28 Oct Petits Poussins

Petits Poussins daycares and preschools have made their mark on hundreds of New York families for over a decade now, bringing French bilingual education to communities across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Now well-established in the city’s educational community, we want to shed light on how it all began and what makes Petits Poussins different.

Vanessa Handal-Ghenania, born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was raised in a French-speaking household where language and culture have always been at heart of family life. In the spring of 2014, after the birth of her third son, Vanessa founded Petits Poussins out of both necessity and passion. While searching for childcare options for her three young sons, she found that nothing quite matched her vision: French-bilingual, nurturing, warm environment where her children could grow through play, art, and language immersion. She decided to take matters into her own hands.

Within the walls of her Harlem living room, Petits Poussins was born. Her three sons were her first students, and what began as a small family daycare quickly expanded into something much larger. Vanessa soon discovered that her need for early bilingual education was not unique and extended far beyond her own family. Many families in her community were looking to raise children in an environment that celebrated language, culture, and diversity from the very start. Her living room soon overflowed with young learners, marking the beginning of the Petits Poussins journey.

Today, Petits Poussins and VHG Group operate five locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn, with two more opening in 2026. Each location maintains the same family-like atmosphere as the first Harlem classroom, and despite the growth, at its core, Petits Poussins remains the same. Every classroom radiates warmth, with bilingualism at the center of each lesson, alternating between English and French circle times throughout the week. In every classroom, there are two teachers, one whose native language is English and the other whose native language is French, ensuring that both languages are naturally woven into the children’s daily experience. Our teachers are committed, creative, and above all, nurturing and attentive.

Petits Poussins’ curriculum prioritizes creativity and individuality. The curriculum blends structure with creativity, weaving art, music, movement, movement, and storytelling into each day. Each week, children explore a new theme, even in the infant classrooms, with activities, songs, and projects centered around that topic. The themes have quite a range – lifecycle of a butterfly, nutrition, la Francophonie, love and friendship just to name a few.

Finally, community engagement is an integral part Petits Poussins. Each of our locations actively participates in neighborhood festivals, cultural fairs, and educational events throughout the year, helping children understand that learning extends beyond the classroom. Seasonal celebrations bring our families together, reflecting the idea that education is about connecting with others.

Locations:

Petits Poussins Upper East Side
1439 First Avenue (on 75th street)
New York, NY 10021

Petits Poussins Too 
2235A Frederick Douglass Blvd
New York, NY 10027

Bilingual Nest
300 Manhattan Avene
New York, NY 10026

Petits Poussins Brooklyn
11 Hoyt Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Petits Poussins DUMBO
151 York Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Petits Poussins Carroll Gardens (Coming Early 2026)
283 Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Petits Poussins Midtown (Coming Spring 2026) 
685 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016

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