11 Jun Pusteblume International Preschool
Pusteblume International Preschool, founded in 2012 as New York City’s first licensed non‑profit preschool to offer full immersion in both German and Spanish, breaks new ground with its innovative, multilingual early‑education vision.
The beautifully appointed, sun-filled, spacious facility is located in Chelsea, near multiple playgrounds and parks and steps away from major subway lines with elevator access.
A Vision Driven by Global Citizenship
At its heart, Pusteblume embraces the philosophy that learning begins with experiences, exploration and play, leading to inquiry and reasoning. The school’s mission is to cultivate lifelong learners and international citizens, nurturing traits like self‑discipline, creativity, confidence, and respect through inquiry‑based exploration and play in the classroom and beyond.
Truly Immersive Multilingual Experience
Offering immersive environments in German, Spanish, or a dual weekly immersion model, Pusteblume serves children ages two through five. The curriculum, led by native‑speaking faculty, weaves language learning seamlessly into music, movement, literacy, science, math, and visual arts. This interdisciplinary, total immersion fosters genuine fluency, laying a strong linguistic foundation that benefits academic success and cognitive development.
Inquiry-Based Curriculum That Engages
Pusteblume’s pedagogy fuses international teaching methods with progressive American practices. It emphasizes inquiry and exploration—both in the school environment and through NYC’s vibrant surroundings. Whether investigating in the classroom or exploring neighborhoods, museums, parks, children learn organically and joyously.
A Flexible, Family-Centric Approach
Understanding modern family dynamics, Pusteblume designed a flexible model supporting full-day, morning, or part-time attendance, including extended-care options. Rolling enrollment further accommodates diverse needs, reflecting a deep awareness of today’s working and stay‑at‑home families.
Non-Profit Ethos and Community Engagement
Operated by a volunteer board under a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Pusteblume continuously reinvests in its programs and staff. The board and Parent Community actively contribute to school events—from holiday bazaars to cultural festivities —creating a vibrant community atmosphere that is open to all.
Seamless Transition to Continuing Education
Recognizing the balance between immersion and integration, the school includes weekly English “circle time” by the educational director. This ensures students are equipped to transition smoothly into English-speaking pre‑school or kindergarten settings, without sacrificing academic continuity.
Extending the Immersion Experience
Beyond its core preschool program, Pusteblume offers enrichment classes across German, Spanish, and emerging Mandarin tracks. These include soccer, dance, art, and music for ages 3–12, along with holiday camps and Saturday enrichment programs. Such offerings reinforce language and cultural fluency even after preschool, solidifying its pioneering role in multilingual education.
Pusteblume International Preschool’s integration of immersive language instruction, inquiry‑driven curriculum, and strong community engagement paved the way for a new paradigm in early childhood education.
By prioritizing multilingualism, independence, creativity, and global awareness, Pusteblume empowers its students to grow into adaptable, empathetic, and intellectually curious world citizens—a vision both groundbreaking and deeply relevant in today’s interconnected world.
Location:
Pusteblume International Preschool
244 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10011
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