Cortelyou Early Childhood Center​ Offers Premier Education In Brooklyn

This Patch article is sponsored by Cortelyou Early Childhood Center.

Local businesses are the heart of our communities. Patch had a chance to talk with Garneth Francis, Fiscal Director of Cortelyou Early Childhood Center.

Patch: Tell us about your organization.
Garneth Francis: We are a private school that provides services for children from ages 2 to 13 within the Flatbush/Ditmas Park area. Our services consist of pre-school, 3K & Pre-K, Elementary School (K to 5), After School, Mid-Winter/Spring Recess Camps, and a Summer Camp program. We have been in business since 1983, and this year is our 40th Anniversary.

Patch: How long has your organization been around in the community?
Francis: 40 years.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?
Francis: Our founder, Mrs. Leonie Francis-Bryan, has resided and served the Brooklyn community for over 50 years. Starting out as an emergency room nurse at Brookdale Hospital in the 1980s and founding our school in 1983. As a full time nurse and mother of three, Mrs. Bryan was looking for a quality daycare to enroll her youngest child in while her older children were in public school. She wasn't able to find what she was looking for, so she decided to open her own private pre-school that would offer the high quality and reliable services the children of the community needed.

Patch: If you had to sum up your business mission to a stranger in five words, what would those words be?
Francis: To provide a premier education.

Patch: What’s the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you’ve faced in your job?
Francis: The biggest challenge that we have experienced would be getting the word out to families in the Brooklyn community about the premier educational services we offer.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
Francis: Seeing our students growing throughout their journey into highly successful students and professionals that attend top schools and universities.

Patch: How would you say your business or organization distinguishes itself from the others?
Francis: Family-oriented (strong sense of family ties both within individual families and the extended Cortelyou Family)

Structured (school uniforms, daily routines, strong curriculums)

Progressive (forward-looking perspective with a hands-on/experiential focus)

Diverse (both in staff and students)

Small Class Sizes (more personal instruction)

Extracurricular Activities (STEM, Performing Arts, Daily News Spelling Bee Competition, Science & Math Competitions, and so on)

Community involved (community outreach, involvement, and volunteering)

Affordable (keeping costs low and quality service high compared to our competitors)

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?
Francis: By staying focused & maintaining a great work ethic, your hard work will pay off and lead to great success. Never give up.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about?
Francis: Expanding the size of our current programs and widening our service offerings. This is our long-term project/goal.

Patch: Do you have any events coming up in your community?
Francis: We are celebrating our 40th Anniversary with a special Gala taking place on 4/23/2023. Beyond celebrating Cortelyou's legacy, we are also hosting a fundraising campaign for Cortelyou and its various long term goals. More details can be found on our Eventbrite page for the Gala.

• Email: info@mycecc.com
• Phone: 718-282-6077
• Address: 1110 Cortelyou Road (Brooklyn, NY 11218)
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Visit mycecc.com to learn more about Cortelyou Early Childhood Center today.