COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

FIVE TOWNS EARLY LEARNING CENTER INC
INWOOD, NY · EIN 237422604 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Small ($100K-$1M) · fivetownselc.org
revenue
$985K
expenses
$1.1M
net assets
$840K
employees
30
program ratio
79%
mission · from form 990

OPERATES AS AN EDUCATIONAL AND DAY CARE FACILITY FOR CHILDREN AGED EIGHTEEN MONTHS TO TWELVE YEARS OLD.

profile · synthesized from sources

Early childhood education and day care center serving children aged eighteen months to five years in Inwood, NY. Provides a nurturing, play-based learning environment grounded in the High Scope curriculum. Offers breakfast, lunch, and snacks, with a focus on social-emotional development, school readiness, and outdoor exploration through its certified Nature Explore Classroom.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

High Scope Curriculum
Evidence-based early learning approach emphasizing active, hands-on learning and child-initiated activities across developmental domains.
Nature Explore Classroom
Certified outdoor learning environment where children engage with nature through play, gardening, music, and art under the guidance of trained teachers.
Senior Center Intergenerational Program
Monthly visits from the Five Towns Senior Center where older adults interact, play, and build relationships with 4-year-old children.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Play-Based Early Childhood Education 3 activities
    • Delivering early childhood education using research-based curriculum models
      Implements structured early childhood programs grounded in research-based understanding of child development, including the High Scope planning model for activity selection and daily routines that integrate learning centers to support cognitive, social-emotional, and school readiness skills.
    • Offering enrichment and self-directed learning activities for toddlers
      Provides daily enrichment including art, music, water play, and cooking, along with self-directed classroom activities such as puzzles, books, and table toys upon arrival. Facilitates diaper changes, book reading, and dancing before lunchtime.
    • Supporting language, literacy, and mathematical development through integrated activities
      Promotes language and literacy through daily reading and storytelling in small and large groups, as well as individual settings. Supports early math and literacy skills using games and materials across learning centers integrated into daily routines and curriculum plans.
  • Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
    • Distributing educational supplies and emergency cash assistance to families
      Provided book bags and school supplies to 10 children and distributed cash grants to 15 families for housing, heat, clothes, and food. Partners with Five Towns Community Chest to help families afford quality early childhood education.
  • Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
    • Facilitating outdoor and nature-based learning experiences
      Operates a certified Nature Explore Classroom since 2009, providing two hours of structured outdoor learning daily with functional zones defined by natural borders, varied ground textures, plant varieties, and natural materials. Includes large-motor activities, climbing areas, garden beds, and nature-based art, music, and storytelling.
  • Intergenerational Connection Programs 1 activity
    • Hosting intergenerational engagement programs
      Organizes monthly intergenerational visits between seniors from the Five Towns Senior Center and children in the 4-year-old classroom to promote community connection and social development.
  • Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
    • Operating a licensed early childhood care and education program
      Provides full-day day care and early childhood education for children aged 18 months to five years, operating year-round with closures on ten Federal holidays and one staff development day. Serves 54 children through a center-based classroom model supporting physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development.
  • Early Childhood Education Financial Assistance 1 activity
    • Providing financial assistance for low-income families to access child care
      Offers tuition assistance through child care subsidies administered via Nassau County Department of Social Services and maintains a scholarship fund for families above subsidy eligibility, enabling access to early learning services through sliding scale fees.
  • CACFP Meal Service and Administration 1 activity
    • Providing meals and rest periods as part of daily child care routine
      Serves breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack daily in a family-style format and provides structured rest periods, with naps from 12:00 PM to 2:45 PM for toddlers and 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM for younger children.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$985K
Contributions & grants$119K12%
Program service revenue$849K86%
Investment income$12K1%
Other revenue$5K
expenses
Total expenses$1.08M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead21%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$824K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$908K
Cash$406K
Investments$0
Liabilities$68K
Net assets$840K
Liquid reserves4.5 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -4.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
PAULA ROBINSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $78K
board members · 11
  • CHRISTOPHER ALBANESE — TREASURER
  • ELIZABETH ROPERS — PRESIDENT
  • FRANK MISTERO — DIRECTOR
  • HAROLD KISLIK — DIRECTOR
  • HARRIET RUBENSTEIN — SECRETARY
  • HELEN POLLACK — VICE PRESIDENT
  • JUDY ELLER — DIRECTOR
  • NANCY LEIDERMAN — DIRECTOR
  • RENEE FISCHER — DIRECTOR
  • SAMANTHA WEITZBERG-TUCHFELD — DIRECTOR
  • SHOSHANAH FINDLING PHD — DIRECTOR
relationships · 13

Who they work with

  • Arbor Day Foundation Network — Certified the Nature Explore Classroom through a national certification program.
  • Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc Partner — Supports the Center’s child care initiatives as a community partner.
  • Dimensions Educational Research Foundation Network — Partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to certify the Nature Explore Classroom.
  • Five Towns Community Chest Partner — Partner organization that provides financial support and resources to families affiliated with the Early Learning Center.
  • Five Towns Senior Center Partner — Partners with the Center to facilitate monthly intergenerational classroom visits.
  • Girl Scouts Partner — Collaborates with the Center on scarecrow construction for the Rock Hall Country Fair fundraiser.
  • Lawrence High School Partner — Engages students from the Bond Program in activities at the Early Learning Center.
  • Long Island Nature Collaborative for Kids Network — Part of a regional collaborative promoting outdoor nature experiences for children, designated as a national demonstration site by Dimensions and Arbor Day Foundation.
  • NCJW, Peninsula Section Partner — Co-sponsor of the center since 1974, sharing financial responsibility and volunteer participation.
  • Nassau County Department of Social Services Partner — Contract partner that helps families access child care subsidies for enrollment at the center.
  • Nature Explore Classroom Partner — Collaborates with Nature Explore Classroom to provide outdoor learning environments and experiences.
  • Peninsula Kiwanis Partner — Hosts holiday celebrations for children at the Center, including readings and gift distribution.
  • Rock and Wrap It Partner — Partners with the Center on food recovery or community support efforts.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Child-Centered Experiential Learning
    methodology: child_centered_experiential_learning
    By using play-based, hands-on, and child-led methods, we foster positive attitudes toward education and deeper learning because children engage more meaningfully when learning is rooted in their interests, choices, and sensory experiences. Teachers act as facilitators and the environment serves as a 'third teacher' to support autonomy and social development.
  • Developmentally Grounded Curriculum
    methodology: developmental_stage_theory
    By structuring education around predictable stages of child development and age-specific transitions, we support social, emotional, and cognitive growth because curriculum aligned with developmental milestones meets children where they are and promotes mastery.
  • Integrated Education and Care Model
    methodology: integrated_education_and_care
    By combining early childhood education with full-day care, we support working families and ensure consistent access to learning because integrating care and education removes logistical barriers and creates a stable, nurturing environment for development.
  • Intergenerational and Community-Embedded Programming
    methodology: intergenerational_community_programming
    By connecting preschool children with seniors and partnering with local organizations, we strengthen social development and community ties because intergenerational interaction and local collaboration enrich children’s learning and broaden access for underserved families.