Enrollment for Global Roots Play School Is Now Open

Global Roots Play School is now accepting applications for the 2022/23 school year.

Enrollment is open to all, with priority given to families attending ESL classes. Global Roots serves a maximum of 12 children aged 18 months to 5 years. The play school is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon. Global Roots runs the length of the school year, from September to June.

How to Enroll

Global Roots offers 2-day (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday), and 4-day options, with enrollment preference going to families attending ESL classes or Tompkins Learning Partners. 

You can enroll online or fill out this form (PDF) and send to director@globalrootsplayschool.org, or return to:

Global Roots Play School
402 N Aurora St
Ithaca, NY 14850

Please contact Bronwyn at director@globalrootsplayschool.org for more information.

About Global Roots Play School

Global Roots Play School is a project of Ithaca Welcomes Refugees (IWR).  Our mission is to provide educational and social opportunities for refugee and immigrant children and families in our community. We are an inclusive play-based, child-paced program that provides a community for families and a space for children aged 18 months-5 years to learn, expand their trust beyond the family, and explore their world!

Global Roots Play School opened its doors in September 2017. We are conveniently located downtown near English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and tutoring at Tompkins Learning Partners, Open Doors English, and BOCES, making it possible for parents to attend ESL class while their children are cared for close by. Parent attendance at ESL programs is not required for enrollment at Global Roots, and historically we have served a mix of families some of whom take ESL and some who do not.

Global Roots is a place where families and teachers come together to build a community where children can feel safe and nurtured, while enjoying the socialization of group care. Our focus is on learning through play experiences. The right candidates will be reflective practitioners who have a passion for working with toddlers and preschoolers and their families in a diverse, international setting. They will have a thirst for continuing their education and develop their thinking about how best to work in a community with families, teachers, and children as co-collaborators. Preferred knowledge of languages other than English. Special education experience is a plus. All staff are required to have Covid-19 vaccination.