TLC Learning Center

TLC Learning Center at Helen Hayes Hospital
Helen Hayes Hospital recently opened a brand new, a state-of-the-art building housing the hospital’s childcare center – the TLC Learning Center. The new building replaces the hospital’s former childcare center, which opened in 1987 in a renovated building on the campus. At 9,000 square feet, the new facility offers greatly expanded space and capacity. TLC Learning Center serves children of hospital employees and is open to families in the local community. The Center is a unique and beautiful building. The spiral roof points to the sky and the expansive windows look out to the Hudson River’s vast horizon, signaling the joy of learning and exploration. Spacious outdoor play areas, including bike trails and kid-size gardens, are just a few of the amenities. Designed with a child’s comfort in mind, the building has radiant floor heating, child-friendly bathrooms and large windows at a child’s eye level. In addition, the building features numerous Green/LEED building concepts, such as the use of rapidly renewable resources and recycled materials, energy-saving occupancy sensor lighting and high efficiency heating and cooling systems. TLC Learning Center is a not-for-profit corporation licensed by the New York State Office of Family and Childrens Services.
Our Philosophy
		TLC’s philosophy is that of a developmental approach. We support physical, social- emotional and intellectual growth through age appropriate activities. Children learn and grow in many ways. Our goal is to make this an exciting time of learning and discovery, which is unique and meaningful for each individual child. The curriculum and teaching approach is based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) publication on developmentally appropriate practice. TLC is committed to providing high quality early childhood programming.
The Center
		Our state-of-the-art childcare center provides an environment that is safe, nurturing and developmentally stimulating in a serene and natural setting overlooking the Hudson River. TLC has six separate classrooms serving the needs of infants, toddlers, three’s and preschoolers. The center is licensed to serve 78 children. Low teacher/child ratios assure individual attention and care. Hot lunch and two snacks are provided to each child daily. Different age appropriate and developmentally appropriate materials are available in each room to encourage exploration and learning. Additionally, we have a multi-purpose room used for different activities, group events and our early childhood educational computer and technology lab. We also have a large central area that has a stage for special story telling, dramatic play and gross motor activities.
The Classrooms
Infants 6 weeks to 18 months – Ratio 1:4
		We are committed to providing individualized care at low teacher/child ratios, which optimizes our ability to accommodate each child’s individual routine and daily schedule. While each caregiver gets to know each baby, each child is assigned to a primary caregiver who is responsible for knowing that child on a very intimate level. The Infant room is a shoeless environment and radiant heat rises from the floor. Our active infant areas include soft spaces to crawl, climb and explore. The sleeping area of the classroom is separated by a half-wall, allowing for undisturbed sleep yet providing constant sight and sound supervision to sleeping babies. The lights in the sleeping area may be dimmed for a peaceful, sleep friendly environment.
Toddlers 18 months to 3 years – Ratio 1:5
		Our toddler program also uses primary caregivers. This is to once again emphasize individual attention to daily care and to ease the transition from the infant class to toddlers. Daily routines become more structured in an environment that is developed to stimulate mobility and curiosity. Child directed and teacher directed activities are provided throughout the day.
Three’s Ratio 1:7
		The three- year old class begins to focus on socialization. Children learn to communicate with both teachers and peers. They begin to follow simple directions, understand limits and take turns. They develop a curiosity of the world around them, which opens the door for more learning in the classroom. Self- help skills are encouraged to promote strong self-esteem.
Pre-School Ratio 1:8
		As the children move on to the pre-school class, they will continue to practice socialization and self help skills. They begin to recognize letters and numbers. Early writing and reading skills are beginning and encouraged. Classroom activities are teacher directed as well as child directed. Teacher directed activities allow for cognitive learning and child directed activities allow for learning through play.
Outdoor Play
		Fresh air is important for healthy children and our children are required to go outside daily, weather permitting. On our campus there are three separate playgrounds - infant, toddler and preschooler. Each group has access to their own playground just outside their classroom doors, with each providing the age appropriate climbing equipment and fall protection. We have another large area that has a bike trail, a children’s garden in which they grow flowers, vegetables and herbs and a covered area for outdoor play in inclement weather. Large fenced-in areas ensure the safety of your children, who can also enjoy walks on our nature trail.

Patient Stories
Virtual Tour
History And Mission
Department Of Health
Archived Press Releases
Current Press Releases
Overview & Outcomes

Hours of Operation
TLC is open Monday through Friday from 7:15 AM to 5:15 PM.

TLC Fee Schedule

Contact TLC
For additional information on the center and/or enrollment, please call 845-786-4595,
FAX: 845-786-4592,
or e-mail: taylora@helenhayeshosp.org

If you are interested in applying for childcare or being put on a wait list, please fax, e-mail or send your downloadable Application/Wait List Form (PDF).