Introducing the Montclair Preschool of L’Alliance New York

You might have heard the word on the street that L’Alliance New York is expanding our renowned preschool program to our Montclair, NJ branch starting this fall. Since 2008, the Montclair Campus of L’Alliance New York has educated children, teens, and adults—and in 2017, we expanded our offerings to toddlers with half-day and full-day French à petits pas classes. Now, due to increased demand from parents, we’ve officially created The Montclair Preschool of L’Alliance New York—and in a fresh new space, too!

Modeled after the success of The Manhattan Preschool of L’Alliance New York, this program is taught entirely in French by early childhood educators for a fully immersive language experience (proven to be deeply beneficial to children). Specially crafted for toddlers with or without previous exposure to French, the curriculum will gently introduce them to reading, writing, numbers, science, and the arts through a wide range of activities.

We sat down with Marie-Catherine Glaser, Director of the Montclair Campus of L’Alliance New York, to discuss this exciting news, and how the preschool will benefit the next generation of Montclair’s French learners. 

Tell us about the newly renovated space that will house the Preschool.

The Montclair Preschool of L’Alliance New York is located in a local landmark building, within walking distance of vibrant downtown Montclair. We fully renovated the second floor of this historic three-story red brick school building and it looks beautiful! It’s a space we can really be proud of, that reflects our excellence. Visitors are really impressed by the transformation. The classrooms are large and bright with high ceilings, offering a stimulating environment for young learners. The lucky summer campers are the first to experience this revitalized space, and the energy there is already amazing. We look forward to welcoming our preschoolers for back-to-school!

What prompted the decision to expand the Montclair Campus to include a preschool program?

The idea of a Preschool began in 2015 starting with a weekly after-school enrichment French class offered in a local elementary school. Overwhelming enthusiasm from parents led to a daily before-school program offered at our former location for ages 5-11. This success sparked a demand for even more comprehensive French language learning for younger learners. We responded by introducing toddler classes, initially offered once a week for 90 minutes. These classes proved so popular with parents who loved seeing their little ones thrive in the immersive French environment, that we expanded the program to include multiple sessions per week with longer durations. This flexibility catered to families seeking a more comprehensive introduction to French for their toddlers. The enthusiastic response to these expanded toddler classes ultimately fueled the idea for a full-fledged preschool offering immersive language learning.

What are some of the benefits of having your child attend a French immersion preschool?

Research shows the earlier children begin learning a second language, the more proficient they can become. Weekly introductory classes can spark interest, but consistent exposure through immersive programs like our preschool fosters true fluency. This early exposure not only lays a strong foundation for spoken language but also sets the stage for biliteracy–the ability to read and write in both languages. By starting between the ages of two and a half and five, children gain the tools to continue building on their language skills even beyond an immersion program, becoming truly bilingual. This is because early exposure allows them to acquire language naturally, similar to how they learn their first language, rather than needing to learn the complexities of grammar and writing systems later.

What sets L’Alliance’s preschool programs apart from others in the area?

Unlike other language programs, we specialize exclusively in French, allowing us to develop unmatched expertise in immersive language learning. This focus caters to both non-French speakers and native speakers alike. Furthermore, we offer a unique opportunity for continuous language learning, with programs designed for toddlers all the way through adults. This ensures a seamless progression in language acquisition, fostering a lifelong love of French.

Which part of the Montclair Preschool programming are you most excited about?

Our program recognizes the importance of fostering creativity alongside language acquisition. Our unique program boasts a dedicated art teacher. This focus on artistic expression goes beyond traditional learning, allowing children to explore their imaginations and develop well-rounded cognitive skills. We are committed to continually enhancing this aspect of the program, ensuring a truly enriching learning experience for our students. Our goal is to continually expand our program to include a wider variety of creative activities, such as dance, music, and clay modeling.

 

Could you talk a bit about how Montclair is both a cultural and French hub and why L’Alliance is such a natural fit there?

Montclair’s vibrant community is a natural fit for our preschool. With a high concentration of French families, the area fosters a love for languages and cultures. This family-oriented, well-traveled population is eager for enriching experiences for their children. In fact, the strong sense of community led to a parent-created group that organizes French playdates, showcasing the desire to continue exposing children to the language. This aligns perfectly with our vision of nurturing a love for French from a young age.

Why do you love being a part of the Montclair community? What’s your favorite thing about living there?

I moved to Montclair in 2015 and I love it. It’s a beautiful town. It’s green, the seasons are just stunning. There is access to so many fun things to do like restaurants, cafés, local shops. I like that as a French person we have a cheese shop, a French pastry shop, a French boulangerie—we can find handmade products that are remarkable. We have a farmers market that I love. It’s walkable. I can ride my bike. I can walk from where I live to where I work. And the people are just amazing—the parents, the families, the students. If you have children, it’s a wonderful place to live. There is an independent bookstore, and the library is great. It’s a paradise for families. It’s also a very diverse town, and our program has always been a reflection of that. 

The Montclair Preschool of L’Alliance New York will operate from September through June and will welcome children of all language proficiency levels and backgrounds. Enrollment is currently open for children ages two and a half to five years old. Two preschool classes will be offered, limited to 15 children per class, per year. There will be a full-day preschool class option, 8:30 am-2:30 pm, and a half-day class option, 8:30 am-12:30 pm. Extended care will also be available until 6:00 pm, and we also offer summer camps. To learn more, join one of our upcoming information sessions, or request a private visit by contacting montclair@lallianceny.org. 

Categories: Interviews, Learn French, Kids, Updates