NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The YMCA of Greater New York today announced the expansion of its Early Children Center at the Greenpoint YMCA in Brooklyn to help meet the significant demand for early childhood programs in the neighborhood. The expansion doubles student capacity from 65 kids to approximately 130, with the addition of 15 teachers. To accommodate this expansion, the Y's early childhood program is now located in the second floor of the Polish & Slavic Center, six blocks away from the Greenpoint Y.

The expanded Greenpoint Early Childhood Center has five full-day classrooms, growing the current program from two full-day classrooms and one half-day classroom and giving parents more choice in having children attend full-time.

"It has long been the dream of both myself and the Y to serve the Greenpoint community in the greatest capacity possible," said Angela Speakman, Senior Director, Youth & Family at the Greenpoint YMCA. "Our unique program, which blends academic, physical, and emotional development in equal parts is a rarity in early childhood education. The ability to now expand our impact to even more families is very exciting for all of us in the program."

Leading teachers who specialize in early childhood education and a progressive curriculum based on the latest research in education and psychology are the foundation of the Greenpoint Early Childhood Center. All learning is tailored to individual needs and conducted through play and hands-on activities, taking advantage of the ways in which children's brains are hard-wired to learn. The teachers are caring and dedicated to what they do, always working to create a nurturing, fun and positive learning environment for the children. 

The program also remains very connected to the YMCA. The early childhood participants can continue to participate in the Y's enrichment classes, as well as to take swim classes at the Y, and be invited to all special events, dive-in movies, and other services the Y has to offer.

"For many families, the Y's early childhood programs are their first experience with the breadth and depth of what the Y offers for community members of all ages," said Kendall Charter, Executive Director of the Greenpoint YMCA. "I am thrilled that our expanded Greenpoint Early Childhood Center will let us reach more of our Greenpoint neighbors and demonstrate to them the many ways the Y is a vital hub for this growing neighborhood."

Parents and guardians can apply to enroll children in the program by visiting the Greenpoint Y located at 99 Meserole Avenue, off Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222.

About the Greenpoint YMCA
For more than 109 years, the Greenpoint YMCA has been dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, and families in the neighborhoods of Greenpoint and Williamsburg. With a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Greenpoint YMCA helps more than 4,000 youth and 10,000 adults to develop to their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body, in an environment steeped in our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Supported in part through contributions to the Annual Campaign, the Greenpoint YMCA provides membership assistance and scholarships to programs like summer camp, child care and teen activities, so that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.