Young minds. Bright futures.

Child centered daycare and preschool in Coney Island, Brooklyn

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 Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Sea Gate, Gravesend, and southern Brooklyn.

SEE OPENINGS

OUR LOCATIONS

Trusted Daycare and Early Learning Center in Coney Island, Brooklyn

Coney Island is a Brooklyn neighborhood like no other. Famous worldwide for its boardwalk, amusement parks, and oceanfront energy, Coney Island is also home to one of the most diverse and tightly knit residential communities in all of New York City. Behind the bright lights of Luna Park and the New York Aquarium, real families live, work, and raise children on these blocks — and those families deserve early childhood education that matches their ambitions for their kids. That is exactly what Sunshine Learning Center on West 31st Street provides.

Our center at 2929 West 31st Street is located in the heart of Coney Island's residential community, away from the tourist bustle of the boardwalk but close enough to benefit from the neighborhood's incredible outdoor resources. Maimonides Park is around the corner. The Coney Island Boardwalk and beach are a short walk south. The New York Aquarium and Luna Park provide field trip opportunities that make learning come alive.

Transit access is excellent. The D, F, N, and Q trains all stop at Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue, connecting our neighborhood to Downtown Brooklyn, Manhattan, and beyond. For parents commuting into Manhattan, Stillwell Avenue station puts you on an express train with a one-seat ride to Midtown.

We serve children from 6 weeks through 6 years old with four distinct programs — infant care, toddler, early preschool, and pre-K — all built on the Creative Curriculum. This nationally recognized, research-backed framework ensures every child receives developmentally appropriate, intentional instruction that builds real skills through hands-on, play-based learning.

TAKE A 360 VIRTUAL TOUR

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 Coney Island 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 Coney Island and Southern Brooklyn

Our West 31st Street center serves families from throughout the Coney Island peninsula and surrounding Brooklyn neighborhoods — Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Sea Gate, Gravesend, Bath Beach, and southern Bensonhurst. With the D, F, N, and Q trains at Stillwell Avenue and multiple bus connections along Surf and Neptune Avenues, our center is easy to reach from anywhere in southern Brooklyn.

We accept HRA vouchers, UPK, and 3-K funding. Coney Island families have access to multiple subsidy programs — call us and we will help you understand what you qualify for and guide you through the enrollment process.

Why Coney Island Families Choose Sunshine Learning Center

Coney Island families are a special breed. They chose to live in one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in the entire city — a place with character, history, and a sense of community that you simply cannot replicate elsewhere. They want their children's daycare to reflect that same authenticity. Parents at our West 31st Street center chose Sunshine because we are not a cookie-cutter program.

Our teachers build relationships that last for years. The toddler teacher who wiped your child's tears on the first day becomes the preschool teacher who celebrates their first written name. This continuity of care is what makes Sunshine on West 31st Street irreplaceable for Coney Island families. The Tadpoles app brings the classroom to your phone with daily photos, activity logs, and developmental updates.

Schedule a Tour of Our Coney Island Center

Discover why families across southern Brooklyn trust Sunshine Learning Center with their children. Schedule a tour of our Coney Island location on West 31st Street and see our classrooms, meet our teaching team, and experience the warmth and professionalism that set us apart. Your child's bright future starts here.

BOOK A TOUR

REQUEST INFO

Become a Sunshine Teacher

Join a team that shares your passion.

Apply TODAY

Music

Language

Movement

Culture

Community

Arts

Academics

Social Skills