Head Start / EarlyLearn NYC

Our Head Start centers provide low-income children ages 3 to 5 with a safe, stimulating environment that encourages cognitive, social, and emotional development. We emphasize hands-on, play-based learning that teaches children academic concepts in ways that make sense to them and get them excited about school.
We also support parents as primary caregivers so that they are able to encourage their children’s development on their own. All of our sites serve breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. We instill healthy habits both by teaching about them in the classroom in hands-on activities—such as growing vegetables—and by offering food that’s cooked on the premises and exceeds nutritional requirements. Our programs have been recognized by National Head Start as a model program for implementing best practices for dual-language learners; by the Department of Education and NYC Administration for Children’s Services for our exemplary approach in supporting the emotional wellness of children; and by Bank Street College of Education, which selected one of our programs to be featured in an iBook series as a model of social-emotional development integration. Centers operate Monday-Friday, full-day, year-round, and on holidays. We accept children through a variety of funding sources, including Universal Pre-K, EarlyLearn NYC, and child care subsidies.
Corona Head Start/EarlyLearn Program 34-10 108th Street Corona, NY 11368 Phone: 347-287-0175 Fax: 347-287-0172
  • Senior Program Director: Lillian Rodriguez-Magliaro, lillianrodriguez@childcenterny.org
  • Educational Coordinator: Lorena Ramirez, lorenaramirez@childcenterny.org
  • Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Fee: Based upon family income and program enrollment
  • Special services: Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) for 4-year-olds; early childhood mental health services, coordination of services for children with special needs, parenting classes, health and nutrition services
  • Ages accepted: 3 to 5 years
  • Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Bengali
  • Public transportation: #7 subway to 103rd or 111 Street, Q48 to 108 Street and 34th Ave
Escalera Head Start 169 West 87th Street New York, NY 10024 Phone: 212-799-2440
  • Program Director: Tracey Elting, traceyelting@childcenterny.org
  • Hours: Mon-Fri: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Fee: Based upon family income and program enrollment
  • Special services: Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) for 4-year-old children; mental health services, parenting classes, health and nutrition services
  • Admission Criteria: Low-income children who live in Manhattan; children with special needs are welcome
  • Ages accepted: 3- and 4-year-olds
  • Languages spoken: English, Spanish
The Ficalora Family Foundation Head Start Center 60-02 Roosevelt Avenue Woodside, NY 11377 Phone: 718-943-2800 Fax: 718-943-2799
  • Educational Director: Marie Mason, mariemason@childcenterny.org
  • Hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • Fee: Based upon family income and program enrollment
  • Special services: Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) for 4-year-old children, mental health services, parenting classes, health and nutrition services
  • Admission Criteria: Low-income children who live in Central Queens and nearby communities; children with special needs are welcome
  • Ages accepted: 3- and 4-year-olds
  • Languages spoken: Bengali, English, Spanish
  • Public Transportation: Subway—#7 to 61st Street Woodside, Buses—Q18, Q32, Q53, Q60, LIRR
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