We want to provide a safe and nurturing environment that allows children to learn at their own pace. Thematic units are used to guide the daily classroom lessons. These units follow the scope and sequence of each program’s age and developmental level. The goal is to provide a curriculum that recognizes and expands your child’s interests, strengths, and abilities.

Two-Year-Old Program

Many children in our 2-year-old program are attending school for the very first time. It might be overwhelming for the children (and sometimes caregivers) at first, but our dedicated teachers will help children to smoothly transition from home to school. Once children are familiarized with the class schedule and routines, they are encouraged to explore different concepts and materials around them as they participate in engaging age-appropriate activities. We want to build the children’s natural curiosity and confidence to foster independence and development. Children are encouraged to use their words to express themselves and to work cooperatively with friends. Self-help skills, such as feed themselves, clean up after themselves, and follow proper hygiene. Fundamental concepts and skills such as letters, colors, shapes, and numbers are taught through play because studies have shown children learn best through active play.

Three-Year-Old Program

This is the time children often begin to ask “Why?” Our inquisitive 3-year-old children are encouraged to ask about the world around them. Teachers motivate and aid children to find answers to their own questions through observation, experimentation, and research.

Creativity, ingenuity, and achievements are celebrated and applauded. Classroom jobs such as setting the table are provided to promote independence and social collaboration. Manners and proper etiquette are taught as well. Teachers also model proper communication skills and encourage children to use full sentences when speaking. Self-help skills such as dressing and undressing oneself, toileting, and self-feeding are all important concepts children should achieve by the end of school year.

Four-Year-Old Program

Our 4-year-old program is one of the elite pre-kindergarten programs in New York City. Every year many of our graduates have received a grade of 90+ on the Gifted and Talented (G&T) Exam. G&T Prep is offered to every pre-k student and is embedded with the daily class activities especially circle time and in centers. Our pre-k classes follow the Department of Education Pre-K for All Interdisciplinary Units of Study. The class schedule for the pre-k classes are balanced with large group and small group activities throughout the school day. Large group instruction includes Morning Meeting, Circle Time, Music and Movement, and Outdoor Play. Small group instruction is divided into Learning Centers such as blocks, dramatic play, sand and water table, math, science, writing, art, computer, and library. Each center focuses on specific skills and concepts guided by the teacher’s lesson of the day. Meals are served family-style; thus, children are encouraged to serve themselves, which further fosters independence and self-sufficiency so they are prepared for public school.

Chinese Classes

Chinatown Day Care Center also offers Chinese Enrichment Classes in the afternoon for all our children. Children learn about the Chinese language, culture, and tradition through storytelling, music, and poetry. The length of time and the material taught during the Chinese classes depend on the age and developmental growth of the children. The Chinese classes are all conducted in Mandarin.

2-Year-Old

Formal lesson will be about 10-15 minutes.

Children get familiar with the nuances of the Chinese language by listening and singing along to Chinese children songs and fingerplays. Teachers also introduce basic Chinese words and phrases through roleplaying, puppetry, and games.

3-Year-Old

Formal lesson will be about 15-20 minutes.

Children are exposed to more Chinese literature and songs as well as traditional Chinese poetry. Children begin to recognize and read Chinese characters. Fundamental pre-writing skills are introduced such as the strokes of a Chinese character.

4-Year-Old

Formal lesson will be about 20-30 minutes plus additional classwork.

With the increased attention span, children can enjoy lengthier Chinese stories and recall more Chinese vocabulary. Following every lesson, children practice writing common Chinese characters with an emphasis on the proper strokes of each character. At the end of the school year, children should be able to have meaningful and confident conversations in Chinese.