Program Offerings
Giocare Playschool strives to provide a program that works for each child that enters its doors. We use an emergent and responsive approach in the classroom to provide an individualized and appropriate education. Above all, we work toward educating and caring for the whole child and nurturing strengths.
Who We Serve
- Children 2-years-old by start date up through 5-years-old (end of Prek). We have a 3K program for our 3-year-olds and Prek for All program for our 4-year-olds.
- We offer options for 2-5 days a week (for 2s only, both 3K and Prek are 5 days a week)
- We offer mornings, school day, and full day programming (3K and Prek are school days)
Curriculum/Assessment
- We currently use a blend of emergent and teacher-planned lessons along with Creative Curriculum for infants/toddlers and twos and Creative Curriculum for preschool children.
- We strive to create an approach that is both purposeful and flexible and allows us to meet the individual needs of the children in our program.
- Assessment methods are authentic as we use the children’s work and behaviors to move our instruction forward.
Specials & Field Trips
- We focus most of our walking trips on visiting our local community. Trips have included the fire station, doctor and dentist office, Prospect Park, local flower and pizza shop and various grocery stores.
- We generally have professionals visiting us during the school year including an in-house art teacher.
Parent Involvement
- We provide daily updates, which include pertinent care information as well as additional school information or pictures (Brightwheel).
- Weekly, we provide a newsletter that includes more detailed information about the week’s activities and additional pictures. It also includes important upcoming dates.
- Two times a year we have parent-teacher conferences
- Monthly we have a family committee meeting where parents can be informed about the overall program, ask questions and share in decision-making. We also have diversity & equity meetings where parents can learn and share ideas.
- Parents can participate in our program by volunteering to join us on a field trip, help with the Book Fair or picture day, or visit the classroom to share a cultural or family tradition!
Licensing & Ratios
- We are fully permitted by the NYC Department of Heath & Mental Hygiene.
- All staff is background checked, fingerprinted and has appropriate trainings and educational background for their position.
- Our Permit requires a 1:6 ratio of teachers to 2 year olds, 1:7.5 for 3 year olds and 1:9 for 4 year olds. We strive to have a ratio of 1:4 in our youngest class most often.
Our Facility
- Our site is at 552 5th Avenue (corner of 15th Street).
- We occupy the 1st and 2nd floor and lower level of a commercial building.
- We are permitted for more than 100 children in the entire facility – 66 on the 2nd floor upstairs, 30 on the 1st floor and 29 in the lower level – with an office, mezzanine and reception area.
Meals/Snacks
Lunch is provided daily for children that stay after 12noon – choices are classic lunch, vegetarian lunch, dairy/egg free lunch, or soy/gluten free lunch. All lunches are nut, pork and shellfish free. Fruit and vegetable snack is also provided daily in the morning and afternoon before the 3pm dismissal (and late afternoon for children that stay full day) as well as cheese and sometimes pretzels or crackers.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GiocarePlayschool
Please call or email with questions:
Ellen Cerniglia, Ed.D., Director
ellen@giocareplayschool.com
(ph) 347-827-1372
Jessica Clunn, Assistant Director
Jessica@giocareplayschool.com
(ph) 347-827-1593
Dinelle Deonarine, Assistant Director
dinelle@giocareplayschool.com