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Five Towns Early Learning Center jump-starts fun and instruction
Beyond the doors of a house at 112 Wahl Ave. in Inwood there is an oasis of play and learning for young children that features a passionate manager, a backyard with a gazebo, trellis and a magnolia tree, and 54 youthful minds ready to soak up education.
The Five Towns Early Learning Center which began its existence 70 years ago as the Five Towns Child Care Center when women went to work during World War II, continues to help parents that work, attend school or are in need of assistance caring for their children.
Though its gives preference to residents of the Five Towns communities of Cedarhurst, Hewlett, Inwood, Lawrence and Woodmere, it takes in children from other communities and works with Nassau County’s Department of Social Services for families that need assistance in paying.
“We scholarship students and provide $90,000 in scholarships,” said Executive Director Pepper Robinson, who noted the center’s benefactors that include Five Towns Community Chest, National Council of Jewish Women, Peninsula Section and Five Towns and Peninsula Kiwanis.
“NCJW recognizes the important work that the Early Learning Center accomplishes in enriching the lives of their young students,” said Peninsula Section President Pnina Knopf. “The Early Learning Center helps these children grow emotionally, socially and intellectually. We are so proud to partner with them.”
Robinson, who has a background in toddler teaching and taught courses in Early Childhood education for SUNY Empire State, has managed the learning center for the past seven years following the 30-year tenure of Bernice Levin.
From 18 months up to kindergarten age, children at the center are taught through the High Scope curriculum that puts a premium on play and then review. “Children learn best through play,” Robinson said. “We are worried about the stress on academics (at a young age) and the loss of childhood.”
Each age group has its own room, where the children make their choices of what they are going to do, perform that function from playing with building size pieces of a wood set, baking and reading. Then they review that choice and see what they learned from it.
