Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education

Our Services

Our Early Childhood Education (ECED) programs provide exceptional pre-school education to children from infancy to age 5, as well as pregnant mothers. We offer a variety of programs through home-based, center-based and family childcare models. All our programs ensure that each child receives high-quality education, along with exceptional comprehensive health, nutritional and social services. Our programs also utilize a two-generational strengths-based approach to family engagement to address child and family needs and to support families in achieving their goals.


                The ECED utilizes the Head Start Program Performance Standards, guidance from the Office of Head Start, and other mandated                          regulatory agencies to strengthen overall program quality and outcomes for children and their families. The program applies new tools to                      support staff in analyzing classroom and child-based assessment data, identifying trends to inform new practices, and address needs                 through professional development and practice-based coaching.

CMCS provides Early Childhood Services in the following areas:

Early Head Start                                                                 Head Start                                                   Department of Education

Pregnant Women & Children (Prenatal to 3 months)     Ages 3 to 5 years                                  Universal Pre-K: (Ages 3 to 5 years)                            

Home Based (3 months to 3 years)                            Home Based and Center Based              Department of Education Family Childcare (Birth to 4 years)

Center Based (6 months to 3 years)

Family Childcare (3 months to 3 years)


All our programs operate with the same goals in mind:

  • Healthy pregnancies and postpartum support
  • Father Involvement
  • Support Healthy Parent-Child Relationships
  • Advancing developmental milestones
  • Building strong relationships with peers
  • Kindergarten Readiness

Cardinal McCloskey
Community Services

We currently serve in 10 areas throughout New York.

Bronx Office (Main)
Early Head Start Family Childcare, Home-Based & Pregnant Women
529 Courtlandt Ave
Bronx, NY 10451
 
Msgr. Boyle
Head Start/UPK
3044 Hull Avenue
Bronx, NY 10467
 
Anna Lefkowitz - Head Start
690 Westchester Avenue
Bronx, NY 10455
 
Concord
560 Concord Avenue
Bronx, NY 10455
 
Mansion Street
Head Start
1750 Mansion Street
Bronx, NY 10460
Sacred Heart
Head Start
95 West 168th Street
Bronx, NY 10452
 
St. Nicholas of Tolentine
Head Start
2331 University Avenue
Bronx, NY 10468
 
E. 180th Street
899 East 180th Street
Bronx, NY 10460
 
Longfellow
Early Head Start
1926 Longfellow Avenue
Bronx, NY 10460
 
Aquinas
Early Head Start/Head Start
685 E. 182nd Street
Bronx, NY 10457
                                      Valhalla Office
                      115 E. Stevens Ave, Suite LL5
                             Valhalla, NY 10595

Who Can Apply?

Early Head Start and Head Start eligibility is determined by Head Start guidelines. Eligible individuals include pregnant women and families with children ages birth to 5 years. DOE Child Care is based on working families' income and/or student status (full- or part-time).   

Who Can Apply?

Early Head Start and Head Start eligibility is determined by Head Start guidelines. Eligible individuals include pregnant women and families with children ages birth to 5 years. DOE Child Care is based on working families' income and/or student status (full- or part-time).   

How To Apply?

Please bring the following documents with you if you have them available:

  • Certified Birth Certificate
  • Proof of Income
  • Proof of Address

You can schedule an appointment at any site between 8:00AM and 4:00PM to fill out an application.  

Head Start Programs

Home and Center Based

Since 2009, Head Start has been a part of the CMCS family and has grown to serve over 1,000 children and families in the Bronx. Head Start programs continue to strive to ensure children receive quality educational, health and nutritional services in a classroom setting. The goal of the program is to improve the lives of low-income children and families by providing exceptional preschool education to 3 and 4 year olds in full day session.

Emphasis is also placed on family enrichment through engaging parents in their children’s learning and helping parents progress toward their educational, literacy, and employment goals. In addition, the program offers support services to parents to enable them to help their children thrive in school.

Early Head Start

Early Head Start

The Early Head Start program, under Head Start continues to strive to ensure children receive quality educational, health, nutritional, and social services in a classroom and home environment. The goal of the program is to improve the lives of low-income children and families.  We provide exceptional infant and toddler education to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers in center based full day, family childcare, and home base sessions. CMCS Early Head Start program has been a part of the CMCS family under the Head Start grant since 2018 and has grown, servicing infants and toddlers.

We have a new site for Center Based Early Head Start services opening soon in the West Farms neighborhood of the Bronx! Emphasis is placed on family enrichment through engaging parents in their children’s learning and helping parent’s progress toward their educational, literacy and employment goals. In addition, the program offers support services to parents to enable them to help their children thrive in school and be their child’s first teacher.

For more information on Early Head Start Services please call 914-539-5464.

Early Head Start Family Child Care (FCC)

CMCS currently operates a Family Child Care under Early Head Start.  Infants and toddlers that qualify for Early Head Start services have the opportunity to enroll in Family Child Care for children ages 2 months to 3 years, on a daily basis. 

All the families we serve live in the South Bronx. Many of the current families served are low income families working in vocational or accredited educational programs, and newly immigrated families that live in shelters and need FREE family childcare services. Every child participating in one of our Family Daycare programs is enrolled in the Child and Adult Care Food Program to ensure that they receive nutritional meals, snacks, and Infant Formula. The providers also offer free diapers and wipes. 

In addition, our CMCS Family Child Care Developmental Specialist and Health Manager work in conjunction with the Family Childcare providers, to provide individual and group trainings to the child care providers as well as technical assistance and support to enhance their services to the children in their care. This valuable program allows parents to enter the workforce and be assured that their children are safe and secure.

For more information on our EHS Family Child Care Services call 914-539-5464.

Early Head Start - Home-Based Model

Early Head Start Home Base services are provided through weekly home visits to each enrolled child and family. The home visitor provides child-focused visits that promote the parents' ability to support their child's development. These visits are 90 minutes each on a weekly basis.  Many of the current families served are low income families working in vocational or accredited educational programs and/or have physical, emotional, or intellectual challenges. The program offers opportunities for parents and children to come together as a Socialization Group for learning, discussion, and social activity.

Early Head Start - Home-Base Pregnancy Support Model

CMCS’ Home Base Pregnancy Model’s mission is to serve pregnant women and their families and to provide services for the child and family upon delivery. The goal is to provide early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and family support services. We offer weekly 90-minute home visits and once a month socialization groups for pregnant women.

The goal of the Pregnancy Support Model is to provide the best opportunity for:

  • healthy pregnancies and positive childbirth outcomes
  • supportive postpartum care for the parents and child
  • fathers to become fully involved in the lives of their very young children
  • supporting and enhancing parent child attachments
  • parents to develop as nurturing and responsive caregivers during infancy

For more information about our Family Child Care programs call 914-539-5464.

EarlyLearn Family Child Care Programs - DOE

CMCS currently operates a Family Child Care network and our Group Day Care centers. Our Family Day Care Program is the largest provider of subsidized child care in New York City, for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years, on a daily basis. We have a long-standing history of service throughout the Bronx and have been in operation since 1973.

The families we serve live in one of the five boroughs of New York City, with the majority of the recipients of services residing in the Bronx. Many of the current families served are low income families working in vocational or accredited educational programs and/or have physical, emotional, or intellectual challenges that prevent them from adequately meeting the needs of their children without additional supports.

Our staff provides support to the families and providers and function as liaisons and advocates for the children in their care. With this direct support and supervision, the family child care network provides comprehensive service to each family receiving services and each child care provider. Every child participating in one of our daycare programs is enrolled in the Child and Adult Care Food Program to ensure that they receive nutritional meals and snacks. In addition, CMCS offers individual and group trainings to the child care providers as well as technical assistance and support to enhance their services to the children in their care. This valuable program allows parents to enter the workforce and be assured that their children are safe and secure.

For more information on our Family Child Care programs call (718) 402-0081 ext. 238.

Pre-K and 3K for All

CMCS has partnered with New York City’s Department of Education (DOE) to provide services in Pre-K for All for 4 year olds and 3k for 3 year olds in some of our site locations.  Please call the site in which you are interested to learn if DOE services are offered.  Please note, you may have to apply to both the DOE, as well our program, to enroll; and, NYC DOE has specific enrollment deadlines.

Please click below to view our Head Start Annual Reports

Please click below to view our ECED Program Overview

For more information please email us at eced@cmcs.org

Please contact us with any questions you may have about those we serve or the work we do at Cardinal McCloskey Community Services.