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First Mandarin Language Immersion Preschool Opens in LIC

Playhouse LIC

Staff Report Jan. 15, 2020

A new Bilingual Montessori Preschool serving children from age 2-5 has opened in Long Island City.

Playhouse NYC located at 29-22 Northern Blvd. offers half-day and full-day Montessori with Language Immersion – Mandarin and Spanish programs for preschool children. The school also offers STEAM enrichment programs for children from Pre-k through 5th grade.

Playhouse NYC was founded late last year by a group of early-childhood educators, researchers and teacher training specialists. It is the only preschool in Long Island City offering Mandarin immersion classes.

​Queens Resident and Site Director Sandy Li has over 10 years of experience in Early Childhood General Education and Special Education. Li uses Montessori style education where children are taught lifelong skills that help them learn to respect their environment as well as the people around them.

Playhouse NYC provides a personalized, caring and safe environment with a low student-to-teacher ratio. For example, for the two years old, there are two teachers for every 10 students, which ensures qualitative interactions. The New York City student ratio requirement is two teachers for 12 students.

The Montessori with Language Immersion programs are taught by instructors whose native-tongue is Mandarin/Spanish. Playhouse NYC teachers are NYS certified in Early Childhood and Special Education, AMI certified and are graduates from reputable Early Childhood Education programs such as Teachers College, Columbia University.

Playhouse LIC

Enrollment is on-going for half-day and full-day programs. Half-day classes are offered in two, 3-hour time slots with morning classes from 8:30 a.m. to noon and afternoon classes from 2 p.m-5:30 p.m.

Full day programs are offered with early drop off beginning at 8 a.m. and late pick-up through 6:00pm.

The curriculum values the importance of early language immersion while enhancing cognition ability and promoting developmental growth in dual languages. Playhouse NYC has a goal to inspire young children to explore the different cultural practices, and to promote a culturally diverse and culturally responsive learning environment that welcome all individuals. Playhouse is a home away from home for young children.

Students are provided with all the tools they need for success. Children’s individuality is honored in child center activities, where teachers incorporate the child’s unique learning style and provide appropriate support to enhance the child’s learning and practical life skills.

Tuition includes all the Montessori educational materials and meals for the full day programs.

The center has a wide variety of programs for older children as well, including STEAM enrichment courses, after-school programs, and Saturday classes. Summer Camp programs will also be offered. All programs incorporate a variety of educational theories.

The STEAM enrichment after-school programs are grouped into age and development appropriate settings.

MPM Singapore Math (For children age 4-12)

Lego Robotics (For children age 4-12)

Spanish Language (For children age 2-5)

Creative Cooking Class (For children age 2-5)

“Learning is a lifetime process and we want kids to start their education process in a fun, engaging, meaningful and comfortable way” Says Li.

“Children are very overstimulated by electronic devices these days, but we want them to come back to a more natural environment, which helps them develop better relationships with their parents and other kids.That’s also the reason why we think our programs provide children the ideal setting to learn the lifetime skills that are essentials for future success.”

Parents are encouraged to request for a private tour by clicking here or calling (718)392-2783.

The preschool is offering a grand opening special for children enrolled by Jan. 31, 2020.

Playhouse NYC is having a special celebration for the Lunar New Year on Sunday Jan. 26th from 10 a.m. to noon. Attendees are asked to RSVP here.

UPDATE Jan. 16, 2020: The Lunar New Year event is now SOLD OUT. Please call (718)392-2783 to request to be on the waiting list or to schedule a private tour.

Playhouse New Year Celebration, Sunday January 26, 2020

 

email the author: news@queenspost.com

4 Comments

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A teacher.

Actually you should fully learn your first language before you start on another.

And learning a language isn’t just speaking. It’s also reading and writing. So children shouldn’t start a second language until at least 2nd grade.

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OAR

A Teacher,
Wrong, the best time to start learning is when you are younger than 2nd grade, either from birth or pre-school. How do explain all the children that grow up in Bilingual households and speak both languages? The older you are the harder it is to learn another language. American’s are the only ones who don’t learn another language in school, expecting everyone to speak English. My cousins in Germany speak German and English. My nephews went to a public school in San Francisco where they were taught in Spanish most of the day, and as a result they speak, read and write Spanish fluently. While living in Belgium they also learned French. Most Europeans speak 2 or more languages. We are so far behind in this country. Until my grandfather died I spoke German, with no one to speak to here, I have lost my a ability to speak, but still understand it a bit when I hear it.

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Leon

Amazing! The article just came up today and I tried to RSVP for Chinese NY event and there is already a waiting list? Is there some sort of issue with their site LICPOST editor?

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