PRESCHOOL BLACKBOARD AWARDS 2008

While toddlers confront the ups and downs of sharing, preschool is also a time of growth for parents. Before the challenges of separation even set in, families must make tough choices about the right type of program for a child-and then take a savvy approach to the notoriously stressful admissions process. Both these issues are discussed in the first installment of our annual Blackboard Awards series, which each year pays tribute to the many success stories that often go untold in the world of New York City education. Inside you'll find helpful articles with real-world advice and an exhaustive list of Manhattan preschools and tuition rates. Stick around in the coming weeks for our sections on elementary, middle and high schools of note. -Charlotte Eichna

[READY OR NOT?: A New York mom's guide to preschool application]

[THINKING OUTSIDE THE PRESCHOOL BOX: Alternatives to the traditional private preschool ]

[MANHATTAN PRESCHOOL TUITION DIRECTORY]