Families can begin their lifelong CQY journey with Early Childhood Programs. Parents of newborns through five-year-olds have a myriad of enriching, educational and just plain fun nursery school parenting programs and preschool classes from which to choose. We design child care programming around the ways children learn and succeed. Our teaching staff brings years of experience with children to the development of innovative new programming. Active, hands-on projects give children a sense of accomplishment and the joy of learning—the Magic of Active Learning with Friends.  Music, gardening, arts and crafts are integrated into a learning environment that engages all children. Please come and join the welcoming CQY family where your child can blossom.

Nursery School please contact Jonathan Shevin, Director,  718-268-5011 ext. 401

The Magic of Active Learning with Friends.

Our Early Childhood Center knows how 3 to 5 year olds learn.  We’ve successfully raised over a generation of neighborhood children and still make nursery school new!  As you and your child set off on the school journey, rest assured the CQY provides a nurturing preschool environment that develops each child’s educational potential, self-confidence and social skills.  Certified teachers and trained assistant teachers know every child and family.

These are the crucial years when toddlers transform into elementary school students. Our professional teaching staff creates warm learning environments that encourage exploration and collaboration. Children learn through hands-on experience and individualized instruction.

Our nursery school classes are enriched by the resources of the CQY. We bring talented instructors from other departments in order to offer gym, music, swim and Hebrew programming.

And, tuition includes family membership in the CQY from September to June!

The  vision of our Center’s nursery school  is to create a welcoming atmosphere where neighborhood children become friends, families are supported, and community networks are born.

Three Year Olds:

Full day: Our 8:45 to 3:45 classroom day teaches to the whole child and the full range of learning styles.
Storytime, playdeck, small group projects…
Specials include: Gym, Instructional Swim, Music and Movement, Hebrew.

Back by Popular Demand!
Enrichment: 8:45 to 1:45, five days a week.
Specials include: Gym, Dance or Yoga, Arts and Crafts, Music and Movement.

Three half days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:45-11:45.
Specials include: Gym, Music and Movement.

Four Year Olds:

Full Day: Our 8:45 to 3:45 classroom day teaches to the whole child and the full range of learning styles.
Storytime, playdeck, small group projects…
Specials include: Gym, Instructional Swim, Music and Movement, Hebrew.

UPK and Wraparound: 8:45-3:45, five days a week.
Specials include: Gym 2X per week, Music and Movement in both Wraparound and UPK.

Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)for NYC residents: 2 ½ hours a day, five days a week.
Free of Charge.
Specials include: Gym, Music and Movement.

An extended day is available with an additional charge from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

To complete both forms online, click here!

Parenting Classes, please contact Robin Kaufman, Program Manager, 718-268-5011 ext. 482

The Parenting Center at Central Queens YM & YWHA provides the most welcoming, nurturing, and educational programs available in Queens. We offer classes for newborns to three year olds in music, dance, arts and crafts, movement, and pre-nursery separation. Our parenting classes provide the crucial foundation for youngsters who successfully advance to our nursery school and beyond. The Parenting Center serves more than 100 families and openly welcomes all members of our community. We are the hospitality center for families, helping them to discover one another and build a supportive, neighborhood feeling in our diverse community.

In all of our parenting classes, your child will learn basic educational skills in addition to learning how to share, take turns, listen, make friends and become self sufficient. Your toddler’s coordination, fine and gross motor skills, memory, attention span and language will be developed and fine-tuned by participating in our programs. We work closely with our preschool social workers to support families facing learning problems or family issues.  Our caring, devoted staff is available for support, guidance, information, and resources the minute you step into the building.

To see our current class schedule please click here.