Public School #4

We at the Early Childhood Program are delighted to welcome you and the preschool children to our program. The children will begin a new journey that will help build a strong foundation for future success. Our dedicated, compassionate and experienced staff is ready to work with you to ascertain that all early childhood children reach their fullest potential as critical thinkers, problem solvers, and respectful citizens of the future. The students will also experience a safe and nurturing environment that is conducive to meeting the needs of our diverse population.

West New Yorks Early Childhood Program has been applauded for establishing and meeting the many components that entail the Elements of a High Quality Preschool Program. One of these components is the researched based Tools of the Mind Program that is used in both the three and four year old classes. The curriculum objectives are to develop childrens underlying cognitive skills and specific literacy skills. Additionally, it focuses on childrens social-emotional school readiness. Childrens learning styles and developmental levels are addressed through differentiation of instruction to meet the individualized learning needs of each student. Parents may access information about the Tools of the Mind Curriculum at www.mscd.edu/extendedcampus/toolsofthemind/.

Another component of our quality program is the staff. The staff consists of supervisors, master teachers, nurses, highly qualified teachers, certified paraprofessionals, a Community and Parent Involvement Specialist, Preschool Intervention and Referral Team members, a Child Study Team, a social worker, speech therapists, resource teachers, a placement coordinator, administrative secretaries and custodians who are dedicated to make this program one of the best.

The Early Childhood Program is assessed on a yearly basis through the use of multiple instruments. The district also does a self assessment using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS), Supports for Early Literacy Assessment (SELA), and Preschool Classroom Mathematics Inventory (PCMI). The results are used to address areas of professional development, materials, and to meet the early childhood guidelines. This process has made the program what it is today-a high functioning preschool program.

To ensure that all children reach their highest potential, we encourage a strong home and school connection. The program offers many parent meetings throughout the school year to discuss topics that parents have identified through community surveys. During the school year, you will receive a community survey which will help us identify your needs as well as community needs. The Early Childhood Program offers parent trainers, social workers and family workers to assist parents with any concerns, suggestions, or advice that may be needed to ensure children are ready to learn. Every month parents will receive invitations to parent meetings and other programs that are offered, such as computer classes, ESL classes, transition workshops, and many more. The program will also have parent conferences, an Open House and Parents Night. Parents will receive the dates through parent letters, the school website and/or through telephone messages.

Additionally, our program is housed in multiple school buildings. Our early childhood classrooms are located at the Early Childhood School, School Number One, School Number Two, School Number Three, School Number Four, School Four Annex, School Number Five and School Number Six. This school year, we relocated classrooms from the Early Childhood Center to School Four Annex. The programs supervisors, Ms. Ferrer and Ms. Rodriguez are housed at School Four Annex. We look forward to continuing our high quality program at our new school. The program also offers fourteen private provider locations throughout West New York (See attached list of provider locations and contacts).

Children are offered lunch and a snack daily. The program offers wrap around child care services in the morning and after school. This service is provided by Catapult Learning for our in-district program. The same service is offered at our private provider locations. Parents must apply in order for the children to participate in this program. Catapult Learning and/or Private Provider Directors can offer information based on eligibility requirements that must be met in order to participate in the before and after care program.

To ensure that the school is able to maintain childrens health and safety, parents should notify the school if any changes take place in either the childs address or contact information throughout the school year. Telephone numbers need to be correct and updated so that the school can reach parents at all times. On a one session day, it is important that plans are made to pick up the preschool student by an adult that has been designated on the authorized pickup form. We want all our students to feel happy and secure that they will be leaving on time with a person they know and trust. Your cooperation is very much appreciated.

I look forward to working with the parents and the staff, as well as meeting the preschool children this year. I am sure this will be a very rewarding and successful school year for all. Please feel free to contact my office at (201) 553-4035 if you wish to speak to me.

Child Ages:

2.5 years - 6 years

Licenses & Accreditations:

New Jersey Department of Children and Families