Frequently Asked Questions About Essence Heart Academy
GENERAL PROGRAM QUESTIONS
What is a Group Family Daycare in New York State?
A Group Family Daycare in New York State is a licensed childcare program that serves up to 12 children in a home-like setting. Unlike traditional daycare centers with 20-50+ children, our Group Family Daycare provides the intimacy and individual attention of family daycare combined with the social benefits and resources of a larger program. This New York State licensing category is perfect for families seeking personalized care in Oyster Bay and Nassau County.
What ages do you serve at your Oyster Bay daycare?
Essence Heart Academy serves children ages 2-5 years old in our Group Family Daycare setting. We accommodate mixed-age learning, where younger children learn from older peers while older children develop leadership skills. This age range allows us to support children through critical developmental milestones from toddlerhood through pre-kindergarten in the Oyster Bay area.
How many children do you care for in your Group Family Daycare?
We serve a maximum of 12 children total, maintaining exceptional adult-to-child ratios that ensure each child receives individual attention. This small group size is intentional - it allows us to truly know each child, honor their unique development, and provide personalized care that's impossible in larger daycare centers throughout Nassau County.
What is your Foundation-First approach to early childhood education?
Our Foundation-First approach honors each child as a complete being before focusing on academic skills. We prioritize emotional intelligence, environmental health, individual recognition, and natural development over premature academic pressure. This consciousness-based methodology, developed from years of experience including our Montreal program (Au Petit Yogi), creates secure foundations from which all learning naturally emerges. It's what makes our Oyster Bay program unique among Long Island childcare options.
ENROLLMENT & ADMISSION QUESTIONS
When does Essence Heart Academy open in Oyster Bay?
Essence Heart Academy is scheduled to open Fall 2025 in the Oyster Bay area. We are currently in the process of securing our Group Family Daycare space that meets all New York State licensing requirements and our environmental optimization standards. Reserved families receive regular updates on our space acquisition progress and will be the first to tour our facility once ready.
How do I reserve a spot for my child at your Oyster Bay daycare?
To reserve your child's spot at Essence Heart Academy, contact us directly at [phone number] or email sonia@essenceheartacademy.com. Our reservation process includes: (1) Initial consultation to discuss your child's needs, (2) Program information sharing, (3) Founding family reservation with deposit, and (4) Regular updates until opening. With only 12 spots total, early reservation is recommended for Oyster Bay families.
Do you accept CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program) in Nassau County?
Yes, Essence Heart Academy reserves select spots for families receiving CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program) support. We believe exceptional early childhood education should be accessible to diverse families in our Oyster Bay community. CCAP families receive the same high-quality Foundation-First approach, organic nutrition, and individual attention as all enrolled children.
What are the enrollment requirements for your Group Family Daycare?
Enrollment requirements include: (1) Child aged 2-5 years by Fall 2025, (2) Family commitment to our collaborative, Foundation-First approach, (3) Completion of consultation process, and (4) Founding family reservation deposit. We seek families who value small group settings, environmental health, and conscious child development in the Oyster Bay area.
PROGRAM & CURRICULUM QUESTIONS
Do you follow Montessori or Waldorf methods in your Oyster Bay program?
Our Foundation-First approach draws wisdom from multiple educational philosophies, including elements inspired by Montessori and Waldorf methods, but we are not formally affiliated with any trademarked methodology. We integrate best practices from various approaches with modern child development research and consciousness-based principles to create our unique program serving Oyster Bay families.
What does a typical day look like at Essence Heart Academy?
Our daily rhythm in our Group Family Daycare includes: morning welcome and organic breakfast (7:00-8:30 AM), community circle and movement (8:30-10:00 AM), hands-on learning activities (10:00-11:30 AM), outdoor exploration (11:30 AM-12:30 PM), family-style organic lunch (12:30-1:30 PM), rest time (1:30-3:00 PM), creative expression (3:00-4:00 PM), and integration/family reunion (4:00-6:00 PM). This rhythm supports natural child development while building essential life skills.
Do you use screens or technology in your early childhood program?
Essence Heart Academy maintains a completely screen-free environment during program hours. Children engage with real materials, nature, and authentic human connection - proven to support optimal brain development in the critical ages 2-5 years. This aligns with our environmental health commitment and Foundation-First approach serving Oyster Bay families.
What is your approach to discipline and behavior guidance?
We use positive behavior guidance focused on emotional intelligence, natural consequences, and individual support. Our Foundation-First approach recognizes that challenging behaviors often signal unmet needs. We help children develop self-regulation skills through co-regulation, clear boundaries, and respectful communication appropriate for each child's developmental stage in our small Group Family Daycare setting.
HEALTH, SAFETY & NUTRITION QUESTIONS
What kind of meals do you provide at your Oyster Bay daycare?
Essence Heart Academy provides 100% organic meals and snacks prepared fresh weekly. Our nutrition program focuses on brain development with omega-3 rich foods, antioxidant vegetables, and whole grains. We accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies while maintaining our commitment to chemical-free, nutrient-dense foods for optimal child development.
How do you ensure environmental health in your childcare program?
Our environmental optimization includes EMF-free spaces (no WiFi during program hours), toxin-free cleaning products, natural materials only, air purification through plants, and multi-stage water filtration. Every element is chosen to support developing minds and bodies, making us unique among Nassau County childcare options prioritizing environmental health.
What are your health and safety protocols?
Our health and safety protocols exceed New York State requirements and include: daily health assessments, organic nutrition program, comprehensive emergency procedures, staff CPR/First Aid certification, regular safety inspections, and environmental health optimization. Our small group size (12 children maximum) allows for enhanced supervision and individual health monitoring.
Do you provide care for children with special needs in Nassau County?
Yes, Essence Heart Academy welcomes children with diverse needs in our inclusive Group Family Daycare environment. Our small group setting and individual attention naturally support children requiring additional assistance. We work closely with families and specialists to create appropriate support plans while maintaining our Foundation-First approach for all children.
STAFF & QUALIFICATIONS QUESTIONS
What are the qualifications of your daycare staff in Oyster Bay?
All Essence Heart Academy staff meet or exceed New York State Group Family Daycare requirements, including: background clearances, health screenings, CPR/First Aid certification, and ongoing training. Our founder, Sonia, brings proven experience from successfully operating Au Petit Yogi in Montreal, plus business expertise as an entrepreneur and financial analyst serving the Oyster Bay community.
What is your staff-to-child ratio?
Our Group Family Daycare maintains exceptional ratios with maximum 12 children total and multiple qualified adults. This ensures each child receives individual attention impossible in larger daycare centers throughout Nassau County. Our small group size allows for personalized care, individual recognition, and the nurturing relationships essential for healthy child development.
LOGISTICS & PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
What are your hours of operation for your Oyster Bay daycare?
Essence Heart Academy operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, providing full-day care for working families in Oyster Bay and surrounding Nassau County areas. Our extended hours accommodate commuting parents while maintaining our commitment to natural rhythms and individual child needs within our Group Family Daycare setting.
Where is your Group Family Daycare located in Oyster Bay?
We are currently finalizing our Group Family Daycare location in the Oyster Bay area that meets all New York State licensing requirements and our environmental optimization standards. Reserved families will be notified immediately when our space is confirmed and will receive priority access for tours. Our location will serve families throughout Nassau County including Syosset, Jericho, and Hicksville.
What areas do you serve beyond Oyster Bay?
While located in Oyster Bay, Essence Heart Academy serves families throughout Nassau County including Syosset, Jericho, Hicksville, Plainview, East Norwich, Glen Cove, and surrounding Long Island communities. Our premium Group Family Daycare program attracts families seeking high-quality, small-group childcare throughout the region.
COST & INVESTMENT QUESTIONS
What does your Group Family Daycare program cost?
Investment information for Essence Heart Academy is shared during personal consultations to ensure families understand our complete value proposition. Our all-inclusive program covers organic meals, materials, individual attention, and environmental optimization. Founding families receive rate protection and exclusive benefits. Contact us at essenceheartacademy@proton.me for detailed investment information.
Do you offer part-time care options?
We focus primarily on full-time care to maintain consistency for children's development and community building in our small Group Family Daycare setting. Part-time options may be available depending on enrollment needs and family circumstances. Contact us to discuss your specific scheduling needs for the Oyster Bay area.
What payment methods do you accept?
Essence Heart Academy accepts various payment methods including credit cards, bank transfers, and flexible payment arrangements for qualified families. We work with families to make our premium Group Family Daycare accessible while maintaining our high standards of care in the Oyster Bay community.
COMPARISON & CHOICE QUESTIONS
How is Essence Heart Academy different from other Oyster Bay daycares?
Essence Heart Academy is Oyster Bay's first consciousness-based Group Family Daycare combining small group size (12 children maximum), 100% organic nutrition, EMF-free environment, Foundation-First approach, and proven leadership experience. Unlike traditional daycare centers, we prioritize being before doing, environmental optimization, and individual recognition in a home-like setting.
Why should I choose a Group Family Daycare over a daycare center?
Group Family Daycares offer intimate, home-like environments with smaller groups (our maximum 12 vs. centers with 20-50+ children), better ratios, mixed-age learning, and personalized attention. Children receive more individual recognition, stronger relationships with caregivers, and flexibility impossible in larger institutional settings throughout Nassau County.
What makes your program worth the investment compared to other Nassau County options?
Our comprehensive approach includes premium elements rare in traditional childcare: 100% organic nutrition, environmental health optimization, consciousness-based development, proven methodology from Montreal success, maximum 12 children, and founder with business expertise. We provide complete child development rather than just childcare for discerning Oyster Bay families.
CONTACT & NEXT STEPS
How can I schedule a consultation about your Oyster Bay program?
Schedule your consultation by emailing Sonia essenceheartacademy@proton.me Sonia personally handles all consultations and typically responds within hours. Consultations cover your child's needs, our Foundation-First approach, and how to secure your spot in our Group Family Daycare.
How quickly do I need to decide about enrollment?
With only 12 spots total in our Group Family Daycare, families are encouraged to reserve promptly. Founding family benefits are limited-time offers with enhanced value. While we don't pressure families, the small capacity means spots fill quickly among discerning Oyster Bay families seeking premium early childhood education.