GYMBOREE

East Northport, Manorville, Oceanside, Great Neck, Merrick, Hicksville, Woodbury, Oakdale, St. James
631-266-1114 or 877-GYMLEARN
www.gymboreeclasses.com

The Gymboree Learning Program offers seven levels of developmentally-appropriate play, music and arts classes for children and their parents — always based on the core belief that playing and learning are inextricably linked. For more than 30 years, Gymboree has helped infants through five year olds acquire motor and social skills and self-esteem — key ingredients kids need to grow up as confident, happy and successful individuals. And to keep you happy as well, Gymboree is proud to announce its new Parent Pod in East Northport where you can relax in a cozy space with couches, flat-screen TVs, Internet access, coffee bar and snacks. Attend a free trial class today so you and your child can experience Gymboree’s unique and fun-filled programs.

Hicksville • 516-931-3330
Lynbrook • 516-825-2300
Syosset • 516-496-1050

For 25 years, parents have trusted Kiddie Academy to lovingly care for and prepare children for academic and life success. Our programs, for ages six weeks to 12 years, provide a hands-on, age-appropriate curriculum to promote intellectual, social, physical and emotional growth. We make learning fun. In addition to the traditional academics, reading, language, math and science, we offer music, creative arts, computer and foreign language programs. Kiddie Academy provides before, after-school and vacation programs for working parents. Our summer program is full of exciting activities and entertainment. Campers from four to 12 years old can participate in off-site trips and specialty instruction such as drama, Red Cross swim, gymnastics, karate, piano and other programs. Call us today.

The Salisbury Center, 718 The Plain Rd., Westbury
516-997-3552 or 516-333-1236

Calling All Kids for a creative journey of learning where the first step is fun. Our preschool, languagebased curriculum includes everything from arts and crafts to yoga, circle time to computers and music and dance to nature and science. Fine and gross motor skills are reinforced along with social skills, math, reading and foreign language. All programs are geared toward a child’s age and ability whether typically developing or developmentally delayed. Enrichment Day Camp (ages two-anda- half to 12) features small group instruction. Campers enjoy the traditional (outdoor sports, hands-on science and more) while experiencing the extraordinary — learning about rainforests, marine biology, archaeology and Greek mythology. Centrally located in an air-conditioned facility, Calling All Kids (formerly Kids First Creative Learning Center) offers four-, six- and eight-week programs through Aug. 17.

331 Mount Misery Rd., Melville
631-367-9621
www.littleschoolhouseatdriftwood.com

The Little School House, located on the property of Driftwood Day Camp, is a nursery school with am and pm sessions for twos, threes and fours. There’s also an extensive Mommy and Me and specialty class program for kids from one to eight years old. Under the direction of Janice Nacht, B.S., M.S., certified teachers stimulate your child’s intellect and imagination, nurturing children as group learners, effective problem solvers and thoughtful decision makers. The curriculum includes art, science, math, language arts, music, cooking and more. Children ages one to eight can also enjoy unforgettable, fun-filled birthday parties at the Little Party Place at Driftwood. The Little Red Shopping Cart allows you to register for gifts online, offering you and your guests convenience and hassle-free shopping. Visit www.littleredshoppingcart. com to learn more.

717 St. Luke’s Pl., Baldwin
516-868-8406

At the Community Nursery School of Baldwin, the motto tells it all: “Where learning is fun and fun is learning.” The school features four developmentally appropriate programs designed to meet the needs of children from two to five years of age. Each program features a wide range of activities, including open play, art projects, music and movement and sign language. Building toys, puzzles, animals, dress-up and art projects make learning stimulating and fun. The school prides itself on a small teacher-to-child ratio, with qualified and caring teachers guiding your child’s development. A part of the Baldwin community for more than 50 years, the Community Nursery School is a non-profit, non-denominational school charted by the State Board of Regents. Its three classrooms and outdoor play area are spacious and well-maintained, designed to stimulate your child’s imagination in a safe, loving environment. For additional information, please call director Florence Gersch at 516-868-8406.

855 Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck
516-487-5326

Great Neck Pre-School offers a safe and loving environment for children, allowing them to grow and develop their skills in their own individual way. The school offers a wide selection of hands-on learning activities, which are fun and rewarding for your child. Great Neck Pre-school is viewed as an enjoyable place where children can have fun and grow intellectually at the same time. We offer a three-year-old and four-yearold program, as well as an after-school program. Each classroom has a state-certified teacher and one assistant. After school teachers help with homework responsibilities, as well as plan age appropriate activities. The school runs 52 weeks a year and includes an optional summer program. Registration is ongoing throughout the year. Call Susanne Schiano to schedule a visit.

382 S. Oyster Bay Rd., Hicksville
516-433-0003 or 800-404-2204
www.justweetwo.com

Just Wee Two is where children and grown-ups learn and play together. Directors and owners Ruth Broitman and Helen Beck, both state-certified early childhood educators and moms, created this fun-filled program in 1982 for children ages 14 months to three-and-a-half years and their parents, grandparents or caregivers. Through activities such as music, arts and crafts, playtime, stories and snack, children are encouraged to explore, discover, interact and enjoy this special time in their lives. Just Wee Two offers parent and child classes as well as separation and partial separation classes. Experienced, professional and nurturing teachers are dedicated to the growth and development of each child. Call for more information about fall, winter and spring 11-week sessions as well as the six-week mini-camp summer session.

362 Stewart Ave., Bethpage
516-822-4241
www.godisable.org

Kiddie Kollege Preschool provides a warm Christian atmosphere for children ages 18 months to four years to grow spiritually, academically, socially and physically. The curriculum includes social skills, numbers, shapes, colors, fine and gross motor skills, self-esteem, music, structured routines, pre-reading and writing skills (Pre-K), Christian values and much more. Morning (8:45 – 11:45 am) and afternoon (12:45 – 3:45 pm) sessions are available. In the summer recreation program, your child enjoys music, arts and crafts, group games, outdoor and sprinkler play in a wholesome and creative atmosphere. Teachers are degreed or certified, and all staff are CPR certified. We have a nondiscriminatory enrollment policy. Sibling discounts, Mommy & Me and Terrific Two’s programs also available. Please call to schedule a tour of the facilities. Kiddie Kollege looks forward to welcoming you.

LITTLE FLOWER CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES DAY CARE

2450 N. Wading River Rd., Wading River
631-929-6200
www.littleflowerny.org

Little Flower Family Day Care offers childcare in the homes of New York State Registered providers who undergo a rigorous training schedule and on-site monitoring by Little Flower social work staff. A network of providers, across Suffolk County, offers flexible hours of care to meet the needs of working parents. Planned activities, nutritional meals and snacks and loving care are trademarks of the quality of service to be expected in an atmosphere where children thrive. Each home must meet rigid requirements to remain in compliance with state law and regulations and undergo an extensive screening process for records of child abuse and criminal activity. The cost of care may be met by county subsidies or private payment of required fees.

LOVING & LEARNING

2879 Lower Lincoln Ave., Oceanside
516-763-2727

The precious period from six weeks through five years offers times of unlimited energy, exuberance and curiosity. Loving & Learning has created an environment that encourages your child’s confidence and self-esteem during these joyous and challenging years. The atmosphere at Loving & Learning’s innovative state-of-the-art center in Oceanside is designed to foster the development of positive social and emotional behavior through educational experiences in days filled with fun and joy. In our infant care program, babies receive the best care, along with love and intellectual stimulation. Toddler and preschool programs include story time, art, music, cooking, computers, gym, and outdoor play in fully-equipped fenced-in playgrounds. Indoor play encourages the development of language, social skills, motor control through dramatic play, puzzles, problem solving and more. Children will develop all the skills needed to make friends, share and cooperate.

MID -ISLAND Y JCC

45 Manetto Hill Rd., Plainview
516-822-3535
www.miyjcc.org

Every family is special at the Mid-Island Y Jewish Community Center. The JCC has programs designed to meet every developmental stage of one’s life. New mother/new baby, Mommy & Me, infant and toddler gym, swim, dance, music and movement are just a few of the many classes offered. The nursery school and preschool day care are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and provide quality education to over 300 children in a family-friendly environment. Children in grades K – 5 enjoy swimming, karate, English Language Arts tutoring and academic enrichment in the after-school program. School vacation programs include bowling, roller skating and movies. The K.I.S.S. Center (Kids in Special Services) offers comprehensive, year-round programming for children (pre-K through teens) with special needs.

ONCE UPON A TIME

6096 Jericho Tpk., Commack
631-486-4327
www.onceuponatimeLI.com

Directors Carmelina Corrado and Corissa Turkel have put their backgrounds in education, wellness and business to work developing programs that build esteem and encourage creative minds. Once Upon a Time has a friendly atmosphere and structured environment. Their Pre-K is an elite program facilitated by a NYS-certified teacher. The two year olds will develop number and letter recognition, shapes, colors, sorting, grouping and social classroom behaviors. The three year olds will begin number and letter identification, sequencing, color and shape association, creating patterns and calendar times. The four year olds will create letter-sound comprehension and formation, understand cause and effect, build matching and rhyming skills and learn skip counting. Fun, educational lessons are developed through hands-on activities. Children will master age-appropriate skills as they enjoy learning.

ROMPER ROOM

133 Hillside Ave., Williston Park
516-746-8606
275 Lakeville Rd., Great Neck
516-466-8906
www.Romperroomschool.com

Romper Room has been offering a unique learning experience for over 33 years. We’re renowned for our confidence-building program, individualized attention and safe environment. Dedicated teachers nurture each child to reach their fullest potential. Curriculum includes reading readiness, other languages, basic science, math, arts and crafts, music, story time and field trips. Assistants personally drive buses. Our programs are for children ages two-and-a-half to five years. Try the Romp with Mom Program, diversified activities for toddlers 12 to 30 months. The See-U-Later is a two-hour separation class for age 24 – 36 months. Try a free trial class.

STANFORD CHILD CARE CENTER

1275 Montauk Hwy., Copiague
631-225-4600
www.stanfordchild.com

Children 18 months to five years old will find a positive, loving atmosphere that promotes the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of every child at Stanford Child Care Center. The goal of Stanford is to provide quality childcare during the significant years of development, so their parents can be at ease. The toddler program is designed to supplement the care a child receives at home. Separate programs for three-, four-, and five-year-olds follow an overall curriculum that has been specially adapted for each developmental level. All program components are responsive to the individual needs, interests, and learning styles of each child. Full-time, part-time and half-day schedules are offered. There’s also a new before and after-school program. Call 631-225-4600 for more information.

TENDER GARDEN EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING CENTER (ECLC)

3100 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown
516-731-4322

The Early Childhood Learning Center strives to give preschoolers (ages two to four) the tools to learn, the confidence to reach their potential and the courage to achieve. In a nurturing atmosphere, experienced and qualified staff encourages play-based learning with monthly and weekly themes, ensuring the childrenhave fun-filled days as they develop socialization skills and acquire an academic foundation for kindergarten. The curriculum integrates New York Education Learning Standards, covering language arts, science, mathematics and social studies as well as music and arts and crafts. Large, air-conditioned classrooms each have four computers, and a teacher and assistant are in every room (average one to five teacher-student ratio). Always on premises, the owners/directors are NYS certified teachers, and the staff is CPR and first aid certified. The fun continues outdoors in the fenced-in playground. Call for additional information.

THE CHILDREN’S STUDIO

66 Broadway, Greenlawn
631-239-4003

The Children’s Studio offers mommy-and-me art classes, separation classes, extended art classes for preschoolers, art and science classes for kindergartners and grades one to three, art techniques for grades three and up and Music Together. A 12-week session begins Sept. 17. For younger kids, The Children’s Studio focuses on exploration and the process of making art or discovering scientific properties. By providing the space suitable for children, giving them interesting materials along with guidance and structure, the staff takes the children’s lead and allows them to create on their own. For older children ready for some formal instruction, in the fall, The Children’s Studio will begin offering some techniques in drawing, painting and sculpting. Your little artist will love The Children’s Studio — where it’s all about his or her experience.

THE GROWING TREE NURSERY SCHOOL

140 East Broadway, Roslyn
516-621- 9009
www.growingtreenurseryschool.com

The Growing Tree Nursery School, family-owned and operated, is celebrating its 29th year. The non-sectarian school enrolls approximately 150 children, ages two to five, in toddler, preschool and prekindergarten programs. The curriculum features music, movement, arts and crafts, computer classes, foreign language, nature and science and early reading and math readiness skills. A fully-enclosed outdoor playground faces the scenic Roslyn duck pond, and there’s an indoor gym in case of inclement weather. The professional faculty is warm, friendly and attentive to each child’s individual needs. Head teachers are NYS-certified in early childhood education. The Growing Tree Nursery School is registered with the NYS Department of Education and NAEYC-accredited. Enrollment for fall 2007 is underway. Please call 516-621-9009 for more information or a personal tour. A summer program is also available. Diapers are welcome.

THE WALDORF SCHOOL OF GARDEN CITY

225 Cambridge Ave., Garden City
516-742-3434
www.waldorfgarden.org

Located on a beautiful 10-acre campus adjacent to Adelphi University, The Waldorf School of Garden City is a college preparatory, co-educational independent day school offering classes from Early Childhood through grade 12. The Waldorf preschool is an activity-based program which lays a strong foundation for the academic work formally introduced in first grade. The age-appropriate curriculum is designed to develop the whole child — physically, emotionally and intellectually — and aims to maximize the potential capabilities of each child at each stage of his or her development. Healthy play, both indoors and out, is the foundation for strong social development and dynamic imaginative activity. We believe that imaginative freeplay is a fundamentally important activity of early childhood and our carefully selected materials and natural play environment facilitate dynamic learning. For children 18 months – 3 years we offer a Parent Toddler Program. Call or visit www.waldorfgarden.org for more information.