Our story
Where little ones learn, grow, and shine
Lighthouse Daycare was founded on a simple belief: every child deserves a safe, loving place to discover the world. We've been that place for families across Jamaica, Queens ever since.
Our mission
At Lighthouse Daycare, our mission is to provide a nurturing, inclusive environment where children ages 6 weeks to 5 years can explore, learn, and thrive. We believe the earliest years are the most formative, and we take that responsibility seriously.
Every decision we make, from our curriculum to our staffing ratios, is guided by one question: what's best for the children in our care?
Warmth & belonging
Every child and family is welcomed as part of our community from day one.
Play-based learning
We follow each child's natural curiosity, using play as the foundation for all learning.
Safety first
Our facility meets all NYC licensing requirements and our staff are CPR and first-aid certified.
Family partnership
We keep parents informed and involved; you're our most important partner.
Meet our team
Our caregivers are experienced, certified, and genuinely passionate about early childhood education.
Meet Amanda
Amanda Hyde
Founder & Director of Lighthouse Daycare
A Foundation Built on Care, Safety & Family SupportAmanda brings a diverse professional background in caregiving, direct care, family support, advocacy, safety, and management to her role as Founder and Director of Lighthouse Daycare. Throughout her career, she has worked in positions centered around protecting others, supporting families, maintaining safe environments, and helping individuals receive the care and resources they need.
With a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Management, along with training and certifications in CPR, First Aid, and Mental Health First Aid, Amanda combines compassionate care with strong leadership, organization, and a commitment to safety.
Why Lighthouse?
Amanda created Lighthouse Daycare with a vision that extends beyond traditional childcare. She understands that working parents often need more than a place for their children to stay; they need a dependable support system and the peace of mind that comes from knowing their child is in a safe, loving, and nurturing environment.
That vision inspired the name Lighthouse. Just as a lighthouse serves as a beacon of guidance, safety, and reassurance, Lighthouse Daycare was created to be a beacon of support for working families as they navigate the responsibilities of work and family life.
For the children entrusted to our care, Lighthouse is designed to be a home away from home: a place where they feel safe, valued, encouraged, and free to explore. Through nurturing relationships, age-appropriate learning experiences, purposeful play, and individualized attention, children are given opportunities to learn, build confidence, develop new skills, and grow at their own pace.
Her philosophy is simple: when children feel safe, loved, and supported, they have the confidence to explore, learn, and thrive. At Lighthouse Daycare, our purpose goes beyond caring for children. We strive to be a trusted partner and a dependable light for the families we serve.
Meet Yazmin
Yazmin Wheatle
Lead Early Childhood Educator
Creating Meaningful Learning Through Care & ConnectionWith over five years of experience in early childhood education, Yazmin brings a strong background in both childcare and classroom-based learning to Lighthouse Daycare. Her experience as a school paraprofessional has given her the opportunity to support children's individual learning needs, develop lesson plans, lead engaging activities, and help create structured, positive learning environments.
At Lighthouse, Yazmin helps transform everyday moments into opportunities for children to learn, explore, and build confidence. She supports age-appropriate activities that encourage early literacy, creativity, problem-solving, social-emotional development, and learning through play.
Yazmin believes that children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and understood. Her warm and patient approach allows her to build meaningful relationships with children while recognizing that each child develops at their own pace and may need different types of encouragement and support.
Working alongside Amanda, Yazmin helps ensure that Lighthouse provides a nurturing balance of care, learning, structure, and play, giving children a strong foundation as they prepare for their next stages of development.
Licensed, certified & trusted
Come see it for yourself
We'd love to show you around. Schedule a tour and meet our team. No pressure, just a warm welcome.