About Academic Explorers

Trusted Child Care for Long Island Families Since 2017

Academic Explorers was founded by Danielle Paige, an experienced early childhood educator who began her journey as a group family day care provider in her home. Guided by her passion for creating high-quality learning environments where children can thrive, Danielle partnered with her father, Rodney Paige, to expand child care services across Long Island. Together, they built a family-owned network of nurturing and educational child care centers designed to support children from infancy through school age.

Today, Academic Explorers proudly serves approximately 300 families in Nassau County through four conveniently located child care centers in Roosevelt, Merrick, Uniondale, and Old Westbury. Each center offers developmentally appropriate classrooms, experienced teachers, and The Creative Curriculum®, a research-based approach that fosters curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

We operate year-round with extended hours to meet the needs of working families who require flexible, reliable, and high-quality child care in Long Island. Whether you’re seeking infant care, preschool programs, or before- and after-school options, Academic Explorers provides a safe, engaging, and supportive environment where children love to learn and families feel at home.

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Nurturing Curiosity Through The Creative Curriculum®

We believe that every child learns best through exploration, discovery, and play. That’s why our programs follow The Creative Curriculum, a nationally recognized, research-based approach designed to build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Each classroom environment encourages curiosity, hands-on learning, and meaningful social interaction, preparing children for success in kindergarten and beyond.

To ensure the highest standards of early education, curriculum implementation across all Academic Explorers centers is overseen by a certified teacher licensed by New York State. This leadership ensures that lesson plans, classroom environments, and assessments align with state standards and best practices in early childhood education. Through intentional teaching, individualized learning goals, and a nurturing atmosphere, Academic Explorers creates the foundation for every child’s success—academically, socially, and emotionally.