Young minds. Bright futures.

Child centered daycare and preschool in East Harlem, Manhattan

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, Spanish Harlem, Carnegie Hill, and Upper Manhattan.

SEE OPENINGS

OUR LOCATIONS

Trusted Daycare and Early Learning Center on Lexington Ave in East Harlem

Finding the right daycare in East Harlem is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. You want a place where your child feels safe, where they are genuinely cared for, and where every day brings real opportunities to learn and grow. That is exactly what Sunshine Learning Center provides at our Lexington Avenue location in the heart of East Harlem.

Our center at 1595 Lexington Ave sits just blocks from Marcus Garvey Park and the vibrant cultural corridor of El Barrio. We are steps from the 6 train at 110th Street and 116th Street stations, making morning drop-off and evening pick-up seamless for parents commuting throughout Manhattan and beyond. Families from East Harlem, Spanish Harlem, Carnegie Hill, and the surrounding Upper Manhattan neighborhoods trust us with their children every day.

We welcome children from 6 weeks through 6 years old, offering a full continuum of care — from our nurturing infant program through toddler, early preschool, and pre-kindergarten classrooms. Whether you are a first-time parent searching for infant care or preparing your four-year-old for kindergarten at PS 7 Samuel Stern, PS 83 Luis Munoz Rivera, or PS 96 Joseph Lanzetta, Sunshine Learning Center gives your child the strong educational foundation they need to thrive.

East Harlem is a neighborhood defined by resilience, creativity, and deep community bonds. Families here deserve an early childhood program that reflects those values — one that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of El Barrio while providing the structured, research-backed education that prepares children for academic success. That is our commitment at Sunshine Learning Center on Lexington Ave.

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 Lexington Ave 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 and Upper Manhattan

Our Lexington Avenue center is easily accessible for families living in East Harlem (El Barrio), Spanish Harlem, Carnegie Hill, Yorkville, Central Harlem, and the Randall's Island area. Located right on Lexington Ave between 101st and 102nd Streets, we are directly on the M101, M102, and M103 bus routes and a short walk from the 6 train at 103rd Street. Drop-off and pick-up are convenient for working parents commuting throughout the city.

We understand that finding quality childcare in Manhattan is not easy — and it is not cheap. That is why we work with families to make enrollment as accessible as possible. Our Lexington Ave location accepts HRA vouchers, UPK, and 3-K funding. Contact us directly to learn about current availability and accepted subsidy programs.

Why East Harlem Families Choose Sunshine Learning Center

Parents in East Harlem do not just need daycare. They need a partner in their child's development — a team of educators who care about outcomes, not just headcounts. The families in El Barrio work hard, often juggling multiple jobs and complex schedules, and they deserve a childcare provider that works just as hard for their children. At Sunshine Learning Center, our experienced teachers build genuine relationships with every child and family. We know your child's name before they walk through the door on their first day. We celebrate their milestones. We communicate openly through the Tadpoles app so you never have to wonder how your child's day went.

East Harlem families tell us they chose Sunshine because we feel like an extension of home — a warm, safe, joyful place where their children are not just cared for, but truly known. With multiple locations across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx, Sunshine Learning Center has been a trusted name in early childhood education for New York City families. Our Lexington Ave center carries that same commitment to excellence right here in East Harlem.

Schedule a Tour of Our Lexington Ave Center

The best way to see what makes Sunshine Learning Center different is to visit us. Schedule a tour of our East Harlem location and meet the teachers who will be caring for your child. Walk through our classrooms. See our security systems firsthand. Ask us anything.

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