This 8600 SF, early childhood center opened in September 2008 on a school campus for girls in Staten Island. The concept is that establishing a separate center for the youngest students to allow them to learn through play and demonstration.

There are four L-shaped classrooms with extensive daylight. Each classroom has through-floor radiant heating, a wet art and science zone, as well as play acting and literacy areas. Each classroom, with its own entrance alcove, is grouped around a shared hallway which features community art and the children’s work. The main entrance contains a stained glass logo illustrating the school’s mission.

The new center, with brick and “barseboard” on a steel and wood frame, is harmonious with the nearby Cotswold-inspired main house. Young students benefit from covered porches which leads them to the cafeteria to the west and playground to the southeast.