Our Story

There is nothing as rewarding and challenging as becoming a new parent. You experience unconditional love, and the unending battle for a better night’s sleep. You join the ranks of parenthood, yet may feel lonely and confused. As infants mature to toddlerhood, you look for new ways to bond with them and support their growth.

​

Our story began with a simple belief: you don’t have to go it alone.

​

Celebrating more than 4 decades in Port Washington, The Parent Resource Center (“PRC”) has been an integral part of the community, bringing together families with young children to play, learn, grow, and make life-long friendships. We are the place where children and their caregivers make their first connections.

​

Founded by Lynne Patterson in 1980, the PRC was originally housed in one room of the old Flower Hill School on Campus Drive. Today, the PRC has grown to over 400 members and provides parenting workshops, social events, recreational outings, summer enrichment programs, and a myriad of developmental classes geared toward infants and toddlers. Since the beginning, a core commitment of the PRC has been supporting economically disadvantaged families. Our Outreach program helps many local families gain access to early childhood educational opportunities through our “Stepping Stones” preschool readiness classes, ESL classes, summer enrichment program and scholarships to PRC programs.

​

With professionally-led classes and a loving staff, The Parent Resource Center of Port Washington has become one of the premiere early childhood learning centers in our region. We strive to create an environment that is welcoming, safe and inclusive and hope that you’ll join us at an upcoming class or future event.

Our Mission

The PRC's mission is to provide first connections to young children and their families.  We aim to provide early education enrichment opportunities at affordable prices to all of our community's families.  Operating in an economically and culturally diverse area, the PRC brings families together in a supportive environment where parents and caregivers can share the joys and challenges of raising young children while their children play, experiment and learn in a safe and nurturing environment.