Our History
Nearly 80 years of nurturing young minds
The School Was Founded
The School was founded by a group of mothers. The school opened its doors in the Briarcliff Recreation Building under the direction of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Churchill. Tuition was $21 per month. The school moved two years later into the music room of the Law Mansion in Scarborough. In 1950, Briarcliff Nursery School was in the Bernard McFadden School in Ossining.
The idea of preschool was a bit radical. Critics believed that nursery schools were for working mothers only. They considered it a babysitting service for mothers who just wanted to “get rid of their children so they could drink cocktails and play bridge!” Luckily, the founding parents realized how important the early years are and persevered.
Briarcliff Nursery School Acquired a Permanent Home
A former dance studio and our present-day location. The school purchased the site for $11,000. The money came from an anonymous gift of $1,500, $3,000 in bank savings, and $6,500 in bonds purchased by the parents. Briarcliff Nursery School received its New York State permanent charter in 1956.
As the story goes, the building was owned by silent screen ball dancers. The office was their bedroom. They taught and filmed in the front and back rooms. The area under the loft in our back room was the camera pit.
An Addition Was Built
Now our 2’s Classroom. The Gronauer family, whose children and grandchildren have attended Briarcliff Nursery School, donated $5,000. David Bogdanoff, a builder and a Briarcliff Nursery School Dad, built the addition at cost.
The school held 3 annual fundraising events: a Jingle Ball in December for parents, a social event for the entire community which was attended by over 400 people, and a carnival in the spring for the children.
The School Celebrated Its 50th Anniversary
The school celebrated with a gala at Sleepy Hollow Country Club. The event was coordinated by Briarcliff Nursery School alumni and mother of two students, Heather McVeigh. Her father was president of the Executive Committee from 1971-1972.
Many alumni have sent their own children to Briarcliff Nursery School. It is always so much fun for a grandparent when they return with their grandchild. As a parent cooperative, the continued success and longevity of the school is due to the commitment and hard work of now two generations of parents.