Young minds. Bright futures.

Child centered daycare and preschool in Yorkville, Upper East Side

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 Yorkville, Carnegie Hill, the Upper East Side, and East Harlem.

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Trusted Daycare and Early Learning Center on East 91st Street in Yorkville

The Upper East Side has no shortage of childcare options — but finding one that combines genuine warmth with rigorous early education is harder than it should be. At Sunshine Learning Center on East 91st Street, we offer Yorkville families a daycare experience that is both nurturing and academically purposeful, without the pretension or waitlist anxiety that defines so many programs on the East Side.

Our center at 316 East 91st Street is nestled in the heart of Yorkville, one of the Upper East Side's most established family neighborhoods. We are a short walk from Carl Schurz Park and the East River Esplanade and just blocks from the 4, 5, and 6 trains at 86th Street and 96th Street. Parents commuting from Midtown, Downtown, or across the East River find our location ideal for the daily rhythm of drop-off and pick-up.

We serve children from 6 weeks through 6 years old using the Creative Curriculum, a research-backed educational framework trusted by early childhood programs nationwide. From our quiet, shoe-free infant rooms to our bustling pre-K classrooms where children are reading sight words and solving early math problems, every age group at Sunshine receives developmentally appropriate, intentional instruction.

Yorkville has long been a neighborhood where young families put down roots. The tree-lined blocks, excellent public schools, and proximity to Central Park and the East River make it one of Manhattan's most livable communities. Our East 91st Street center was built for these families — parents who want their children's first classroom to be every bit as thoughtful as the neighborhood they have chosen to call home.

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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 91st Street 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 the Upper East Side and East Harlem

Our East 91st Street center draws families from throughout the Upper East Side and neighboring communities — Yorkville, Carnegie Hill, Lenox Hill, the southern edge of East Harlem, Roosevelt Island, and the Gracie Mansion area. Steps from the 4/5/6 at 86th Street and the Q at 96th Street, plus M15, M86, and M96 bus routes, our center is easy to reach from anywhere on the East Side.

We accept UPK and 3-K funding at this location. Contact us for current availability and enrollment details.

Why Yorkville Families Choose Sunshine Learning Center

Parents on the Upper East Side research everything — and when it comes to their child's first school, they leave nothing to chance. Families choose Sunshine on East 91st Street because we meet the high bar that UES parents set, without the cold, institutional feel of some larger programs. Our classrooms are intentionally small. Your child is not lost in a crowd. Teachers know each child's developmental stage, learning style, and personality.

Yorkville parents also appreciate our practical approach to school readiness. We do not just teach letters and numbers — we build the executive function skills, the ability to sit and listen, the confidence to raise a hand and participate, that kindergarten teachers actually look for. When your child graduates from our pre-K program, they are not just academically prepared. They are socially and emotionally ready to thrive.

Schedule a Tour of Our East 91st Street Center

We invite you to see our Yorkville center in person. Schedule a tour and experience the difference — walk through our infant rooms, observe a preschool lesson, and talk with the teachers who will guide your child's earliest years. No sales pitch. Just an honest look at how we care for and educate children.

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