Where Every Child
Feels at Home
A warm, nurturing home daycare in Stuyvesant Heights, dedicated to school readiness and building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Meet Lakisha Hawthorne
Owner & Lead Childcare Provider
Stuyvesant Heights Scholars Daycare was created from a genuine love for children and a desire to support families during their most important early years. We saw a need for safe, nurturing, and reliable childcare, and set out to create a space where children feel loved, supported, and encouraged to grow.
With a deep understanding of child development, Lakisha is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and structured environment where children can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Her approach emphasizes consistency, individualized attention, and school readiness.
Our Philosophy
Our educational philosophy is rooted in early childhood development and school readiness. We provide a structured learning environment that supports cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth.
Our Certifications
Care That Grows With Your Child
From infants to school-age children, we offer flexible programs designed to meet the needs of every family.
Full-Time Care
5 days a week comprehensive care with structured learning, meals, and enrichment activities included.
Part-Time Care
Flexible scheduling options for families who need care a few days per week.
Drop-In Care
Backup care when you need it most. Subject to availability.
Before & After School
Safe, supervised care before and after school hours with homework support.
Summer Camp
Fun-filled summer and school holiday programs with themed activities and outdoor play.
Enrichment Activities
A Day Full of Discovery
Every day is thoughtfully structured to balance learning, play, meals, and rest — giving your child the best of everything.
Arrival & Free Play
Children are welcomed, settle in, and engage in self-directed play.
Breakfast / Snack
Healthy morning snack, followed by handwashing and cleanup.
Circle Time
Morning greetings, calendar, weather, songs, and group discussion.
Learning Centers
Hands-on activities focused on literacy, numeracy, science, and fine motor skills.
Outdoor Play
Physical activity in a safe outdoor area to support coordination and fitness.
Storytime & Music
Books, rhymes, and interactive movement activities.
Lunch
Nutritious lunch with social interaction and self-help skills.
Nap / Rest Time
Quiet time to recharge. Non-sleepers enjoy calm activities.
Afternoon Snack
Light snack, hydration, and handwashing.
Enrichment Activities
Art, science experiments, dramatic play, or sensory activities.
Outdoor Play
Gross motor games, playground time, or structured physical activities.
Closing Circle
Reflection, songs, and free play while parents arrive.
Extended Care
Optional play, reading, and calm activities for children staying later.
Affordable, Quality Care
We offer competitive rates with flexible scheduling options. All meals and snacks are included in tuition.
What's Included
Good to Know
Rates vary by age group and schedule. Contact us for a personalized quote and to learn about current availability.
Your Child's Safety Is Our Priority
We maintain the highest standards of health, safety, and cleanliness so you can have complete peace of mind.
Clean & Sanitary
Toys, surfaces, and classrooms are cleaned daily. Children wash hands regularly throughout the day.
Illness & Medication
Sick children stay home to protect all children. Medications given only with written parental permission.
Allergy Safety
We accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions, with trained staff ready to respond to reactions.
Emergency Preparedness
Regular fire drills, evacuations, CPR, and first aid training ensure staff are ready for any emergency.
Safe Sleep for Infants
Infants sleep on their backs in safe cribs or bassinets, free of blankets or toys.
Constant Supervision
Children are closely supervised indoors and outdoors, maintaining proper adult-to-child ratios.
Our Discipline Approach
We use a positive guidance approach focused on reinforcement, clear expectations, redirection, and modeling. We never use corporal punishment and work in partnership with parents.
Communication with Parents
- Daily updates & photos via secure messaging
- Open door policy for parents
- Weekly activity highlights
- Parent conferences & meetings
What Families Are Saying
Don't just take our word for it — hear from the families who trust us with their most precious ones.
"Lakisha was absolutely wonderful and polite, down to earth and very courteous with myself and my daughter. My daughter also enjoyed Lakisha — it was heartwarming to see how quickly my daughter warmed up to her. It gave me great confidence and reassurance that she would be well cared for in this nurturing environment."
"I was lucky enough to come across this daycare after spending months searching for a safe, professional, and dependable childcare for my daughter. Lakisha is amazing and took great care of her — the environment is clean and her curriculum promotes development and learning. I was so happy receiving check-ins and seeing my daughter participating in so many activities, some of which were her first, like finger painting. I would highly recommend anyone looking for a safe and intimate environment for their child. Your child will be in great hands."
"Our two-year-old goes to Ms. H for after-school care, and he genuinely looks forward to it every single day. What stands out most is her incredible flexibility — she is always willing to accommodate us on short notice when we need her, which has been a lifesaver for our family. Our son is an extremely picky eater who gives us a hard time at every meal, but somehow Ms. H gets him to finish everything on his plate. That alone tells you how special she is."
"Finding the right daycare for our 18-month-old daughter was one of the most important decisions we had to make as parents, and we are so grateful we found Stuyvesant Heights Scholars. From the very first day, Lakisha made our daughter feel safe and loved. She has blossomed so much under her care — her vocabulary is growing, she is learning to share and play with others, and she comes home happy every day. We could not have asked for a better environment for our little one."
"I want to say thank you because my son absolutely loves Ms. H, and that means the world to me. My son normally does not warm up to people easily, but she has completely changed that. He gets so excited to go to school every morning and gets sad when it is time to leave. Knowing that he is in the care of someone who genuinely makes him feel happy and safe gives me so much peace of mind as a parent."
Ready to Learn More?
We'd love to hear from you! Fill out the form below or reach out directly. We're happy to answer any questions and schedule a visit.