Early Childhood Center

Our Early Childhood Center serves 141 low-income pre-school children (ages 3 to 5) from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. year-round.  We work to ensure that the disadvantaged children whom we serve each year have the same opportunity to develop academically, emotionally, socially and physically as their more affluent peers.  Our interdisciplinary model focuses on educating the whole child and supporting the entire family unit. 

Our program is an award-winning, nationally-recognized program accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). A pioneer in blending Federal, State and City and private funding, we offer a combined Head Start, Day Care and Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program to 141 low-income children who reflect the City's amazing diversity. Our holistic approach prepares children for success in elementary school and in life by offering a seamless, age-appropriate curriculum that strengthens language, literacy, motor, socialization and other cognitive skills.

Our full-day program ensures that children can attend the Neighborhood House from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., five days a week, 12 months a year. Our ECC addresses the whole child and family, offering a wealth of integrated services including counseling and other mental health supports, social service interventions for families, health services, civil legal services, visual and performing arts, swimming instruction in our pool, playtime in our gymnasium and outdoor playroof and myriad classes and support groups for parents.

Our families come to us with issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, poor health and nutrition habits, over-crowded homes and isolation from their communities. Research continues to demonstrate that high-quality early childhood education programs, coupled with social and educational supports for the entire family unit, is the most effective way to give underserved children a chance to reach their full potential and to live whole and fulfilled lives.

The Early Childhood Center has four classrooms for four-year-olds: Sunflower, Dolphin, Silvermoon and Butterfly and four classrooms for three-year-olds: Sunshine, Starlight, Rainbow, and Ocean Breeze. 

If you are interested in learning more about our Early Childhood Center, please contact Kayla Smith, Registrar, at 212 744-5022, ext. 1276 or ksmith@lenoxhill.org.