Programs
Infants
Infants
3 months to 18 months
Arrival and Departure
Arrivals and departures involve the rituals that set the tone for the child’s away-from-home experience. At arrival time, warm, leisurely greetings from our staff help assure infants that even though their parents must leave, they are in the hands of trustworthy people who will respect them and keep them safe until their parents return.
Our teachers help children separate by encouraging parents to establish a daily morning ritual for their children to depend on. At departure time, the teachers’ pleasant, friendly good-byes and warm wishes for return allow children to reunite with their parents. They are relieved to see their parents and, at the same time, know that the adults saying good-bye care about them, and they feel comfortable with returning to the center the next day.
Feeding and Mealtime
Babies’ feedings go beyond fulfilling a basic need for nourishing food. For infants, these times provide close physical contact with an attentive adult. When a young infant’s cries of hunger are met with a full bottle and the comforting arms of a teacher, that child can grow and thrive because he or she learns to trust the world as a place where people recognize and respond to an infant’s needs. Mealtime is a time to eat and explore new tastes, smells, and textures and try out self-feeding with fingers, a spoon, and/or a cup.
Bodily Care
For infants, the brief routines of bodily care diaper changes, dressing, and washing occur frequently and regularly throughout the day. This means whenever children are wet or soiled, before and/or after eating and napping, every hour or so, depending on the age.
Naptime
Naptime in an infant program occurs both on demand, and when children tire. Naps provide the sleep and rest necessary for children’s growth and development.
Small Group Time
Small Group Time is a sustained block of time when infants can investigate and explore materials and actions and interact with their peers and caregivers. In a supportive and safe environment that affords interesting materials, opportunities, and space to move in several ways, each child chooses what to do based on personal interests, inclinations, and level of development and ability. Small Group Time provides children with an uninterrupted period of exploration and play.
Pre-Kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten
3 to 5 years / Full Day
The Preschool program at Harbor Child Care provides a supportive environment for all students. Our teacher-to-student ratio enables us to focus on the needs of each child within a carefully planned curriculum with clearly defined educational objectives.
Every day is a learning adventure in our preschool classrooms where children are encouraged and taught to become independent thinkers.
- Classrooms are designed to meet the needs of children ages 3 through 5 years old.
- Activities are a balanced combination of child-initiated and teacher-directed.
- Structured classroom design provides for a rich, learning-focused environment.
- Curriculum adheres to New York Early Learning/Common Core Standards.
- Daily teacher-to-child observations are recorded.
- Parent/Teacher Conferences
- Yearly Child Assessment
- Art/Music Program
- Weekly family engagement activities
- Daily Communication to families
- Healthy well-balanced meals provided by Harbor
Harbor Child Care addresses all important areas of learning through play and focuses on challenging children appropriately through their developmental ages and stages. Educational programming becomes more structured and offers children an opportunity to maximize their ability to succeed.
The daily schedule provides a consistent structure to the day, allowing for the development of routines and rituals. However, it permits the flexibility and openness to follow children’s interest and address their needs. The curriculum encourages and supports a balance of free choice and teacher-guided activities and allows time for small and large group activities. Learning through play offers children hands-on experiences to develop problem-solving skills, social skills, and creative expression. Math, technology, science, and art components are strongly emphasized and incorporated throughout the day through fun, learning activities.
Preschool Block Schedule
(times vary per center)
Morning Routine
- Greeting/quiet activities
- Morning Message
- Breakfast
- Gym/Outside
- Large Group
- Small Group
- Worktime
- Lunch
- Naptime
Afternoon Routine
Large Group
- Snack
- Outside/Gym
- Storytime
Small Group
- Worktime
- Quiet activities
According to researchers: “Ninety percent of brain development happens during a child’s first five years.” The capacity and curiosity to learn are at their greatest when we are our youngest. Maximizing a child’s potential and instilling a desire to learn, grow and succeed is most effective in these early years. Finding the right balance between knowledge, enhancing creativity, inspiring curiosity, and instilling a desire for a lifetime of learning is the focus of all of the Harbor Child Care educational programs.
School-Age
School-Age
Breakfast Club and After School
Harbor Child Care provides a home away from home atmosphere for children in our school-age program. This environment allows children to enjoy social, creative, and educational activities under the supervision of qualified staff members.
The Breakfast Club provides a healthy breakfast and a ride to local schools. The program starts at 7:00 am, drop-off times are from 7:00 am-8:00 am. During Breakfast Club, the children enjoy art projects, games, and playground time. We drop off at the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park, Mineola, Herricks, East Williston, and Glen Cove schools.
After School program picks up from the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park, Mineola, Herricks, East Williston, and Glen Cove schools. The children arrive at the center by 3:30 pm. They enjoy playground time before going inside for a snack. They also have computer access and qualified homework supervision. When the children finish their homework, they enjoy doing art projects, sports, and outdoor time.
When schools are not in session for vacation and holidays, the children engage in more elaborate projects. School-age children always look forward to fun trips offered during all school closings. The holiday program is open from 7:00 am-6:00 pm. The children also eat a healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack.
Summer Camp
Summer Camp
Get ready to enroll your child in our fun-filled Harbor Child Care Summer Program. Your child will meet new friends and make exciting childhood memories of summer fun that will last a lifetime.
Why Harbor Child Care’s Summer Program?
- Daily Clubs: Art, Sports, Music, and Science.
- Weekly trips: Baseball Games, Adventureland, Circle Line Tour, Miss Freeport Fishing Boat, Swimming, Beach Days, and more!
- BBQs every Friday!
- DJ Parties!
- Our summer program runs for ten weeks.
- Our rates include:
- Nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack provided.
- Transportation and fees to all trips.
- Our staff consists of mature, qualified, and nurturing teachers.
- All teachers are CPR/First Aid certified.
- Our classrooms are air-conditioned.
All parents must attend one orientation session. The orientation session explains the program procedures in detail, along with health/safety guidelines as well.
- Orientation dates will follow via email.
- Please find our registration form below. The fee schedule is on the form.
- We look forward to having your child(ren) in our exciting and fun program!
Michele Russell, School Age/Summer Program Director, can be reached at or 516-248-6653 with any questions or concerns.
Toddlers
Toddlers
18 months to 36 months
Arrival and Departure
Arrivals and departures involve the rituals that set the tone for the child’s away-from-home experience. At arrival time, warm, leisurely greetings from our staff help assure toddlers that even though their parents must leave, they are in the hands of trustworthy people who will respect them and keep them safe until their parents return.
Our teachers help children separate by encouraging parents to establish a daily morning ritual for their children to depend on. At departure time, the teachers’ pleasant, friendly good-byes and warm wishes for return allow children to reunite with their parents. They are relieved to see their parents and, at the same time, know that the adults saying good-bye care about them, and they feel comfortable with returning to the center the next day.
Feeding and Mealtime
Toddler’s mealtimes go beyond fulfilling a basic need for nourishing food. Mealtime is a time to eat and explore new tastes, smells, and textures, as well as learn the use of a spoon, fork, and cup. As toddlers eat, they usually enjoy interacting with others and being part of the mealtime conversation.
Bodily Care
For toddlers, the brief routines of bodily care and using the potty or toilet occur frequently and regularly throughout the day. As they get older, and if the child shows readiness skills, parents and teachers will discuss and agree on the planned potty-training process.
Naptime
Naptime in a toddler program occurs when children tire, and as regularly scheduled parts of the day. Naps provide the sleep and rest necessary for children’s growth and development.
Small Group Time
Small Group Time is a sustained block of time when toddlers can investigate and explore materials and actions and interact with their peers and caregivers. In a supportive and safe environment that affords interesting materials, opportunities, and space to move in several ways, each child chooses what to do based on personal interests, inclinations, and level of development and ability. Small Group Time provides children with an uninterrupted period of exploration and play.
