WELCOME TO THE EAST ORANGE YMCA EARLY CHILDHOOD PRESCHOOL PROGRAM!

The East Orange YMCA Child Care Program offers flexibility and is designed to nurture children in an environment that is safe, caring and stimulating. Our preschool program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  

At the YMCA, we believe that each child is a special and unique individual.  We base our curriculum on our knowledge of the ways in which young children learn best.  Our classrooms and activities are designed to meet the needs of the whole child.  Our hands-on experience-based approach promotes comprehensive child development and also fosters a love of learning. 

We maintain qualified staff experienced in early childhood education, who love working with children, and welcome parent involvement at all levels.

Clues & Questions - A cat named Curiosity introduces the concepts for the day.  The puppet builds the children's curiosity by asking questions and giving clues about what they will learn that day.

Rhyme Time - Through music, movement, songs, finger-plays and other rhymes and poems, the children begin to understand that sounds make up words in our language.  This knowledge is one of the first and most important steps to becoming successful readers.

Learning Labs - The classroom is divided into different areas; such as art, blocks, dramatic play, library, sand/water, science and writing.  In these Learning Labs the children explore and learn about concepts of their day and build on their language, math, science, social and creative abilities.

Story Tree - As the children enjoy a wide variety of wonderful children's stories, the children develop thinking and language skills.  The children express what will happen in the story, recall events from the story, relate the story to their own lives and retell or act out the story.

Outdoor/Gross Motor Play - The children run, jump, climb, play with balls, and engage in group games and other activities to develop physically and socially and to build self-confidence.

Snack Time - As the children sit together to enjoy healthy foods, the children learn manners and skills for getting along, as well as good health practices and eating habits.

Question/Reflection - At the end of the class time, the children gather together to talk about what they learned during the day.

HomeLink - Everyday the children are given an activity to do or a question to explore that will link what happens in school with what happens at home or in the neighborhood.  Parents are encouraged to ask their children about the Home Link" activity each day.  The "Home Link" is an excellent way to form a link between home and school.

Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks are provided daily.
Early Childhood Education Program (7:00 am to 6:00 pm). 

Please contact Sharon Parker, Childcare Director at 973-673-5588 ext. 104 if you have any questions.