About Us
Park Avenue Methodist Day School (PAMDS), located on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan offers 75-80 pre-school children and their families an opportunity to embark on an educational path completely focused on the child's growth and individual talents. In a warm and exceptionally caring community, experienced and dedicated teachers support the child as he or she develops a sense of how to succeed in a community. PAMDS's warmth, inclusiveness and emphasis on partnership with parents are distinguishing characteristics that have greatly enhanced the early development of hundreds of young children. This first school experience helps build the foundation for the next phase of their lives.
Park Avenue Methodist Day School welcomes children to either a morning or afternoon session for the school year, from mid-September to the end of May. There is also an eight week Summer Camp in June and July.
PAM Day School occupies space on the fourth floor of the Church's parish building. It has one very large classroom divided into two sections and a common area for play and block building. Each morning and afternoon a group of three-year-old children and a group of four- and five-year-old children gather in their assigned area for various activities. Each group routinely visits a small but inviting library and a large well equipped play area on the roof one floor above. The Church also provides a part of a parishioner's hall for meetings, play on rainy days, and admissions receptions. Finally, there is a large room in the basement adapted as a play area available to the children. By New York standards, PAMDS has generous multi-use space.
The classroom is cheery, well maintained and filled with inviting learning materials and toys. Children each have a coat cubby and space in which to keep their belongings. In light of the fact that all of the teachers and children operate in this space, children quickly learn the importance of order and cooperation. A visit to the room quickly demonstrates that there is a sense of purpose and joy pervading the facility. Everyone shares, waits their turn and helps out. PAMDS's facilities are in good repair, inviting to children and adults alike, and meet the needs of the current enrollment and program.
For more information on how to reach us, please view the Contact page.
Our Roots
The School began in 1954 when the Collegiate School needed space for its kindergarten to meet. The Park Avenue Methodist Church was able to help by providing a room. Then, a few years later, Collegiate discontinued its kindergarten, and that was when the Church decided to develop its own non-sectarian, preschool program, which continues to enjoy a fine reputation in the community.
Our Staff
Beth Slack, Assistant to the Director
Our Contact section helps you reach our administrators and teaching staff by phone or email and also shows you how to get to the school.
Our Activities
Teachers provide the materials and create an environment so that the activities are child-centered and child-initiated.
Throughout the week, the children select from a variety of activities available to them including:
- easel and table painting
- cooking
- writing and drawing
- art
- block building
- sand and water play
- dress up and dramatic play
- small table games and puzzles, and manipulatives (such as Lego, pegboards, Magnatiles, etc.)
The teachers select materials that match the interests and developmental levels of the children, changing them to higher levels as the children progress.
Large group activities or meeting times are held each day, when teachers read books and sing songs with the children.
Play is the learning tool for children at this age.
These creative activities build the foundation for later educational skills such as social studies, math, literacy, and other disciplines.
The school has a large, roof top playground where children are free to climb equipment, run, use wagons or bikes, and build structures with large, hollow wooden blocks.
Parent Involvement
Parents are welcome visitors in the school, often bringing special skills and expertise to enrich the classroom.
Parents support the school through a variety of volunteer activities, such as annual fundraising events and family social gatherings.
The inviting lending library is completely run by parents who spend time at the beginning of class to check out books for children and shelve the returned books. Younger children may check out one book per visit and older children may take two books.
Many parents have made lasting friendships through their involvement in these school activities.