The International Preschools

What The International Preschools does

The International Preschools (IPS) is a nonprofit private preschool located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at 345 East 86th Street, founded in 1963 to serve New York City families and those affiliated with the United Nations. The school delivers play-based early childhood education for children ages 16 months through 5 years, organized by age cohort (Red Rooms for 2s, Green Rooms for 3s, and Pre-K for 4s and 4-5s), with small classes staffed by 2-3 teachers per room, all head teachers holding Master's degrees. The offering is supplemented by specialty classes (music, creative movement, library, technology with iPad apps and Cubetto coding robots, art), after-school enrichment (Super Soccer Stars, Chess at Three, TADA! Theater, IPS-taught art), early drop-off from 8:00 AM, summer camp, and individualized kindergarten placement support.

The revenue model is tuition-driven, billed annually for each age-based program with optional extended-day add-ons, and supplemented by philanthropic donations through the IPS Annual Fund and Spring Benefit. The school also sells merchandise, yearbook advertising ($250-$1,050), event tickets ($275-$280), and teacher playdate raffle entries ($100) through a WooCommerce storefront processed via Stripe. Distribution is direct-to-parent via the Finalsite SchoolAdmin enrollment portal with Google/Microsoft SSO. The school consolidated to its single UES campus in June 2022 after closing the West 76th Street location, employs 39 staff, and relies on parent word-of-mouth, its website/blog, and an active Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn presence for admissions. IPS holds NYSAIS accreditation and is a member of ISAAGNY and the Parents League of New York.

Name

The International Preschools

Legal name

The International Preschools

Website

https://ipsnyc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Preschools is a nonprofit private preschool on Manhattan's Upper East Side, founded in 1963, serving children ages 16 months through 5 years with play-based, multicultural early childhood education for NYC and international families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Preschools (Play-Based) (EDACABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Academic/School-Readiness Preschools (EDACABAB), Part-Time / Drop-In Preschools (EDACABAN)

Keywords

• Private preschool education
• Early childhood education
• Play-based learning
• Preschool programs
• Kindergarten placement

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue from tuition payments for preschool programs. Programs include 2s, 3s, and 4/5s classrooms, with extended day options available through early drop-off (8:00 AM start) and after-school programs (until 4:00 PM).
2. IPS Annual Fund Donations: Annual fund runs September 1 through June 30. Supports capital improvements, financial aid ($100,000-$175,000 budget), and professional development for faculty. Accepts gifts via credit card, check, Zelle, Venmo, wire transfers, stocks, and recurring monthly payments.
3. Merchandise and Event Sales: School merchandise including hats ($18), t-shirts ($12-$15), hoodies ($25), tote bags ($5), and yearbook ad space ($250-$1,050). Spring Benefit tickets ($275), Faculty Sponsor Tickets ($280), and room playdate raffle tickets ($100 each).
4. Yearbook Advertising: Yearbook dedication pages sold to families and businesses. Pricing ranges from $250 (1/4 page, businesses only) to $1,050 (2 pages), with early-bird discounts available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The International Preschools (IPS) operates a private nonprofit preschool on Manhattan's Upper East Side, providing play-based preschool programs for children ages 16 months through 5 years. Core offerings include age-grouped preschool classrooms (2s, 3s, 4/5s), an under-2s Playgroup, specialty enrichment classes (music, creative movement, technology, library, art), early drop-off and after-school programs, a summer camp, and individualized kindergarten placement guidance.

Product overview

The International Preschools (IPS) is a nonprofit preschool on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, established in 1963, serving children ages 16 months through 5 years. The core offering consists of play-based preschool programs organized by age group (Red Rooms for 2s, Green Rooms for 3s, Pre-K/Junior Kindergarten for 4s/5s), supplemented by specialty enrichment classes (music, creative movement, library, technology with iPad apps and Cubetto coding robots, art), after-school programs (soccer, chess, theater, art), early drop-off, summer camp, and exmission/kindergarten placement services. IPS also operates an e-commerce shop selling branded merchandise (hats, shirts, hoodies, totes), event tickets (Spring Benefit, Faculty Sponsor Tickets), teacher playdate raffle entries, and yearbook advertising pages, all processed via WooCommerce/Stripe. A separate donation/Annual Fund program accepts contributions for financial aid, faculty professional development, and capital improvements. The school is accredited by NYSAIS and offers an online enrollment portal via Finalsite SchoolAdmin supporting Google/Microsoft SSO.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool Programs (2s, 3s, and 4/5s)

Quantifiable outcome

• Strong record of kindergarten placements at top schools
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Art Farm NYCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt Farm NYC's resident animal expert visits IPS Red Room classes once monthly during spring semester. Children observe, touch, and interact with animals including turtles, providing hands-on learning experiences about animals and nature.
• Chickenshed NYCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInclusive and interactive children's theatre that visits IPS Summer Camp via Zoom on Tuesdays. Chickenshed actors use songs and puppets to bring entertainment to campers.
• Lou GallominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusician who visits IPS Summer Camp with catchy, lively music and entertaining songs for kids. Sessions on Thursdays bring interactive musical experiences to campers.
• New York Chinese Cultural CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresents traditional lion dance and red ribbon dance performances for Lunar New Year celebrations. Previously visited IPS in-person before COVID-19; now provides video presentations for school celebrations.
• Ajna Dance CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Zoom presentations for Diwali celebrations at IPS. Supports multicultural curriculum by bringing dance performances from Indian cultural tradition.
• Super Soccer StarsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides soccer after-school program for IPS Green and Pre-K students, offering skill-building activities and socialization through sports.
• Chess at ThreeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides chess after-school program teaching young children strategic thinking and game skills through age-appropriate instruction.
• TADA! TheaterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTheater program offered as after-school activity for IPS students to explore drama, performance, and creative expression.
• Finalsite SchoolAdmincoreTechnology or IntegrationPowers IPS parent portal and enrollment system. Provides Single Sign-On (SSO) functionality for Google and Microsoft accounts, application management, and student information platform.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bank Street Family Center / Children's Programs: Bank Street College of Education operates progressive, play-based early childhood programs in NYC with a similarly strong educational philosophy focus. Closest peer in pedagogical approach (developmentally appropriate, child-led learning) and family demographic.
• Manhattan Country School: A progressive NYC independent school (preschool through 8th grade) emphasizing diversity, social justice, and child-centered learning. Comparable in mission and progressive educational philosophy, though located in a different Manhattan neighborhood.
• Rodeph Sholom School: A NYC independent school (nursery through 8th) on the Upper West Side with a strong early childhood program. Comparable size, tuition tier, and family demographic to IPS.
• The Brick Church School: A long-established NYC private preschool and elementary school on the Upper East Side serving a similar affluent, culturally diverse family base. Directly comparable in mission, target demographic, and tuition positioning to IPS.
• The Little Red School House & Elisabeth Irwin High School (LREI): A historic progressive NYC independent school (pre-K through 12) founded on John Dewey-influenced progressive pedagogy. Comparable in educational philosophy, Greenwich Village location serves a similar culturally progressive family base.
• Grace Church School: A NYC independent school (pre-K through 8th) in the East Village/UES area, serving similar progressive, culturally aware families. Comparable academic rigor and tuition positioning.
• The 92nd Street Y Nursery School: A well-known NYC preschool and family programming institution on the Upper East Side, serving similar families with progressive early childhood education. Comparable tuition tier and direct overlap in target demographic.

Broad incumbents

• Léman Manhattan Preparatory School: A larger NYC independent school (pre-K through 12) with an explicitly international focus and premium tuition positioning. Broader scope than IPS but directly comparable in international family targeting and UES presence.
• The Spence School: An elite NYC independent school (K-12) with an entry-level kindergarten class on the Upper East Side. Comparable premium pricing, family demographic, and UES presence; larger and broader than IPS but feeds into the same kindergarten placement ecosystem IPS prepares families for.
• The Town School: A prestigious NYC independent school (nursery through 8th) on the Upper East Side. Comparable demographic and UES positioning, though broader K-8 scope and larger scale than IPS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAdtBnD9ZaFc8ALvXSVQ4IQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ipsnyc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-international-preschools
• Instagraminstagram.com/international_preschools_nyc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The International Preschools