Located near Columbia campuses, Affiliated Early Learning Centers are independent programs serving Columbia families and those living around Columbia’s campuses.
The University provides some support to these centers for use in a variety of ways including facilities maintenance, programming, and/or financial aid, but plays no role in their governance. The centers vary in their programming, hours, age range of students, and tuition. In addition to the list below, an Excel spreadsheet of the Affiliated Learning Centers is available for download.
Unless noted below, the programs have both part-time and full-day enrollment options as well as part-time summer programs.
These centers offer an optional early notification of their admissions decisions to applicant families who are current or prospective faculty, staff, or students of Columbia University. If interested, parents should ask each center director for information. Centers cannot require parents to opt for early notification but will ask for interest in writing.
Statement from Senior Vice Provost Dennis Mitchell on the Red Balloon Learning Center
Request for Expression of Interest in Early Learning Center Opportunity
Affiliated Early Learning Centers
Arts-oriented and play-based learning
90 LaSalle Street
Tel: 212-663-9318
Starting Age: 6 months - 5 years
8:30-3:30
Financial Aid: Yes
Summer Program: Yes
Progressive, play-based learning
404 West 116th Street
Tel: 212-666-4796
Starting Age: 2 - 5 years
9:00 - 3:15
Financial Aid: Yes
Summer Program: Yes
Reggio Emilia approach to curriculum
560 West 113th Street
Tel: 212-749-3271
Starting Age: 17 months - 4.5 years
8:00-5:45
Financial Aid: Yes
Summer Program: Yes
Play-based learning with developmental curriculum
135 Route 9W
Palisades, NY 10964
Tel: 845-848-2665
Starting Age: 6 weeks to 5 years
8:00 - 6:00
Financial Aid: Yes
Summer Program: Yes
Play-based learning with developmental curriculum
60 Haven Avenue
Tel: 212-304-7040
Starting Age: 2 - 5 years
8:00-6:00
Financial Aid: Yes
Summer Program: Yes
Montessori certified program fostering
life-long learning
435 Central Park West
Tel: 212-678-6072
Starting Age: 3 months - 5 years
8:00-6:00
Financial Aid: Yes
Summer Program: Yes
Montessori certified program fostering
life-long learning
202 Riverside Drive
Tel: 212-665-1600
Starting Age: 3 months - 5 years
8:00-6:00
Financial Aid: Yes
Summer Program: Yes
A play-based program for infants, toddlers, and
preschoolers affording children opportunities
to develop peer relationships, play creatively
and integrate into a group experience
21 Claremont Ave
Tel: 212-854-9601
Starting Age: 3 months - 5 years
8:30-5:30
Financial Aid: Yes
Summer Program: Yes
Early Learning Programs at Columbia University
The following programs are at Barnard or Teachers College and serve Columbia and the community.
A first school experience for parents
and toddlers in a Barnard College lab
environment researching early
development and parenting
3009 Broadway
Tel: 212-854-8275
Starting Age: 19 months - 2 years, 10 months
9:30-11:45, 1:30-3:45
Financial Aid: Yes
Summer Program: N/A
A university-based preschool program committed to nurturing the development of bright and curious children through STEM-focused units of study and play-based experiential learning.
309 Main Hall
525 West 120th Street
Tel: 212-678-3403
Starting Age: 3 - 5 years
3's/4's class: 8:45-3:00
4's/5's class: 8:45-3:00
Financial Aid: Yes
10 percent tuition discount for current Columbia families
A Teachers College research practicum
site promoting growth and development
of infants, toddlers and preschoolers
and their families
525 West 120th Street
Thorndike Hall
Tel: 212-678-3013
Starting Age: 2 months - 5 years
8:45-5:00
Financial Aid: Yes
Summer Program: Yes