At UCNS, we ask children to learn by doing what young children do best – play! UCNS is a play-based, parent cooperative preschool located in Ithaca, NY. At UCNS, all children are loved and respected, and all aspects of their development—social, emotional, physical, cognitive—are nurtured. For over 50 years, UCNS has been a place that is truly focused on enriching the lives of children and families.
Children ages 3 to 5 years old are welcome to enroll at UCNS and may enroll for 2 (TTh), 3 (MWF), or 5 (M-F) mornings a week. *There is also an option to enroll for 5 days and choose which combination of days you would like your child to attend/to do 4 days. Some families have also chosen to start with 2 days and add days as the year progresses. Each day, 16 students attend UCNS, along with our two wonderful teachers and a classroom helper (s).
UCNS began as a parent cooperative nursery school on the Cornell campus in 1970 and has grown to serve both the needs of the Cornell community and the wider community in Ithaca. The 2023-2024 school year is UCNS’ 53rd year as parent cooperative preschool, working in partnership with Cornell University! We participate as a Universal Pre-K Community Partner with the Ithaca City School district.
“Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play.”
— Henri Matisse, French painter, 1869-1954
Each day at UCNS, children explore art, science, dramatic play, blocks, books, storytelling, manipulatives, and more, using a wide variety of materials, including natural and recycled objects. The classroom is constantly evolving to meet the children’s changing needs as they unfold over the school year. Teachers provide leadership as they model developmentally appropriate practice, curriculum, and their skilled, loving support of the children. Together, parents and teachers form a close community, committed to fostering healthy growth and development in each child.
Contact Us
Email: ucnsregistrar@gmail.com
Phone: 607-266-9680 (during the school year)
If you would like to learn more about UCNS, or if you have other questions about enrollment and the program at UCNS, please email the Registrar at ucnsregistrar@gmail.com, call our school office at 607-266-9680 (during the school year), or fill out our Contact Us form.
