Young minds. Bright futures.

Child centered daycare and preschool in Mott Haven, South Bronx

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 Mott Haven, Melrose, Port Morris, Hunts Point, and the South Bronx.

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Trusted Daycare and Early Learning Center on Jackson Avenue in Mott Haven

Mott Haven is in the middle of a transformation unlike anything the South Bronx has seen in a generation. New apartment buildings are rising along the waterfront. Young families are moving in, drawn by the neighborhood's affordability, improving infrastructure, and unbeatable proximity to Manhattan. But as the neighborhood grows, one thing has not kept pace: quality childcare. That is exactly the gap Sunshine Learning Center on Jackson Avenue was built to fill.

Our center at 609 Jackson Avenue is located in the heart of Mott Haven, surrounded by the new developments along the Grand Concourse corridor and the established residential streets that have anchored this community for decades. The 6 train at Brook Avenue station is just a block away, putting Midtown Manhattan within a 30-minute commute — an advantage that makes our location ideal for working parents.

The South Bronx Renaissance is more than a real estate story. It is a community story — one where longtime residents and new arrivals are building something together. Sunshine Learning Center is proud to be part of that story. We serve families from Mott Haven, Melrose, Port Morris, Hunts Point, and the surrounding South Bronx neighborhoods with a full continuum of early childhood education.

Every classroom at our Jackson Avenue center follows the Creative Curriculum, a nationally recognized framework that structures learning around hands-on exploration, creative expression, and intentional skill building. This is not a place where children sit and watch television. This is a place where they build, discover, create, and grow — every single day.

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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 Jackson 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 Mott Haven and the South Bronx

Our Jackson Avenue center is positioned to serve families throughout the South Bronx — Mott Haven, Melrose, Port Morris, Hunts Point, Concourse Village, and southern Highbridge. One block from the 6 train at Brook Avenue, with direct bus service on the Bx21 and Bx33, our center is the most convenient option for commuting South Bronx parents.

We accept HRA vouchers, UPK, and 3-K funding. Many Mott Haven families qualify for subsidized childcare — call us and we will walk you through your options.

Why Mott Haven Families Choose Sunshine Learning Center

The South Bronx does not get the credit it deserves. The families here are ambitious, hardworking, and deeply invested in their children's futures. They do not need a daycare that just watches their kids — they need a program that matches their own ambition for their children. Parents at our Jackson Avenue center choose Sunshine because we deliver real educational outcomes.

The Tadpoles app keeps parents connected throughout the workday with photo updates, meal and nap logs, and detailed activity reports. And our open-door policy means you are welcome to walk in and observe any time. Mott Haven families trust Sunshine because we have earned that trust, one child and one family at a time.

Schedule a Tour of Our Jackson Avenue Center

The best way to understand what Sunshine Learning Center offers Mott Haven families is to see it in person. Schedule a tour of our Jackson Avenue location — walk through every classroom, meet the teachers, and see the security systems and learning environments that set us apart.

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