Welcome to The Indy Lab

at The Play Place in Elmsford, NY

Cooperative Preschool | Nursery & Preschool | Before School Care

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Nursery & Preschool

A Quality Stars of New York Program

Rated an “Exceptional Level of Quality” Program by Quality Stars of New York

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The First Step Matters

We believe in following a child’s lead to help them build on their skills. By having different themes each week, children expand their understanding of that theme by learning new words in Playful Literacy, how to be curious and ask questions in STEM and pretend to play using that theme in Drama.
Read our Mission

“Hands down the best decision we could have made for our little one. While researching preschools and daycares, we were focused on finding a place for our pandemic firstborn to be safe and learn to socialize. We found exactly that and more with The Indy Lab. The educational component and learning through play has been incredible. We've been amazed at the benefits/results of playful literacy - within the first week we could see the advancement in speech, communication, observation and vocabulary. Frida (the director) and her team are absolutely wonderful - professional, caring - and the fact that my little one asks to go to school speaks volumes to the environment that's been cultivated there. I can't say enough good things about The Indy Lab. We just absolutely love it and are so happy that we found it!”

Luca’s mom / Read our Google Reviews

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As seen on Ms. Rachel!

As seen on Ms. Rachel’s Preschool for Littles episodes!

Playful Learning is a combination of guided play and uninterrupted, free play which is the foundation of our core curriculum.

Our Core Segments

View Our Schedule

PLAYFUL Literacy

Our Playful Literacy segment teaches early literacy concepts through play using multi-sensory activities. Concepts like letter to sound correspondence, rhyming, sound identification, book awareness and comprehension skills are all a component.

More about Playful Literacy

sports & dance

Our amazing facility has a kid-sized tennis court, basketball court, soccer field and dance studio. Each day, students will participate in a 30-minute class. Our sports and dance coaches design lessons that improve motor skills through fun games!

More about Sports

DRama & stem

Every day, children rotate through our drama room which is set up for a dramatic play scenarios related to our weekly theme to get kids to pretend! Then in STEM, their thinking skills are enriched through hands-on projects and science experiments!

More about STEM

“We love, love, LOVE the indy lab. I have toured many schools and daycares in the area for my (then) 2-year old and there's no competition. The teachers don't just love and care about the kids-- they are 100% engaged when teaching them! Aside from knowing that my child is cared for, he learned SO much. STEM, drama, sports, playful literacy, art (I'm probably forgetting some?)... Wow! And they shared so much with me about my child and what he did and learned each day. Don't wait on this place. Enroll now, even if it's just a few days a week. You won't regret it.” - Max’s Mom, Google Review

Our Philosophy

At the Indy Lab, the traditional concept of a nursery and preschool is transformed into an engaging and dynamic learning environment. The curriculum is built upon the principles of inquiry-based learning, where children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate, and discover answers through hands-on experiences. This approach nurtures their natural curiosity and instills a lifelong love for learning.

Child-centered education

We place the child at the center of the learning process. Each child is recognized as a unique individual with their own interests, strengths, and learning styles. The curriculum is tailored to meet the specific needs of each child, allowing them to develop at their own pace while fostering a sense of confidence and independence.

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL FOCUS

Recognizing the importance of social and emotional skills, we place great emphasis on fostering a positive and inclusive community. Students learn essential social skills, empathy, and emotional regulation through collaborative play, group projects, and engaging interactions with their peers and teachers. This holistic approach ensures their overall well-being and prepares them for future social interactions.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

We believe in the power of experiential learning. Children actively engage in hands-on activities, such as science experiments, art projects, gardening, and nature exploration. By immersing themselves in these experiences, children develop a deep understanding of concepts, enhance their cognitive skills, and make meaningful connections to the world around them.

integrated steam education

With an increasing focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), we integrate these disciplines seamlessly into its curriculum. Students engage in age-appropriate STEAM activities that encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. These early experiences lay a strong foundation for future academic and personal success.

View our Tuition Rates by Cohorts

Calendar

School Year 2024-2025

School Closures

Labor Day | September 2, 2024

Professional Development | September 3, 2024

Rosh Hashanah | October 3, 2024 and October 4, 2024

Indigenous Peoples’ Day | October 14, 2024

Superintendent’s Day | November 5, 2024

Veteran’s Day | November 11, 2024

Thanksgiving Recess | November 28 - November 29, 2024

Martin Luther King Day | January 20, 2025

Professional Development & Lunar New Year | January 29, 2024

President’s Day | February 17, 2025*

*Part of Mid-Winter Break

Professional Development & Superintendent’s Day | March 31, 2024

Memorial Day | May 26, 2025

Juneteenth | June 19, 2025

Last Day of School: June 25, 2025 (Dismissal by 12:15pm)

Breaks

Winter Break: December 23, 2024 – January 1, 2025

Mid-Winter Break: February 17, 2025 – February 21, 2025

Spring Break: April 14, 2025 – April 18, 2025

HALF DAYS FOR STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Staff meetings are required by our Quality Stars program. During these meetings, we will be covering educational plans, accommodations for students as well as reviewing and comparing notes to prepare for parent conferences.