Purchase Children's Center
Mission
The Purchase Children's Center, Inc. provides child-centered preschool programming for the residents of Purchase and surrounding communities. We believe that building and sustaining a bond between child, parent, and teacher is the foundation of a quality preschool education.
Philosophy
The Purchase Children’s Center, Inc. supports all our students by creating inclusive social play environments that naturally promote development in all areas of learning. We offer integrated programs that facilitate social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Our curricula reflect these values by maintaining a flexible routine which respects the individuality of each child’s growth.
Our History
Since the founding in 1980, the Purchase Children's Center has operated out of the historic Purchase Community House. The Purchase Community House was originally conceived by Mr. William A. Read, who purchased a saloon on Purchase Street in 1915. It was his intention to purchase additional land and erect a Community House where Purchase residents could gather for social and civic purposes. While death intervened before Mr. Read could carry out his plans, his widow erected the William A. Read Memorial House in 1917 in his honor. The title was transferred to the Purchase Community with the request that the property be used to foster fellowship among Purchase Residents, and for wholesome activities which unite the neighborhood in loyalty and service to the community, the state and the nation. In 2019, the Purchase Community House assumed the management of the Children's Center and continues to provide child-centered preschool programming. This partnership honors the wishes of Mr. and Mrs. Read by providing upstanding education for nursery & preschool aged children in Purchase and the surrounding Communities.