Our mission? To provide affordable, high-quality early childhood education to Lower East Side and Chinatown families. 

Programs at the Early Childhood Center at 184 Eldridge Street include Early Head Start for 2 year-olds, family childcare for 3 year-olds, and Universal Pre-kindergarten for 4 year-olds. 

Fees are determined by Early Head Start and EarlyLearn eligibility. We are proud that our staff reflects our diverse community, and we communicate with families in English, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin, to name just a few of the languages we speak. This program is open 12 months and offers extended day program hours. 

We’re located in University Settlement’s historic headquarters, the oldest settlement house in the United States, which we lovingly refer to as “184.”  Settlement houses strive to break down class distinctions – everyone is welcome in our house, where people connect and share ideas about how to build a better world.