Young minds. Bright futures.

Child centered daycare and preschool near Morris Avenue in Mott Haven, 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, the Grand Concourse, Melrose, and the South Bronx.

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Trusted Daycare and Early Learning Center near Morris Avenue in Mott Haven

The blocks around Morris Avenue and East 142nd Street represent one of the Bronx's most resilient communities. Generations of families have raised their children here, building a neighborhood defined by close-knit bonds, cultural pride, and the determined belief that education opens doors. At Sunshine Learning Center near Morris Avenue, we share that belief — and we put it into practice every day for the youngest children in Mott Haven.

Our center at 253 East 142nd Street sits in the residential heart of Mott Haven, just south of the iconic 3rd Avenue Bridge that connects the Bronx to Harlem. Lincoln Hospital and its surrounding medical campus are blocks away — making our center especially convenient for the many healthcare workers and hospital staff who need reliable early morning childcare.

The 2 and 5 trains at 3rd Avenue-149th Street and the 6 train at 138th Street-Grand Concourse are both within walking distance, giving commuting parents multiple transit options for their daily routines. Bus routes along Alexander Avenue and Willis Avenue provide additional connections to every corner of the South Bronx.

We enroll children from 6 weeks through 6 years old and implement the Creative Curriculum across every classroom. This means your child's day is not a series of random activities — it is a carefully planned progression of learning experiences that build cognitive, language, physical, and social-emotional skills simultaneously.

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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 Morris 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 Central South Bronx

Our Morris Avenue center draws families from throughout the central South Bronx — Mott Haven central, the southern Grand Concourse, the 3rd Avenue Bridge corridor, the Lincoln Hospital area, southern Melrose, and the Mill Brook and Patterson Houses communities. With the 2/5 at 3rd Avenue-149th Street and the 6 at 138th Street both within a 10-minute walk, plus Bx21 and Bx33 bus service, our location is accessible from every direction.

We accept HRA vouchers, UPK, and 3-K funding. Many families in our area qualify for full subsidies — we will help you navigate the application process.

Why Morris Avenue Families Choose Sunshine Learning Center

Trust is not given — it is built. And in Mott Haven, where families have seen too many programs come and go, trust takes time. Parents at our Morris Avenue center did not choose Sunshine on a whim. They chose us after seeing how we treated their neighbor's child. After hearing from a coworker at Lincoln Hospital that their daughter was thriving. After walking in unannounced and finding exactly what we promised.

Our retention rate tells the story better than any marketing ever could. Families enroll their infants and stay through pre-K graduation. Siblings follow older brothers and sisters into the program. The Tadpoles app keeps working parents connected to their child's day even when they cannot be there in person.

Schedule a Tour of Our Morris Avenue Center

Come see what consistent, caring early childhood education looks like in Mott Haven. Schedule a tour of our center near Morris Avenue and meet the teachers who will become your child's second family. We are here to answer every question and earn your trust.

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