At 6 apparently I knew I wanted to run a school for children from all over the world. I went on years later to go to a teacher’s college in Boston, Wheelock, and this further cemented my dream. I taught for a few years and then I started ECNS in 1975 in the basement of The Church of the Epiphany with 5 kids. I was the secretary, admissions director, maintenance staff, supply orderer, educational director, teacher and bookkeeper! I went to Bank Street at night and got my degree in Supervision and Administration in Early Childhood.

The school grew quickly because I had serendipitously chosen a location adjacent to many prime rental apartments and 2 superb parks, so the neighborhood was filled with young families.

In 1991, bursting at the seams, ECNS relocated to 1520 York Avenue. We grew to 160 children and again moved to 510 East 74th Street, close to where I originally began, and located ourselves in a 15,000 square foot carriage house on a dead end street – perfect! We have a roof-top playground flooded with sun and views of the East River.

We have 7 classrooms for 2, 3, 4 and 5 year-olds, as well as a play room, kitchen, library, and several administrative offices.

74th St. MAGIC, our sister enrichment center, operates out of our same facility. MAGIC offers classes in music, art, gymnastics, yoga, cooking and preschool alternatives for children 6 months to early teens, taking advantage of our classrooms and two state-of-the-art gyms.

How many people have a life filled with children, laughter and constant learning every day? I do – I am so lucky!