Welcome to Brooklyn Free Space (BFS)
An independent cooperative preschool located in the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn
For over 40 years, BFS has been committed to providing child-centered education in a cooperative community, that engages teachers and parents alike in learning. We are committed to serving a diverse population and offer financial aid to our families in need.
BFS will be operating Summer Camp! Sessions start July 5th and are open to current and incoming BFS families. Applications are open and early bird registration ends March 5th. Regular registration deadline is April 30th.
For Member Families, please click on the Members site button above to find classroom pages, schedules, contact lists and other resources.
To contact a member of the BFS Administration:
Please email Medina, at medina.khalil@brooklynfreespace.org for issues regarding curriculum, plans and staffing.
Please email Deidre, at deidre@brooklynfreespace.org for issues regarding admissions and billing.
Please note: Brooklyn Free Space is open and operating in person. Please contact the school for information about the current year applications. At the moment, we are fully enrolled; however, we are happy to answer questions and will let you know if any spots open up.
BFS Community Blog
Learning at BFS
Brooklyn Free Space is a preschool for children who are between the ages of 2 years, 4 months old to 4 years, 8 months old at the beginning of each school year (September 30th of that school year). BFS offers a full day program for our 62 children, with students attending 9 am–3 pm. We also offer Extended Day Program option from 8 - 9 am and 3 - 6 pm.
Materials for Learning
At BFS, we have been inspired by the educational philosophy of Reggio Emilia, where the “Hundred Languages of Children.” Their ideal is manifest in the rich and varied supply of materials our school collects. The BFS Materials Center is a space that our resident “atelierista,” Gabi Moisan, along with families and staff have been contributing found objects of all sizes, shapes and materials, to for over a decade. The children’s ideas and questions are explored and expressed through these multiple languages or media as they initiate new discovery and challenge themselves along the way.
Continuing Education for Teachers
We create continuing education opportunities to address the needs of teachers and, in turn, benefit the children in their rooms. From training in the latest technology to instruction in new pedagogical methods, we support teachers’ efforts to deepen their understanding of their role as both facilitator and provocateur. We know that the best teachers are, like their students, always on a journey of learning.
Support for Communities
Education happens beyond the four walls of the classroom. Our larger environment acts as educator too, and our appriach at BFS goes outside the school building to connect resources to our families and the wider community. We offer a Community Series to members and neighbors. Something that this year, in deference to the current situation, we have moved to a virtual platform. Click on the link below for our most recent event!
Tackling Picky Eating, by Robyn Kitto, a former BFS parent
It is the relationship between teachers, children and families that makes our learning environment so special.
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
admissions@brooklynfreespace.org
Phone
1-718-965-3135
Address
298 6th Avenue
(btwn 2nd and 3rd St)
Brooklyn, NY 11215