Early Childhood Services

Universal Prekindergarten, Preschool, Nursery Camp, Day Care & Childcare Programs

Department Events - Click Here 

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THE NURTURING OF NURSERY SCHOOL, 

THE PLAY OF PRESCHOOL,  

THE CONVENIENCE OF CHILD CARE,  

THE LOVE OF LEARNING  - ALL IN ONE PROGRAM

Early Childhood Services is designed for children from age 2 through age 5 and their families, and includes Nursery, Not Quite Nursery, Childcare, UPK, as well as extended day and enrichment options.
The Phyllis & Martin Barell Early Childhood Center at the Samuel Field Y is accredited by the New York State Board of Regents, Education Department of the University of the State of New York and licensed by the New York City Department of Health. The Child Care Program offered at the Little Neck Site is approved for funding by the Agency for Child Development.

Purpose

Our preschool programs are designed to offer young children an opportunity to play, explore, and engage in multi-faceted activities. Professionally trained teachers facilitate children’s growth through dynamic educational experiences. We provide a caring day care atmosphere in which children develop and thrive intellectually, socially and emotionally and where families feel welcome.

Instructional Program

Children explore language arts, science, math concepts, music and the arts. We also offer an introduction to computers and provide outstanding resources for gross motor activity and out door play. Each child care center site has state-of-the-art classrooms and creative outdoor playgrounds. In addition, both of the Queens childcare sites have developed additional preschool enrichment programs including literacy and physical education that are offered throughout the year. Nursery school staff and parents remain in close communication through individual conferences scheduled during the year.

Day care centers teachers are licensed by the New York State Department of Education.
There is a teacher and an assistant teacher in each class.

SAMUEL FIELD Y  - Little Neck Site
5820 Little Neck Pkwy
Little Neck, NY 11362

(718) 225-6750 - Ext. 246

Iris Shaw, MS, Director
IShaw@sfy.org

Meet the Director:

As a parent-educator, my early childhood philosophy supports everyday learning, founded on challenging and empowering young
individuals to improve their lives. At our Little Neck site, education in the 21^st. century focuses on building strong minds, bodies
and hearts of those we serve. We aim to provide safe, convenient and quality programs for every child. 

Young children learn best in an inclusive environment that is inviting, child-friendly, and non-threatening. Age appropriate, tactile,
hands-on materials, coupled with a loving, supportive approach from caring adults, together produce an excellent recipe for
success. Young children are naturally curious and embrace moments full of discovery. Here at the Samuel Field Y, the staff and I
continuously encourage children to explore their daily world. We provide a broad range of fun, multicultural, and engaging projects
and activities during scheduled Circle Time, Center Time, Special Gym, Cooking, Music, Computer, Arts and Crafts and special
community/family events. 

Our vast array of curriculum components prepare our diverse student body with a solid educational foundation as they move into
higher levels of learning. As educational milestones are taking place, other significant aspects of development simultaneously take
shape. Daily, young children are naturally evolving socially, emotionally and physically within our friendly and nurturing school
environment. As home-school partners, our goal is to encourage and support development of the whole child, to promote his/her
best potential.

Please feel free to stop by my office and tour our Not-Quite-Nursery, Nursery, UPK and Child Care classrooms. I will be delighted to
meet with you and your child, to discuss the many outstanding educational options available for your 2-5 year old. As the Director
of Early Childhood Programs, I look forward to developing a meaningful partnership with many new families. I hope to see you soon!  

                                                                                                   ~Iris