Families
The first five years are everything
90% of your child’s brain develops by age 5.
Children need quality early learning that builds
Language
Words to think and make sense of the world
Resilience
The ability to bounce back when life gets tough
Curiosity
The desire to learn and ask questions
Connection
How to make friends and work through conflict
Joyful learning
How do you know if your child is getting what they need?
Your child deserves learning that’s joyful—where they play, explore, and grow through rich relationships with caring adults.
DAY ONE creates a locally powered engine, built on what brain science confirms: the first five years are critical, and every day matters. Our classrooms turn those days into playful, language-rich experiences where educators engage intentionally with each child, sparking curiosity and connection through caring relationships.
Find care & learning
Find strong and joyful early learning where you live.
DAY ONE works with programs that believe in quality, play-based learning. Many run by our Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway graduates.
The DAY ONE Early Learning Center is a model teaching and learning center located at 70 Hooker Avenue in Poughkeepsie, New York.
What you’ll find:
For more information or to register your child: [email protected]
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30am–3pm (extended 8am–5pm available)
- Classrooms: Toddlers (18-36 months), 3-year-olds, mixed ages (3-5), and two UPK classrooms for 4-year-olds in Poughkeepsie City School District
- Licensed by NYS Office of Children and Family Services
- Staffing: Every classroom has a lead teacher and assistant teacher
- No toilet training required
DAY ONE Affiliate Providers
Some DAY ONE Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway graduates run their own child care centers or home-based programs. We call them Affiliate Providers.
They stay connected to DAY ONE through ongoing training and support, and mentor future educators.
What you’ll find:
- Teachers trained through the Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway (DAY ONE TAP)
- Quality, play-based learning rooted in how young children develop
- Community-based care led by educators who know the families they serve
- Ongoing support through the DAY ONE network
Learn more about Affiliate Providers near you.
Frequently asked questions
The DAY ONE Early Learning Center serves children from 18 months to age 5. Affiliate providers may also care for infants.
Monday–Friday. Standard hours are 8:30am–3:00pm with extended day hours available from 8-8:30am and 3pm-5pm.
We train educators to make the most of this critical stage—turning each day into a world of play, language, and discovery. Children don’t just arrive ready for kindergarten. They arrive curious, confident, and eager to grow. We feature bilingual classrooms and rich cultural engagement and exploration.
Yes. DAY ONE is committed to affordability and works with each family to explore available financial options and build a plan that works. For specific information on tuition and financial aid, please contact DAY ONE directly at [email protected].
The center is located at 70 Hooker Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Contact us at [email protected]
Testimonials
DAY ONE empowers parents to be a part of their children’s education and support brain building outside of the classroom.
Educator
The DAY ONE TAP Experience: Firsthand Accounts | DAY ONE Early Learning Community
TAP Apprentice
The DAY ONE TAP Experience: Kingston – Cohort 2 | Student's Experience
TAP Apprentice
The DAY ONE TAP Experience: Students shares her experience at the TAP Program
TAP Apprentice
The DAY ONE TAP Experience: Teacher Apprenticeship Program: Our Student's Experiences
Educator
The DAY ONE TAP Experience: Chanel Whitaker – Site Director
Educator
The DAY ONE TAP Experience: Why I Joined TAP (And Why you Should Too)
Educator
The DAY ONE TAP Experience: A Look Inside our Teacher Apprenticeship Program!
Educator
The DAY ONE TAP Experience: What I learned at the Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP!)
Get involved
Join the fight to make quality early learning—joyful, play-based, led by trained educators—available to every child.