HELP Daycare

children sitting on daycare floor s

About the Program

HELP USA offers a suite of early childhood programs in the Bronx (HELP Daycare), serving children in shelters and the surrounding community.

Our enriching programs enable children to develop their emotional, physical, social, and cognitive skills and become successful lifelong learners. The broad offerings at HELP Daycare aim to ensure that all children, including those with special needs and dual-language learners, along with their families, will be school-ready when they begin kindergarten.

We believe children can learn and grow when they are provided with a foundation of developmentally appropriate practices offered in a secure and nurturing environment.

Programs

All of our programs are located within homeless shelters, providing service for both children of the shelters and families within the community. Our programs and services are trauma-informed—regardless of their circumstances, we approach all of our clients with understanding and sensitivity.

Our teaching staff focuses on education and early childhood development. This includes work utilizing interaction, age-appropriate learning materials, and thoughtful interaction in a physical environment. Our educational content aligns with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) and the New York Prekindergarten Early Learning Standard (NYSPLS). Our classrooms all follow the DOE Interdisciplinary Units of Study, Exploration, and Connections Early Childhood Curricula.

HELP Daycare also promotes continuity of care, which is especially important for young children’s development. This is done by having children stay together with the same teachers or group of children from when they first enter the program until age 3. They move from one age-appropriate environment to another as they achieve developmental milestones.

children reading on floor

Our programs include targeted efforts to engage children in preparing to enter kindergarten. These efforts have included:

  • A transition workshop for pre-k families focusing on self-help skills, independence, and language development
  • Informational parent/caregiver workshop on understanding the transition to public school
  • Informational tabling events from charter schools in the area to provide knowledge to pre-k families
  • Supportive activities for pre-k students, such as reading books to get them comfortable with and excited about the idea of starting kindergarten
  • A field trip to a public school and kindergarten classroom so the children can get a hands-on experience of what the “big school” is like
African black ethnicity mother having fun with her daughter in the squeaker of the playground of the city park in the sunset

In addition, HELP Daycare believes in the role of family engagement in education. Family members have the opportunity to volunteer, and parent meetings are regularly held. Regular family engagement activities are also held, including holiday events, outdoor activities and sports days, and workshops.

The educational curriculum of HELP Daycare is designed to encourage children to be active learners who learn through play, exploration, and their relationships with teaching staff and peers.

HELP Daycare Corp Parent Handbook (English)
HELP Daycare Corp Parent Handbook (Spanish)

Morris Early Childhood Program

Serving the West Bronx, covering the western half of the borough

HUS morris early childhood program map

Crotona Early Childhood Program

Serving Crotona Park North, located in the Southwest Bronx

HUS crotona early childhood program map
[table id=1 /]

Children are enrolled in HELP Daycare based on the following:

  • Extended Day/Year or Head Start Eligibility
  • Available space in the program
  • Updated medical information
  • Updated IFSP or IEP

All families must:

  • Complete a child care application and fulfill eligibility requirements.
  • Meet the poverty guidelines and/or fall into an area of categorical eligibility (Head Start only).
  • Submit documents needed for eligibility determination.
Morris Early Childhood Program - Enrollment Application
Crotona Early Childhood Program - Enrollment Application

Please see below for additional support resources for parents.

Parent Helpline (Open 24/7 in English and Spanish)

(800) 342-7472

Parent Help

(800) 716-3468

Early Intervention Referral Hotline

(877) 885-5439

Bronx Parent Resource Center Office

975 Kelly St., Suite 301, Bronx, NY 10459
Classes: 2488 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10458
Tel: (718) 220-0456
Fax: (718) 364-3357

Dominican Sisters Family Health Service, Infant Toddler/Parent Program

279 Alexander Ave., Bronx, NY 10454
(718) 665-6557

Nurse-Family Partnership Program, Visiting Nurse Service of New York

1200 Waters Place, Bronx, NY 10461
Tel: (718) 536-3789
Fax: (718) 678-8424

Prevention Information Resource Center: Parent to Parent New York

(800) 405-8818
(212) 741-5545

HDCC community assessment green graphic

For further resources, please refer to our Community Assessment.

Programs

All of our programs are located within homeless shelters, providing service for both children of the shelters and families within the community. Our programs and services are trauma-informed—regardless of their circumstances, we approach all of our clients with understanding and sensitivity.

Our teaching staff focuses on education and early childhood development. This includes work utilizing interaction, age-appropriate learning materials, and thoughtful interaction in a physical environment. Our educational content aligns with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) and the New York Prekindergarten Early Learning Standard (NYSPLS). Our classrooms all follow the DOE Interdisciplinary Units of Study, Exploration, and Connections Early Childhood Curricula.

children reading on floor

HELP Daycare also promotes continuity of care, which is especially important for young children’s development. This is done by having children stay together with the same teachers or group of children from when they first enter the program until age 3. They move from one age-appropriate environment to another as they achieve developmental milestones.

Our programs include targeted efforts to engage children in preparing to enter kindergarten. These efforts have included:

  • A transition workshop for pre-k families focusing on self-help skills, independence, and language development
  • Informational parent/caregiver workshop on understanding the transition to public school
  • Informational tabling events from charter schools in the area to provide knowledge to pre-k families
  • Supportive activities for pre-k students, such as reading books to get them comfortable with and excited about the idea of starting kindergarten
  • A field trip to a public school and kindergarten classroom so the children can get a hands-on experience of what the “big school” is like
African black ethnicity mother having fun with her daughter in the squeaker of the playground of the city park in the sunset

In addition, HELP Daycare believes in the role of family engagement in education. Family members have the opportunity to volunteer, and parent meetings are regularly held. Regular family engagement activities are also held, including holiday events, outdoor activities and sports days, and workshops.

The educational curriculum of HELP Daycare is designed to encourage children to be active learners who learn through play, exploration, and their relationships with teaching staff and peers.

HELP Daycare Corp Parent Handbook (English)
HELP Daycare Corp Parent Handbook (Spanish)

HELP Daycare Locations

Morris Early Childhood Program

Serving the West Bronx, covering the western half of the borough

Crotona Early Childhood Program

Serving Crotona Park North, located in the Southwest Bronx

School Year Calendar

DateDayEvent
March 15FridayClerical Day, Parent-Teacher Conferences. Students do not attend.
March 29FridayGood Friday, School Closed
April 22–26Monday–FridaySpring Recess, School Closed
May 27MondayMemorial Day, School Closed
June 6ThursdayProfessional Development Day, School Closed
June 14FridayClerical Day, Parent-Teacher Conferences. Students do not attend.
June 19WednesdayJuneteenth, School Closed

Registration Process

Children are enrolled in HELP Daycare based on the following:

  • Extended Day/Year or Head Start Eligibility
  • Available space in the program
  • Updated medical information
  • Updated IFSP or IEP

All families must:

  • Complete a child care application and fulfill eligibility requirements.
  • Meet the poverty guidelines and/or fall into an area of categorical eligibility (Head Start only).
  • Submit documents needed for eligibility determination.
Morris Early Childhood Program - Enrollment Application
Crotona Early Childhood Program - Enrollment Application

Parenting Support & Case Management

Please see below for additional support resources for parents.

Parent Helpline (Open 24/7 in English and Spanish)

(800) 342-7472

Parent Help

(800) 716-3468

Early Intervention Referral Hotline

(877) 885-5439

Bronx Parent Resource Center Office

975 Kelly St., Suite 301, Bronx, NY 10459
Classes: 2488 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10458
Tel: (718) 220-0456
Fax: (718) 364-3357

Dominican Sisters Family Health Service, Infant Toddler/Parent Program

279 Alexander Ave., Bronx, NY 10454
(718) 665-6557

Nurse-Family Partnership Program, Visiting Nurse Service of New York

1200 Waters Place, Bronx, NY 10461
Tel: (718) 536-3789
Fax: (718) 678-8424

Prevention Information Resource Center: Parent to Parent New York

(800) 405-8818
(212) 741-5545

HDCC community assessment green graphic

For further resources, please refer to our Community Assessment.

Contact us

Get in touch with our team.

Stay Connected.

Self-Referral Form

Client Referral for Services





Photo Inquiry