Sara Curry Preschool at the Little Missionary’s Day Nursery is the oldest, continuously operating non-sectarian school in New York City. It was founded in 1896 by Miss Sara Curry, a woman who dedicated her life to providing childcare to the working parents of the Lower East Side. Since she worked so hard to help the community, many called her the “Little Missionary”, hence the name of the school.

The few early records that remain and the personal recollections of older community members have indicated that Miss Curry had a very persuasive personality.

Through her tireless efforts she made numerous friends in the business community and was able to enlist the support of several very wealthy families. The husbands helped with funding, provided corporate and legal assistance, and sat on the Board. The wives collected food and clothing, organized fundraising and volunteered their services at the nursery.

In addition to child care, Miss Curry aimed to extend her help to the parents also. She organized cooking, sewing and child care classes for the mothers. The fathers were also encouraged to come in for meetings to help them with their problems, and to steer them towards sobriety and responsibility.

Miss Curry retired in 1940 and the nursery was managed by her adopted daughter Anna Almasy until her retirement in 1973. Though enrollment and funding decreased after Miss Curry’s death, the Board and parents of the nursery both worked hard over the years to keep the school alive. The building in Rye was sold in 1991 and the proceeds were used to pay debts and defray expenses.

To this day, the nursery still serves the working parents of the Lower East Side, and each year a portion of income is set aside to provide tuition assistance. The Board of Directors consists of volunteers who give generously of their time and energy to keep this wonderful school alive. The Board and parents work together to raise funds and help keep the traditions of Sara Curry and the Little Missionary’s Day Nursery alive.

93 Saint Mark’s Place

New York, NY 10009

212-777-9774

fax: 212-777-2655

The School History

In 1901 the building at 93 Saint Mark’s Place was purchased with the help of generous funding, and from that day to the present it has been in continued service as a nursery. At one point over 200 infants and children were cared for on a daily basis. With the help of benefactors a summer camp was established in New Jersey, and this facility later moved to Rye, New York. Until the early 1970s thousands of children had the opportunity to leave the Lower East Side and enjoy the fresh air at the LMDN summer camp.

Copyright © Sara Curry Preschool at Little Missionary’s Day Nursery 2009