Rated 4.8 from 21 Google reviews
Now enrolling, ages 12 weeks to 5 years
First Bloom is a licensed group family daycare on East 181st Street, minutes from Belmont, Fordham and the Bronx Zoo. We offer infant, toddler, preschool and Pre-K care in a small setting, where the same teachers greet your child every morning. We accept ACS and HRA vouchers, meals are included, and our team speaks English and Spanish.
From Bronx parents
“This daycare treats your child as their own. Very clean environment, very helpful, and most importantly has been great to my daughter. Thanks to them my daughter has leveled up in many ways, even her speech.”
“Although it is an at-home day care, they are structured like a real school. My son learned Spanish and lots of skills while at First Bloom.”
“Beautiful daycare, my daughter loves it there. Very hands on, informative, creative, punctual, respectful, and great communication with the kids and parents. I get my day updates and pictures of how my daughter spent her day.”
East 181st Street
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
We serve families across West Farms, East Tremont, Belmont, Crotona, Tremont, Fordham, Morrisania, Parkchester, Morris Park and the Bronx Zoo area.
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What makes us different
Many Bronx parents weigh a home based daycare against a large centre. First Bloom is a group family daycare, which means a small, familiar setting where the same faces greet your child every morning. It also means a real curriculum, a daily schedule, monthly activity calendars for families, and daily photo updates so you can see how the day actually went.
Paying for care
Many Bronx families qualify for a child care voucher and do not realise it. First Bloom accepts ACS and HRA vouchers, and Ms. Mariela will walk you through the application herself.
“Ms. Mariela is so sweet and caring. She goes above and beyond to help parents navigating the ACS voucher system. She is also very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience with infants.”
Our team
Group family daycare is a relationship, not a facility. These are the four people your child will see every day.
Founder and Director
Mariela founded First Bloom and leads the program day to day. Parents describe her as knowledgeable and hands on. She is experienced with infants, keeps families updated with daily photos and monthly activity calendars, and personally helps families navigate the ACS voucher process.
Assistant Teacher
With First Bloom for over 10 years. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she holds a doctoral degree in pediatric care and brings deep knowledge of child health and development to the program.
Assistant Teacher
Helps create a warm, engaging environment where children feel safe, confident and excited to learn through play and exploration.
Assistant Teacher
Supports daily activities and helps maintain a safe, welcoming environment where children can learn, play and grow.
Our team speaks English and Spanish.
Licensed group family daycare
First Bloom is a licensed group family daycare minutes from Belmont, Crotona, Tremont, Fordham and the Bronx Zoo. Families come to us for infant care they can trust, a toddler program with real structure, or a preschool and Pre-K that gets a child ready for kindergarten.
Because we are a group family daycare rather than a large centre, your child is known from the first week. The same teachers greet them every morning, and Ms. Mariela knows every family personally. Most children stay with us until they age out of the program.
Come on site to walk through the space, or take a virtual tour if that is easier this week. We accept ACS and HRA vouchers and help families through the application, so cost does not have to be the thing that decides it. Meals are included, we offer weekly and drop-in care, and our team speaks English and Spanish.
The children walk to the neighbourhood playground for fresh air and real running around, whenever the weather allows. Swings, climbing, and space to move, which is not something every daycare in the Bronx can offer.
Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, at 975 East 181st Street, Bronx, NY 10460.
Included in your fees
First Bloom takes part in CACFP, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, so meals are prepared on site and served as part of the program. No packing a lunch every morning, and no working out what to send. Breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack are all included.
Ages 12 weeks to 5 years
Four programs, each built around what a child that age actually needs. Not sure which one fits? Ask us on the tour.
12 weeks to 18 months
Individual attention and early developmental support in a safe, nurturing space, from the very first months.
18 months to 3 years
An active environment that builds independence, language and social skills through hands-on play.
3 to 4 years
School readiness through play-based learning, early academics and social-emotional growth.
4 to 5 years
Structured preparation for kindergarten, focused on early academic skills and confidence.
Take a look around
Every photo below was taken at First Bloom. This is the room, the playground and the food, exactly as they are.
From Bronx parents
“This day care was such a gift. There is a monthly calendar provided to parents with activities for the school day as well as activities to do at home. Mariela and her staff are amazing.”
“I felt the genuine care from the moment First Bloom Daycare started caring for my child. My daughter got to experience lots of educational activities and she got to expand her vocabulary.”
“Love this daycare, I don't feel any concerns leaving my child here. His 2nd week and he has already adjusted.”
“It was very difficult for me to find a day care in the Bronx that provided the extra curricular activities I wanted for my son. The owner has great communication and works with families and their needs.”
Questions parents ask
We care for children from 12 weeks through 5 years, across four programs: Infant Care from 12 weeks to 18 months, Toddler Care from 18 months to 3 years, Preschool from 3 to 4 years, and Pre-Kindergarten from 4 to 5 years.
Yes. We accept both, and Ms. Mariela helps families through the application process personally.
Yes. We take part in CACFP, so meals are prepared on site and included in the program.
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
We offer both weekly care and drop-in care, subject to availability. Ask us what is open when you book your tour.
Yes. We walk to the neighbourhood playground for outdoor play whenever the weather allows, so the children get fresh air and space to move every day we can.
We are a licensed group family daycare. That means a small, home-like setting, run on a structured early learning program with a daily schedule and monthly activity calendars.
Yes. Our team speaks English and Spanish.
Yes, and we would rather you did. Choose a 45 minute in person tour to walk through the space and meet the team, or a 30 minute virtual tour if that is easier this week.
It starts with a tour. If it feels right, we will walk you through the paperwork, including voucher forms if you are using one.
It depends on the age group and the time of year. Book a tour and we will tell you exactly what is open.
Next step
Book a 45 minute in person tour, or a 30 minute virtual tour. No obligation either way.
