Choosing the right preschool is a choice many parents have a hard time with because, for most, this is the first time they will have to dip their toes into making formal education choices. Thankfully, there are a lot of different options in Central New Jersey where the education system ranks second nationwide!
Since this is a hard decision for many to make, we thought we would put the best preschool options together for you — including some pros and cons for each choice.
Day Care & Child Care Centers
According to the State of New Jersey, the term “Child Care Center” or “Center” is defined as “any home or facility, by whatever name known, which is maintained for the care, development or supervision of six or more children under 13 years of age who attend for less than 24 hours a day.” This does not include preschools that are part of private educational facilities like elementary schools or even some religious schools.
Oftentimes, daycare centers are a more convenient choice for working parents because they have long hours, they do not take off during school breaks and over the summer, and they typically accept a wider age range (infants through pre-kindergarteners).
However, daycare and child care centers are often said to be more like full-time care facilities than educational institutions. While most preschools do circle time, make arts and crafts, and teach letters and numbers, they will not be as focused or as methodical as other options.
Private Preschool As Part Of A Private School
Preschools that are not part of a larger educational institution typically provide care for shorter hours, though some may offer full-time programs. Private schools that also offer preschool usually offer longer hours with before- and after-care, as well as summer options, but they are closed for holidays, school breaks, and summer. Just like daycare and child care centers, preschools must be licensed, and most teachers have some training in early childhood education.
The advantages of a private preschool as part of a larger school are:
- Small teacher-to-student ratio; smaller class sizes for more individualized attention
- Exposure to a broader and more in-depth curriculum (e.g., multilingual) that progresses as the child grows
- Since private schools usually pay better than daycare centers, they can hire the best and most qualified teachers available.
- Extensive before- and after-care options that may even include help with homework and/or extra-curricular activities.
The downside, of course, is that tuition is often higher than in daycare centers.
Montessori Preschool
There are many myths surrounding Montessori schools. Some say there is no structure at all. Others say there is way too much structure. The truth is somewhere in the middle. The concept, as well as the curriculum, is based on the research of Dr. Maria Montessori, one of Italy’s first female physicians. Many parents feel that Montessori is an excellent choice for their child as it takes a self-controlling and holistic approach to learning.
Most Montessori schools in and around Somerset, NJ and the surrounding areas take students ages two to six. A few include some elementary programs up to 2nd grade and, in one case, up to the age of 12. The cost of tuition ranges anywhere from $7,800 to $13,600 but is more likely to be on the higher end for most schools. Tuition is mostly dependent upon the quality of the school, the age of your child, and how long your child will remain at the school (e.g., whether or not before-care and after-care are needed).
Students coming from Montessori schools in the area consistently rank very high in their academic achievements once they join Cedar Hill Prep, and they feel right at home as our general philosophies and curriculums are very much aligned, even if they are taught very differently.
Charter School
Because Charter Schools are public schools that are funded with public money, they do not charge tuition. Authorized by the NJ State Department of Education, they follow the same laws, including assessment and testing, health requirements, and special education as traditional public schools. Any child can enroll in a charter school. If there are more applicants than spaces available, the charter school must select students using a lottery process. (For additional clarification, see njcharters.org.)
Free Preschool Programs
Now, there is also a free preschool option in Somerset and other locations in New Jersey’s Hudson and Union Counties. Funded by the Federal Government, Head Start Programs (HS) are comprehensive child development programs serving children from birth to age five and their families. The programs are child-focused and have the overall goal of increasing the school-readiness of young children in low-income households. These programs are targeted to special needs children, DYFS, children from homeless families, children in foster care, and Work First New Jersey families (WFNJ).
Religious Preschools
Religion can play a significant role when choosing a preschool for your child. Many Christian (e.g., Catholic, Presbyterian) or Jewish parents pick a preschool that closely resembles their values and traditions to help instill greater religious observance and knowledge in their children from an early age. There are plenty of religious options in a 20-mile radius of Somerset.
However, choosing a religious school always brings an extended curriculum as additional components are added into your preschooler’s days, such as Bible Study or Hebrew language.
For those parents who wish to place their child into a preschool program that is not affiliated with any particular religion, they should consider choosing a nonsectarian school, such as Cedar Hill Prep, where all holidays and beliefs are celebrated.
