Young minds. Bright futures.

Child centered daycare and preschool where East Harlem meets Harlem

We're an early childhood education center focused on creative learning and school preparedness for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Serving families across East Harlem, Central Harlem, West Harlem, and Upper Manhattan.

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OUR LOCATIONS

Trusted Daycare and Early Learning Center on Third Avenue in East Harlem

Third Avenue in upper Manhattan is a street of contrasts and energy — bodegas alongside new developments, longtime residents sharing sidewalks with young families discovering the neighborhood for the first time. At 2205 Third Avenue, right where East Harlem meets Harlem, Sunshine Learning Center offers a daycare and early education program that is as dynamic and grounded as the community it serves.

Our Third Avenue center occupies a unique position at the border of two of Manhattan's most storied neighborhoods. To the east, the cultural richness of East Harlem and El Barrio. To the west, the historic avenues of Central Harlem. Just south, Jefferson Park provides four acres of green space, playgrounds, and athletic fields where neighborhood families gather year-round.

The Lexington Avenue 4/5/6 trains at 125th Street are a short walk west, and the M101, M102, and M103 buses run directly along Third Avenue, connecting our center to the rest of Manhattan with ease. Parents working downtown, in Midtown, or in the Bronx find our location practical for their daily commute.

We enroll children from 6 weeks through 6 years and follow the Creative Curriculum — a play-based, research-driven educational framework that develops cognitive, language, physical, and social-emotional skills through intentional, hands-on learning. Whether your baby is just beginning to explore the world or your preschooler is mastering letter sounds and counting to one hundred, our teachers meet every child where they are and move them forward.

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A Curriculum Built Around How Children Actually Learn

At Sunshine Learning Center, we follow the Creative Curriculum — a research-backed, nationally recognized early childhood framework that puts hands-on, play-based learning at the center of everything we do. Unlike rigid, one-size-fits-all programs, Creative Curriculum is designed to meet each child exactly where they are developmentally and help them grow at their own pace.

Our teachers use this framework to create structured yet flexible lesson plans that integrate four core developmental areas:

Problem-solving, critical thinking, and early math and science concepts introduced through exploration and discovery

Building vocabulary, early literacy skills, and the confidence to express ideas through stories, songs, and conversation

Fine and gross motor skills developed through active play, art, sensory activities, and outdoor experiences

Learning to share, collaborate, build friendships, and manage emotions in a supportive classroom community

Every unit and lesson is strategically aligned with specific goals and objectives for each age group, so your child is always progressing — not just being watched.

Programs for Every Age and Stage

Infants (6 weeks - 12 months)

Our infant classrooms are thoughtfully designed with customized safety flooring, personal cribs, and separate diaper and feeding areas. We maintain a strict Shoe Free policy to keep the environment clean and safe for crawlers and new walkers. Your baby's day includes structured learning activities tailored to their individual needs — sensory play, tummy time, music, and one-on-one interaction with their dedicated caregivers. We focus on building secure attachments so your child feels confident exploring the world around them.

Toddlers (1-2 years)

Our toddler classrooms channel all that wonderful busy energy into meaningful learning experiences. Small group activities introduce early concepts like numbers, letters, and shapes, while sensory exploration with paint, water, sand, and modeling dough builds creativity and fine motor skills. Teachers customize lesson plans around the strengths and interests of the children in their class, so learning always feels engaging and age-appropriate.

Early Preschool (2-4 years)

As children grow, our curriculum expands to include more collaborative learning, early literacy and math readiness, and the social skills they will need for kindergarten. Classroom centers are designed to spark investigation and discovery — from dramatic play areas to science and art stations. Your child will develop self-help skills, build vocabulary, and gain the independence and confidence that comes from being part of a learning community.

Preschool and Pre-K (4-6years)

Our pre-K program is focused on kindergarten readiness. Children engage in structured academic activities alongside creative projects, building a strong foundation in reading, writing, and math. We prepare children not just academically, but socially and emotionally — so they walk into their first day of kindergarten feeling capable and excited.

What Sets Sunshine Learning Center Apart

NYC Department of Health Licensed

Our Third Avenue center is fully licensed and regularly inspected by the NYC DOH. We meet or exceed every health, safety, and staffing requirement set by the city.

State-of-the-Art Security

Every Sunshine center is equipped with observation windows in each classroom, security cameras, and an electronic access system that ensures only authorized personnel can enter the building. Your child's safety is never an afterthought.

Open Door Policy

We believe parents should always feel welcome. Drop in anytime. Our open door policy means you are never shut out of your child's day.

Tadpoles Communication App

Stay connected throughout the day with real-time updates on meals, naps, and activities. Teachers share photos, videos, and notes directly with parents, and you can view lesson plans up to four weeks in advance. You will never have to wonder what your child did today.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Formal conferences throughout the year give you detailed insight into your child's progress, how curriculum goals align with their development, and what you can do at home to support their growth.

Weekly Links Newsletter

Every week you will receive our parent newsletter with a breakdown of what your child learned that week, keeping you informed and involved.

Serving Families Across East Harlem, Harlem, and Upper Manhattan

Our Third Avenue center is centrally positioned to serve families from a wide area — East Harlem north of 115th Street, Central Harlem, West Harlem, the Randall's Island vicinity, the Jefferson Park area, and the Triborough Bridge corridor. Direct bus service on the M101/M102/M103 along Third Avenue, plus the 4/5/6 at 125th Street, makes our center easy to reach from any direction.

We accept HRA vouchers, UPK, and 3-K funding. Call us to discuss your family's specific situation and available enrollment options.

Why Families at the Heart of Harlem Choose Sunshine Learning Center

The families along Third Avenue are not looking for flash or prestige. They want substance. They want teachers who show up every day with a plan for their child — not just a schedule to get through. Parents who enroll at our Third Avenue center often tell us the same thing: they visited five or six programs before walking into ours, and they knew immediately this was different.

What keeps families at Sunshine year after year is consistency. The same quality of care your infant receives continues through toddler, preschool, and pre-K. By the time they graduate, they have spent years building relationships with teachers and peers — and they walk into kindergarten with the confidence of a child who knows they belong in a classroom.

Schedule a Tour of Our Third Avenue Center

See our Third Avenue center for yourself. Schedule a tour and walk through every classroom, from our infant nursery to our pre-K learning lab. Meet the teachers. Ask tough questions. We welcome it.

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