Promoting early learning and parenting skills
WJCS Early Childhood Centers provide high quality education based on the Pyramid Model for children under 5 together with their parents and caregivers. Early Childhood Centers help to ensure Westchester County’s most vulnerable children and families, isolated by poverty, language and literacy barriers, are set on the path toward school and life success. Through a variety of centers and virtual programming, caregivers and children participate together in engaging and educational activities that support parents as their children’s first and most important teacher.
Infant Toddler Learning Center (ITLC)
The Infant-Toddler Learning Center at the Mary J. Blige Center for Women in Yonkers is an environmental learning experience that fosters healthy relationships between parents and their young children (0-4 years old). It is designed to offer parents knowledge, strategies, and skills that support healthy lifestyle choices.
Parents learn to recognize and validate their child’s emotions, establish nurturing parenting routines, learn about child development, and foster positive self-esteem for themselves and their children.
The Center uses play, art, music, reading, and fine and gross motor activities to support parent-child interaction and learning. Staff design curriculums, interact with families, model nurturing interactions, and lead discussions appropriate to the interests and needs of the families.
ITLC runs Mondays through Thursdays from 10:30 to 12:30 October through July. The center is one of several programs located at the Mary J. Blige Center for Women. The program meets at Van Cortland Park during the summer months.
Click HERE to view the ITLC flyer or contact Tamara Robinson, Yonkers Coordinator (914) 595-0041; [email protected]
New Rochelle Parent Child Center (PCC)
The New Rochelle Parent Child Center (PCC) is an early learning program for parents and their young children (0–4 years old). PCC has been running for over 20 years, serving families facing diverse obstacles to educational success. PCC follows the PIWI Model (Parents Interacting With Infants) which gives parents the confidence and competence to support their children’s early learning through joyful play. This is part of the Pyramid Model which is the basis for all WJCS Early Childhood Programming.
Parents and children participate together in this center-based program housed at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, Mascaro Club House at 79 Seventh Street, New Rochelle. PCC is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to12:00 PM October through May. Early childhood play activities, parent education, family literacy and community resource information and referrals are provided.
Click HERE to view the PCC flyer or contact Rivka Gorin, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Centers and Virtual Programs (914) 949-7699 x2426; [email protected] for more details.
Tarrytown Parent Child Center (PCC)
New in October 2022, WJCS Early Childhood Programs opened a Parent Child Center in Tarrytown modelled on the New Rochelle PCC. Parents and children participate together in this center-based program housed at the Community Opportunity Center of Tarrytown at 105 Wildey Street. The Tarrytown PCC is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 12:00 from October to May.
Click HERE to view the Tarrytown PCC flyer or contact Rivka Gorin, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Centers and Virtual Programs (914) 949-7699 ext. 2426; [email protected] for more details.
Summer Fun at Hartley Park
Summer Fun at Hartley Park is a two-morning-a-week playgroup that serves parents, caregivers and their children from birth to 5 years old. The program supports summer fun and learning and builds community engagement. The Program is run in collaboration with the City of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Department and the Mount Vernon Public Library at Hartley Park in Mount Vernon, at the corner of Gramatan Avenue and Oakley Avenue on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 12:00 for seven weeks starting in June.
Contact Janet Paseltiner, Mount Vernon Coordinator (914) 949-7699 x2479; [email protected] for more details.