active problem solvers.

A guiding principle is that children learn best when they feel respected and nurtured. Through supportive relationships with teachers in an environment rich with language experiences, children learn not only how to express their feelings but also how to cope with them. At KNS, children learn what it means to be a member of a classroom community and what it means to be a friend.

We are committed to sharing the value of Judaism by integrating the celebration of Shabbat and Jewish Holidays into an age-appropriate program. The school is an integral part of the vibrant and long-standing Sutton Place Synagogue community.

Non-Discrimination Policy: KNS does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies and other school-administered programs.

Virtual Tour

Letter from Director

Dear Parents,

As you walk through the doors of Sutton Place Synagogue and Kaplan Nursery School, our sense of community comes alive. Kaplan Nursery School is a warm, vibrant and nurturing community. Through hands-on learning, our goal is to develop lifelong learners, who are joyful, curious and inquisitive. Through our developmental program, children have active opportunities for both structured and unstructured activities. Our emergent curriculum, allows children to become invested in units of study, while our teachers scaffold developmentally appropriate goals for each individual child.

Kaplan Nursery School is the nursery school of Sutton Place Synagogue. While we do not require membership to be accepted into the nursery school, all families join the synagogue with a reduced KNS family membership rate. Jewish values, holidays, and traditions are interwoven into our curriculum through stories, music, play, cooking, dancing, and so much more. Tkiya Music sings with the children weekly, infusing our curriculum with Jewish values and Hebrew language. Rabbi Ain meets weekly with our Pre-K children to engage in our Shabbat & Share program, leads all school Shabbat, and explores the Jewish holidays throughout the year. We value diversity, and feel our classrooms are welcoming to children from all backgrounds.

When your child joins Kaplan Nursery School, your family joins our community. We do not believe we can educate your children in isolation, as we see our involvement with parents as fundamental to our ability to educate young children. From your admissions visit, to your family’s individual visit to the classroom, to parent/teacher conferences and an active and involved KNS Parents’ Association, we develop a solid home/school connection, which extends throughout your family’s time at KNS, and beyond.

I look forward to meeting you and your child during our admissions process. Should you have any questions, please reach out.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Bennett

Director, Kaplan Nursery School

‍ ‍ lbennett@spsnyc.org; 212-826-6204

Our Teachers

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Check out the latest updates from KNS on Instagram!

Acting out the story of Passover, cooking matzah, creating a giant Haggadah in Pre-k and singing lots and lots of songs are just a few of the ways we have immersed ourselves in learning about Passover! We can’t wait to sing with our friends, teachers, parents, grandparents, siblings, Rabbi Ain and Cantor Machsi at All School Shabbat at 9:45 on Friday morning on Zoom #KNS #playbasedlearning #Passover2021 #art #music #cooking #dramaticplay

A year ago, our lives changed. KNS closed, living rooms and bedrooms became offices, we experienced loss, remote learning began and we entered a year that none of us could have ever imagined. There has been change, challenge and uncertainty, but I hope you have also found light. As I reflect on this past year, I am grateful to each of you for entrusting us in caring for and educating your children. I am in awe of our teachers, maintenance staff, clergy, synagogue staff and health committee for giving of themselves to allow us to remain in-person daily. This has not been a small job, and I don't think any of us could have imagined coming this far as a school community. To say it feels good to see your children growing, learning and discovering, each day, is an understatement. #KNS #community #inpersonlearning #grow #learn #discover #playbasedlearning #covidoneyearlater

“We❤KNS: Episode 10" 3’s parent Carla speaks of the dedicated staff at Kaplan Nursery School and shares how The teachers meets children’s individual needs, in a loving way, while forming a sense of community! Tag a friend who would love to learn more about KNS and all we have to offer. #we❤kns

Purim day is the best day! Costumes, groggers, magillah, disco lights, homemade hamantaschen, singing with Cantor Malachi and The Purim Story with Rabbi Ain!! #KNS #purim2021🎭 #SPS

Our school was taken over by superheroes, princesses, tigers, buzz, teddy bears, Mickey Mouse and so much more! Purim was so much fun at KNS! We dressed up, sang with Cantor Malachi , made noise with our groggers, ate homemade hamantaschen, listened to Rabbi Ain tell the purim story, learned about a magillah and so much more!! #kns #playbasedlearning #jewishlearning #purim2021🎭 #hamantaschen #groggers

We❤️KNS: Episode 9 Siblings are the best proof of just how much our families love KNS! Each of Ben Macklowe's two children have been through three years of KNS, and he calls this a place of "warmth, intelligence, and nurturing." Tag a friend who would love to learn more about KNS and all we have to offer. #we❤kns

Our 3’s started planting for TuBishvat but have continued to investigate through their curriculum exploration. Despite the cold weather outdoors they have been able to watch their classroom garden grow, from the roots upward! It was a delight to observe the excitement at the growth that occurred over vacation! #KNS #playbasedlearning #handsonexploration #science #plants

Jumping back into school today post mid winter recess! #KNS #playbasedlearning #movement #grossmotorskills

We❤KNS: Episode 8 3s parent, Jessica, describes Kaplan Nursery School as an extension of her family. She shares all that she and her family have gained through their experience at KNS! Tag a friend who would love to learn more about KNS and all we have to offer. #We❤️KNS

It was great to be back at school today. To say we had fun in the snow would be an understatement! #KNS #snowfun #outdoors #playbasedlearning #winterwonderland

Our awesome KNS PA delivered lthese fo our teachers this morning, to help them stay warm and safe! Feeling loved and appreciated! #KNSPA #kns #community #maskup #warmth

Issac and Manny have been busy over the past two days shoveling the snow, but looks like even they have found time to play in the snow and build a snowman. Can’t wait to return to school tomorrow, for our kids to play in the snow!

KNS is closed Monday for snow! We hope you are either staying warm inside, or enjoying the magical snow outdoors! Tag us in your photos, we can’t wait to see picture!

"We❤KNS: Episode 7” Two girls, five classes, one Parents' Association presidency, and one @suttonplacesynagogue Board seat later, and Samantha can officially say #We❤KNS. Her family's commitment to SPS is nearly as strong as an alumni as it was when her daughters attended Kaplan. Discover her story, and tag a friend who is looking for a true community in their early childhood education experience. #We❤KNS.

We have been busy learning about Tubishvat at KNS!! Planting, exploring foods that grow on trees, studying paper and recycling and celebrating the birthday of the trees have all been areas of exploration! #KNS #playbasedlearning #science #planting #happybirthday #yomhuledetsameach #israel #tubishvat🍎🍊🍋 #suttonplacesynagogue

"We❤KNS: Episode 6” Beginning a 2s program can be intimidating—especially in the midst of a global pandemic. But KNS parent Marissa found the experience safe, comforting, and nurturing, exactly what a two year old needed for his first school experience. Follow #We❤KNS for more inspiring stories straight from our parents—and tag a friend who may want to learn more about our program.

"We❤KNS: Episode 5" For Setareh—whose daughter is a Kaplan Nursery School alumni—early childhood education wasn't just about the present, but the future. Stella graduated KNS Pre-K and went on to a NYC private school. Our investment in our children's education goes so much further than our four walls—just one more reason our parents love KNS. Follow #We❤KNS for more inspiring stories straight from our parents—and tag a friend who may want to learn more about our program.

While today we honor, learn about and celebrate the life and work of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, it is everyday that we must embed this work into our teachings.

“We ❤️ KNS: Episode #4: Leah & Josh truly understand the connection between KNS and community - their oldest son is in his third year at school here, and their youngest son just started in our January 2’s Program this past week. Their highly committed involvement with @suttonplacesynagogue and Leah’s involvement as KNS PA president only strengthens their roots! If anyone can say #We❤KNS with conviction, it's Josh and Leah! Hear their story, and tag a friend who may want to learn more about early childhood education at Kaplan.

"We❤KNS: Episode 3" Starting at a new school, with twin three-year-olds, during a pandemic, takes a great deal of trust - but thankfully KNS parent Camelia and her family had our teachers and community as her support system. It's just one more reason why #We❤KNS. Follow the hashtag for more inspiring stories straight from our parents—and tag a friend who may want to learn more about our program.