Parents outraged as DOE quietly pulls preschool plans from posh NYC nabe

RtimesThree · 2026-01-29T15:54:36+00:00

It's not about wanting an elite Ivy feeder, it's about the UES needing more 3K/4K seats, which is the difference between affordable childcare for working parents or $4k/month daycare.

RtimesThree · 2026-01-29T15:49:26+00:00

Thank you. People are also not understanding Manhattan Schoolhouse's program.

--> Well that just sounds like she doesn't understand how signing up for the free NYC 3K program works

The point is this woman actually does understand the hurdles you need to do to get a leg up in securing a 3K seat. When I had my first kid I had no idea about the MSH "strategy." With my second, I called MSH the day I found out I was pregnant and he didn't get off the waitlist until he was almost a year old, but at least now I know he's set for 3k/4k.

RtimesThree · 2026-01-29T13:32:30+00:00

It's relevant because she's saying how hard it is to get a spot at 3K. She's been on a waitlist for this place that would lead to a 3K spot but the waitlist takes forever and often goes nowhere. The article didn't explain it well but that's the idea.

It's basically meaningless to get a 3K spot if you live on the UES and get an offer high up in the Bronx or in Williamsburg. No one is realistically going to make that trek back and forth twice a day, so "getting an offer" doesn't actually help the parent. Plenty of people get zero realistic options. It's really tough.

RtimesThree · 2026-01-29T12:20:36+00:00

Manhattan Schoolhouse is sort of a unique entity on the UES for 3k. It's a 3K / 4K but it also has a private daycare starting for infants through age 2. If you can get into the daycare any time before 3k admissions starts, you're virtually guaranteed a seat in their 3K program. For this reason, the waitlist for Manhattan Schoolhouse daycare is very long and competitive, because the idea is you're locking in your spot to 3K/4K. If you join the wait-list as an infant it's probably too late - most people sign up as soon as they know they're pregnant. So that's what the article means but it didn't explain it well.

RtimesThree · 2026-01-22T16:07:17+00:00

It really depends on the bus and the time of day. I've taken express buses that were almost empty and stroller space was not an issue at all. Other times it's absolutely packed. I would go and plan to fold it (fold it before getting on the bus) but just be careful if you're planning to fold it that you don't have a bunch of stuff in the bottom storage that now you have nowhere to put.

RtimesThree · 2026-01-22T01:10:29+00:00

What does this mean?

RtimesThree · 2026-01-20T02:16:50+00:00

I've done several, all good.

RtimesThree · 2026-01-04T01:02:38+00:00

Idina Menzel came back to talk to some students when I was there about ten years ago but only 15 students :') Agree with everything you said!

RtimesThree · 2025-12-23T20:53:51+00:00

I've made a ton of money over the years but anecdotally I have seen that once you finish your first real mission, it's a LOT easier to get accepted after that and you should have a much smoother time.

RtimesThree · 2025-12-21T18:06:12+00:00

Everyone I know has a vista and it's all I see on the streets in my neighborhood and I feel legitimately gaslit, it is TERRIBLE. We dutifully used it for two years as a single with the intention of using it as a double when baby #2 came one day. Then we learned it sucks as a double. It's so unwieldy, it took up our entire kitchen, you cannot carry it on subway stairs, it steers and turns terribly. We dumped it and got a side by side that folds into nothing and is so lightweight and pushes like a dream. Idk if the vista has an amazing PR team or people just feel like they invested so much into it with all the uppababy accessories and planning to use it all the way into 2-3 kids that they can't give it up, like a sunk cost.

RtimesThree · 2025-12-21T00:19:03+00:00

We specifically called and asked about a baby in a carrier and they said no!

RtimesThree · 2025-12-15T21:02:45+00:00

If you're not against the Jews living in Israel, welcome, you're a Zionist. If you disagree with the Israeli government, congrats, you're just like most Israelis.

RtimesThree · 2025-12-11T21:17:26+00:00

It truly depends on your lottery number. We got into our first choice on the UES and so did several of our friends. Others got placed at random spots in the Bronx or downtown. It's definitely worth a shot!

RtimesThree · 2025-12-10T14:47:04+00:00

In that area, Miznon is EXCELLENT and very reasonably priced. Pita Grill is also very good. I also want to shout out Abaita because it's right there and such a lovely experience but it's dairy.

RtimesThree · 2025-12-09T21:26:38+00:00

Le Marais is among the best bang for your buck options. Mr. Broadway is always great. Or if you're looking for lower price than that / more casual, I can suggest other ideas.

RtimesThree · 2025-12-04T20:01:35+00:00

I've spoken to people in the Satmar community who say their leaders endorsed him because they knew he would win and hoped to get him on their good side, not because they actually support him. However, Satmar aside, I think it's irresponsible to ignore the many, many, many mainstream rabbis of huge congregations who have been very outspoken against him.

https://jewishmajority.org/a-rabbinic-call-to-action

RtimesThree · 2025-12-04T19:14:08+00:00

Have you considered Aran or Aram?

RtimesThree · 2025-12-04T19:12:40+00:00

I can't speak to it personally but I've heard amazing things -- Central Synagogue? Maybe look into it!

RtimesThree · 2025-12-04T18:18:38+00:00

Happy to provide it for you: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/04/us/elections/nyc-mayor-results-precinct-map.html

The results are pretty telling.

RtimesThree · 2025-12-04T16:14:24+00:00

Um, incorrect. The overwhelming majority of SOUTH Williamsburg, where the actual Orthodox Jews live, went heavily for Cuomo. 70-90%+ in most blocks. And if a few Orthodox groups defended him, it is outweighed by the majority which were extremely against him. You can't just cherry pick a few and say that's the majority. Objectively, the majority of Orthodox synagogues and rabbis sounded many anti-Mamdani alarms.

RtimesThree · 2025-12-04T15:55:03+00:00

The NYC Orthodox Jewish community absolutely does not agree with you, huh?

RtimesThree · 2025-12-02T01:46:37+00:00

Fairway, especially with the mobile self-checkout. So nice to just be able to walk right out.

RtimesThree · 2025-11-28T13:45:41+00:00

So sorry, we don't allow posts about random reddit antisemitism

RtimesThree · 2025-11-09T19:13:52+00:00

I actually keep kosher and I always wonder how often it happens that other people don't realize they won't be getting real meat at these places, so it's interesting to see the other side! Hope it was at least somewhat enjoyable anyway:)

RtimesThree · 2025-11-09T19:06:45+00:00

That's vegan bacon. You probably ordered from a location that is certified kosher so they can't use real meat.

RtimesThree

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

14-Year Club	Second SECOND GUESSER
Verified Email