Mother-daughter duo Dulcilene Dalcin (left) and Ana Borges are combining their teaching experience and interactive learning approach to open Blue Apple Early Childhood Learning Center.

Blue Apple Early Childhood Learning Center is projected to open in Astoria in September. The school will offer three classes for 2s, 3s, and Pre-K in full- and half-day programs. Registration will begin later this summer, and the school will be hosting open houses in late June.

Developed by mother-daughter educational team Dulcilene Dalcin and Ana Borges, the center aims to provide a higher level of interactive and challenging early childhood education in Astoria. Blue Apple Childhood Learning Center’s curriculum is based on DAP— developmentally appropriate practices. It encourages organic inquiry and discovery by leaving room to cater to individual interests.

“We believe in developing a dialogue with children at an early age, looking in the child’s eyes to talk to them, to get on their level,” says Dalcin, mentor and consultant for Blue Apple.

The curriculum is also aligned with the New York State Common Core benchmarks to ensure that students are well prepared to continue their education in public or private schools.

More than just a preschool, Blue Apple aims to create a learning community, focusing on building relationships with parents and providing resources and activities to involve them in their child’s development. “It’s a place to develop a community with other parents,” encourages Dulcilene.   

In addition to classes, Blue Apple will offer monthly workshops for parents on topics such as healthy choices and behavior management, as well as “Mommy and Me” enrichment experiences. These include activities like “Science for Little Hands,” in which children and parents will explore how to become a scientist.