PreK Reading Program on the Upper East Side
On the Upper East Side, your child can benefit from the Reading In PreSchool PreK reading program, developed to support early literacy growth while building confidence and encouraging natural curiosity. Children take part in structured, interactive sessions that introduce the basics of reading in a way that is engaging and easy to understand, helping them develop important pre reading skills needed for future classroom success.
The program is organized into two progressive stages, Phase One and Phase Two, which guide children through early learning in a structured way. It is designed for preschool learners ages 3 and 4, providing a strong and supportive introduction to essential reading development.
PREK READING PROGRAM CURRICULUM
The Alexander Reading Method supports early literacy by introducing children to reading through a structured phonics-based approach that encourages both understanding and enjoyment. Starting in the PreK stage for ages 3 and 4, children are guided through foundational skills such as letter identification, sound recognition, blending, decoding, and early writing development in a way that aligns with their individual learning pace.
An initial assessment is completed for each child before instruction begins. This helps determine their current skill level and learning preferences, allowing lessons to be customized so they can progress steadily while staying motivated, supported, and confident in their reading journey.
In-Person New York Classes
For families on the Upper East Side in New York City, in-person lessons are available throughout the year, alongside other NYC areas including Chelsea, Gramercy Park, and Midtown. This broader service also includes nearby locations such as Scarsdale, Rye, Rye Brook, and Greenwich, CT, as well as summer instruction in the Hamptons.
Classes are held in your home and are designed using a play-based format that keeps children engaged while building a strong academic foundation. With consistent one-on-one support, children develop the skills needed to stay 6 to 12 months ahead, helping ensure a smoother transition into more challenging academic levels.
What Your Child Will Learn
Your child moves through two structured stages in our PreK Reading Curriculum, Phase One and Phase Two, each structured to build skills step by step.
Phase One
Focuses on early foundations, helping children develop:
• Fine motor coordination for early writing readiness
• Recognition of alphabet letters and their sounds
• Beginning writing practice when the child is ready
• Confidence through structured play and repetition
This stage introduces early structure in a supportive way, helping children connect letters with sounds and build familiarity
Phase Two
Builds on that foundation and introduces more advanced early reading skills, including:
• Continued practice of forming letters through writing
• Blending sounds to form simple words
• Reading Level 1 books independently
• Learning 60 CVC word blends and recognizing 40 sight words
At this point, children are working toward Kindergarten benchmarks that support readiness for 1st grade
Meet the UES Team
Each Reading In PreSchool teacher is a licensed educator with a background in General Education and/or Special Education. Every teacher is also professionally trained in The Alexander Reading Method to ensure consistent and structured instruction.
98% Success Rate: Trusted by Families on the Upper East Side Raising Confident Readers
On the Upper East Side, Reading In PreSchool is committed to helping your child feel ready, supported, and academically ahead so they can grow with lasting confidence. The program focuses on early reading mastery while encouraging curiosity and a positive approach to learning that continues through future school years.
Since 2013, Reading In PreSchool has supported families in building strong early reading foundations. With a 98% success rate, it has helped thousands of children become capable readers before entering more advanced grade levels.
Parents on the Upper East Side often notice their child gaining more than reading skills alone, including stronger confidence, more active participation in class, and a clear sense of pride in their own progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Year-round in-person lessons are available in New York City, Scarsdale, Rye, Rye Brook, and Greenwich, CT, with additional summer availability in the Hamptons. All instruction is delivered in the comfort of your home.
Students are required to attend at least two sessions per week. Lessons can be arranged in 30-minute sessions or extended time blocks.
Yes, progress reports are sent on a monthly basis, except during December, March, and June when breaks are scheduled.
Teachers are required to have a Master’s degree in General Education or Special Education and complete training in The Alexander Reading Method. They also reflect the following qualities:
- A love of working with and teaching young children
- The ability to keep children engaged and having fun
- Empathy
- Patience
- Bubbly, with young energy
- The ability to show results
- Organized
- Great communication skills
- Respectful in our clients’ homes
- Teachers who love learning and exploring new techniques that will meet the individual child's needs
There is no single timeline that applies to every child because each one learns at a different pace. If a child has no learning delays and maintains consistent attendance throughout the year, we provide a general timeframe for planning purposes. This estimate is based on two sessions per week and light homework done a few times weekly.
- Age 2.5: 3 years
- Ages 3 to 4: 2-3 years
- Ages 4.5-5.5: 2 years
- Ages 5.5 - 6.5: 1-2 years
- Older ages: 6 months to a year
In our experience, breaks from classes lasting one month or longer can result in children losing roughly two months of progress for every month they do not attend. This may extend the program beyond the originally projected timeframes.
Yes. Explicit instruction is used to support beginning readers as they build skills progressively toward reading fluency.
Yes. The program uses a research-informed approach to strengthen letter-sound knowledge and help children reach grade level.
In many U.S. school settings, early reading instruction is often less structured and may focus on memorization rather than systematic phonics. As a result, gaps can appear when academic expectations rise in first and second grade. Without early individualized support, children may struggle to keep up and feel added academic pressure.
Starting reading instruction earlier helps children develop strong foundational skills while learning naturally and confidently before demands increase.
With The Alexander Reading Method through Reading In PreSchool, children learn through structured phonics instruction that builds essential literacy skills from an early age. Personalized instruction and one-on-one support ensure each child progresses at a suitable pace while developing academic foundations that support success in multiple subjects.
Our program is designed for early learners by combining structured literacy instruction with play-based engagement. Every child begins with an assessment, and lessons are customized to their learning pace so they can build reading skills while staying engaged and confident.
Children progress through Phase One and Phase Two in a structured learning path that develops reading, writing, and blending skills step by step. This consistent progression supports ongoing literacy development and helps children become independent and confident readers.