FAQs

Are your centers contracted with the Department of Education?

Yes! We are a New York City Early Education Center (NYCEEC) contracted with the DOE to provide high-quality education to the inner city children of New York.

What qualifications do your teachers have?

Our teachers have either a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and some of our teachers are bilingual (speaking either Spanish, French, Creole, or other languages).

Why should I choose your preschool program?

Because we offer a complete solution that prepares inner city children to have a smarter start to their future. Our students leave preschool with a foundation in academics and have the benefit of exposure to urban gardening, skill in playing a musical instrument, speaking conversational Spanish, and the ability to communicate in sign language.

Can you register for preschool any time during the year?

Yes, you can. Many families in our community move frequently and have to find new accommodations. This often means they’re too far from their previous school. We welcome them and allow them to register and attend at any time of the year. Do understand that school officially runs from September through June and that your child may miss some training if they arrive later in the academic year.

What are your preschool hours?

Our preschool class hours are from 8:30AM – 2:50PM, Monday – Friday.

Are you open for early drop offs?

Yes! Our centers open at 7:00AM to accommodate the families who need to drop their children off early.

Can I volunteer? How committed are you to parent involvement?

We encourage parental involvement because it leads to a complete partnership between home and school. Children, parents, and schools must be in harmony for success. We believe that involved parents ensure the child’s academic success. We encourage parents to schedule time to volunteer in the classrooms and especially on outings.

Can my Daycare child participate in the extracurricular activities?

Yes! Our daycare students are able to benefit and participate in some of the same activities that our preschool students are exposed to. Being younger and less prepared academically, some activities would not be age-appropriate for the daycare students. Rest assured that they will be able to exhaust everything else that fits their cognitive levels.

Do your centers offer transportation?

Though we do not provide transportation, we are able to provide you with a list of well-vetted and trustworthy transportation services for pick up and/or drop off, if needed. These services provide their own policies and operating methods independent of MOHDC SmartStart Nature Academy.

Download our full-color Parent Handbook for more information.

Feel free to contact us with specific questions that are not listed here. We’re happy to help you.