Amazing Staff

Our staff are very well-educated, extremely dedicated and have an average of over 15 years experience in preschool education at Children’s Day. Our Education Supervisor works alongside a variety of specialists to help customize the HighScope Curriculum for the particular needs of the children we serve; including strategies to support their social-emotional needs to foster the growth and resilience of each child.

Nationally Recognized Curriculum

The HighScope Curriculum uses an Active Learning Approach model that focuses on how the child manipulates materials and uses them to express ideas. The focus in not on the finished project. Process rather than Product drives the curriculum. It meets NJ early learning standards, the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework, and NAEYC developmentally appropriate practice guidelines.

Developmental Screenings

Multiple developmental evaluations, plus tracking and monitoring processes are used to ensure every child’s opportunity to develop is optimized. Teaching, social service, therapeutic staff and consultants use these results to customize individualized learning and treatment plans.

Classroom Support

Children are provided with a range of support services, including cognitive, speech, occupational, physical and art therapy. Developmental screening results, along with a team approach, are used to determine what services are needed; specialists then work with children individually or in small groups in the classroom setting. Modeling and coaching are additional techniques used with teaching staff so supportive practices can continue long after specialists leave the classroom.

Learning Specialists

Consulting Cognitive and Speech Therapists work individually and in small groups with children who have identified needs. The specialists also work closely with classroom staff and meet regularly with parents to ensure that gains made in the classroom are transferred to the home.

Art Therapy

Our Registered, Board Certified Art Therapist works with children who have a variety of needs; primarily focusing on strengthening resilience, actively encouraging social-emotional growth and developing effective self-regulation. She works with children individually or in small groups- both inside and outside of the classroom.

Health and Wellness

Our on-staff Nurse ensures student’s medical records are up to date, manages the children’ health issues while at the center, and maintains connections with health specialists in the community, including local physicians, dentists and clinics. She directly provides several health screenings and works closely with parents of children with chronic health conditions.

Family Workshops

Families are provided with a array of relevant workshops throughout the year to promote positive parent development- including topics such as good nutrition, behavior management, deepening the connection between parent and child, promoting resilience, and encouraging self-care.

Support Groups

Support groups provide parents with the opportunity to gather for less formal meetings where they can share their struggles as well as successes. The opportunity to participate in these monthly emotional and social support groups has proven to be a treasured experience for many of our parents.

Home Visits

Family Workers make a home visit at least once a year to get to know the student and their families- an essential step towards building the connection that will grow over the time the child remains at Children’s Day and beyond.

Family Partnerships

Family Workers strive to establish a written “family contract” with each student’s family that documents the family’s goals for the year. Family Workers review this contract to determine progress and provide support when needed.

Ongoing Communication

All of our staff- including directors, managers, family workers and teaching and office staff interact regularly with parents in person, on the phone, and through Children’s Day gatherings to maintain a close working relationship.

Children’s Day supports healthy growth and learning through nutritious meals and daily wellness practices. We participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), ensuring children receive balanced, nourishing meals that meet federal nutrition standards and support their overall health and readiness to learn.