Child and family services
We believe that family is the principal force preparing children for school and life. Parents and caregivers are their children’s primary teachers and it is critical that they be able to support and reinforce the learning and development experienced by children in our program. We encourage parental engagement in an effort to optimize their children’s learning and developmental experiences. We host family literacy workshops helping families enrich their home literacy environments by encouraging parents to read with their children and build practices that increase literacy and vocabulary critical for future academic success.
Review the offerings below to learn more about the many educational services for children and families in place across our agency.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start offer a high-quality educational experience to income-eligible children in many locations on the Lower East Side and in the East Village. Our Head Start programs supplement academic learning with opportunities for children to express and develop their creativity, learn about health and wellness, and explore their community. Families receive support with employment and social services. Eligibility is based on Head Start guidelines.
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Early Learn
Early Learn NYC programs, which are contracted with the city, offer subsidized child care for parents who reside in NYC. Parents who have been approved for Early Learn are offered spaces within our classroom for children who are 2 years old to 5 years old.
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Universal Pre-K
We are proud to offer a free full-day, high-quality Universal Pre-K program in the Educational Alliance Preschool at the Manny Cantor Center, as a community partner with the NYC Department of Education. We have limited spaces available in this program and would love to tell you more and welcome you into our community. All you need is your NYC ID!
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Educational Alliance Preschool
Educational Alliance Preschool at Manny Cantor Center is a progressive early childhood center that welcomes families of all backgrounds. Teachers and children work collaboratively to co-construct a curriculum that draws inspiration from the children’s interests. Families are our partners, joining together with the children and teachers to create a seamless connection between home and school. Exploration, play, open ended questions, and beautiful spaces provide an excellent framework for learning.
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14th Street Y Preschool
The 14th Street Y’s renowned Preschool offers unique environments in which kids can question, problem-solve, create and grow. Kids two to five are in class 12 to 30 hours per week. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia and Bank Street approaches, our downtown Preschool creates learning opportunities that provoke thinking. Kids explore, touch, sense and solve in many ways, in classroom environments where young children feel respected, trusted and empowered.
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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Edgies Teen Center
Since its inception in 2007, the Edgies Teen Center, Boys & Girls Club located in Manny Cantor Center, has developed into an engaging free hub for teens that live or go to school in the Lower East Side. We provide strengths-based youth development through our four pillars: Academic Enrichment, Arts and Culture, Health and Wellness, and Social/Emotional Development and Leadership.
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After School Programs & BGCA
Educational Alliance’s Afterschool Programs on the Lower East Side and East Village provide almost 1900 youth a safe place to go during after school hours, including school holidays and summer. Each of our sites is also a Boys & Girls Club.
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Joseph B. Rosenblatt College Prep Program
Fully 100% of our College Prep students who apply to college are accepted to at least one of the schools to which they submitted an application. Most are the first in their families to go to college. These are just some of the results we have been achieving each year since the creation of this important program in 2007
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The KOL Program
The KOL program at the 14th Street Y offers Saturday recreational programming for children aged four to seventeen with special needs and their families. Launched in 2010 as a pilot program with just two offerings, KOL has grown to offer a variety of classes in sports, aquatics and the arts.
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CAMPS
New Country Day Camp
New Country Day Camp is set on 75 acres of the Henry Kaufman Campgrounds on Staten Island. Children entering grades K-6 swim, play sports and discover the world around them in an enriching, inclusive setting informed by Jewish values. Children in grades 2-6 choose their own programs in the afternoon from eight camp units– from sports to photojournalism. Younger children (grades K and 1) have the opportunity to make their own smaller choices within a structured, nurturing, age-appropriate environment. In the summer of 2014, New Country served 650 children, drawn from Lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn.
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New Town Day Camp
New Town Day Camp, located at the 14th Street Y, provides children ages 3.6 through 6 with a safe and active day camp experience. We use the entire facility, including the pool, indoor gym, rooftop playground, art studio, and air-conditioned preschool classrooms. Programming features daily water and imagination play on our rooftop, weekly swim instruction (a minimum of 3x per week), and regular classes and activities in the art studio. Campers are supervised by counselors with early childhood experience who facilitate Reggio inspired explorations throughout the summer.
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Toddler Summer Day Camp at 14th Street Y
Toddler Summer Day Camp at the 14th Street Y serves children aged 17 months to 3.5 years. The camp has two options. Mini-camp for ages 17 months to 3.5 years, has a morning session and an afternoon session. A parent or caregiver must accompany the child at all times. On Our Way is for children ages 2.4 to 3.5 years who have completed a separated program such as Two x Two. We offer a morning session and an afternoon one. Adults and children play together for half an hour on the rooftop playground. The remaining two hours are spent inside without adults. Children are presented with art activities, music and movement, circle time, story time, and snacks.
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Holiday Camp at 14th Street Y
The 14th Street Y runs enriching and fun Holiday Camp programs for children in K-5 during public school holiday vacations and teacher conferences. Activities include field trips, swim time, gym games, and more.
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Teen Theater Summer Camp
The Teen Theater Summer Camp is a two-week long downtown theater experience for children entering 6th grade to those finishing 12th grade. No experience is necessary. Students can study with experts in acting, singing, dancing, and playwriting and can design their own programs based on their particular interests. Programming also includes audition preparation for high school, college, and community theater programs.
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Spring Break Teen Theater Holiday Camp
At the Spring Break Teen Theater Holiday Camp, students learn about acting, improv, public speaking, and more, gaining experience being in our professional black box theater.
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Tompkins Square Middle School Summer Camp`
Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm (July 8th-August 8th 2019)
Location: 600 East 6th Street (between Ave B/C)
Contact: Essence Bowens, EBowens@edalliance.org
Activities: Dance, Drama, Table Tennis, Fencing, Therapeutic Art, STEM, and weekly trips
PS 64 Youth Development Summer Program
Hours: 8am- 4:30pm (July 5th- August 17th 2018)
Location: PS 64 – 600 East 6th Street
Contact: Jemery@edalliance.org
Activities: Academic Enrichment & Talent Development
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PS 140 Youth Development Summer Program
Hours: 8am-4:30pm (July 5th- August 17th 2018)
Location: PS 140 – 123 Ridge Street
Contact: Crivera@edalliance.org
Activities: Academic Enrichment & Talent Development
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PARENTS
2Generation Program
Our 2Generation program is the first of its kind in New York City. This program is designed to strengthen family functioning, enhance family financial stability, help parents overcome obstacles to furthering their education, and inform parents about education options as their children progress in school.
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MCC Parenting Center
At the MCC Parenting Center, families come together to connect and build friendships within a safe learning environment nurtured by our expert facilitators. This welcoming space within the Manny Cantor Center offers neighborhood families a true community, while providing support for the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of raising a family.
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14th Street Y Parenting Center
The 14th Street Y is rich with resources for parents of young children. Our discussion groups are open to all parents, regardless of where your child may be enrolled. Topics cover a range of parenting concerns, from fostering empathy and setting limits to gender identity and work-life balance.
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