MINI-MATERNELLE
“Play is the work of childhood” – Piaget
Every day at LLS is spent in rich, exploratory, child-led play. We offer children beautiful spaces, meaningful materials, and an environment that is at once free and structured. Our program offers a unique hybrid of outdoor and classroom-based learning. We spend several mornings a week exploring nature in Fort Greene Park, where children develop deep connections with and appreciation for the natural world around them.
At LLS, we know that the best learning is hands-on, so our goal is to help children build on their own discoveries. Our warm, creative teachers serve as guides and facilitators, encouraging children to take the lead whenever possible. Through their own explorations and curiosities, the children lead us to each year’s emergent curriculum. From mapping the neighborhood to advocating for soil with the design of a garden, or raising shrimps, our children are deeply engaged in projects that are important to them. The inherently collaborative nature of this work and play means that they are continuously communicating with their peers and teachers, and provides opportunities for meaningful language development leading to fluency in French for all.
2025-2026 ADMISSIONS
This year marks LLS’s 20th anniversary offering Early Childhood programming to families like you. With this milestone, we are honored to announce that we have expanded our school to a new location in Clinton Hill, at 475 Clermont Avenue.
After 18 years of watching children grow within our community in Boerum Hill, we are transitioning to a new space in Clinton Hill. This is more than a new chapter in our life—this is not just a move into a new space.
We are writing the proverbial book on the merits of bilingual education and moving into a future of interconnected awareness that addresses the pressing issues of our time—the environment and social justice—through art and child-centered education.
Our new space is designed to embody these values. It will serve as a hub where children, families, and educators come together to experiment, innovate, and grow through mindful, community-centered initiatives. This environment will be a platform for launching new projects, exploring different modes of artistic expression—and all of it in French.
Our new space will serve children
ages 1 to 5 with four distinct programs:
Les Tout Petits
Ages 1-2
THREE day program or FIVE day program
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
9:30am – noon or 2:30pm
La Petite Section
Ages 2-3
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
9:30am – noon or 2:30pm
La Petite Section
Ages 3-4
Monday – Friday
9:30am – 2:30pm
La Petite Section
Ages 5-6
Monday – Friday
9:30am – 2:30pm
There are no French language requirements to attend our Mini-Maternelle program – only an openness and desire on the part of the parents or guardians for the children
to learn a new language!
We also offer an early drop off option from 8:30am.
Students may additionally register for “l’Atelier” every day from 2:30pm to 4pm or 5:00pm.
Both of these programs require a minimum enrollment of five children to be offered.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
FOR NEW STUDENTS
TO APPLY FOR 2025-2026
APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR NEW STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR 2024-2025
Please note: we are fully enrolled for the 2023-24 academic year. However we welcome you to join our waiting list. Please reach out to us if you are interested.
1.
2. Attend our Fall 2024 Discovery Day open house.
3. Admissions notifications will be sent in March 2025.
4. Enrollment confirmation and non-refundable tuition deposit are due within
one week of acceptance.
4. Enrollment confirmation and non-refundable tuition deposit are due within one week of acceptance.
5. Complete your enrollment agreement.
MEETING AND TOUR
When you fill out your application we will invite you over to our 2024 open house event. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about the school and meet our teachers and for us to meet your family and see if the Mini-Maternelle is the best fit for your child. You will learn more about our unique program, our mission, and our philosophy.
Re-Enrollment
Current (2024 – 2025) Mini-Maternelle parents who wish to enroll their child(ren) in the following school year receive information on how to do so directly from LLS in November.
Financial-Aid
Financial Aid is processed through LLS. Parents who would like to be considered for financial aid must submit a separate application to SSS via their Family Portal. LLS’ school code is 201197
Financial Aid applications open in the fall, and the deadline to submit is December 15, 2024.
Applicants are notified of a tuition assistance award, if any, when admissions decision letters are issued in February/March 2025.