The Y’s Grow NJ Kids rated Early Learning programs combine a safe and happy educational environment with an intentional, proven curriculum designed to stimulate intellectual, emotional, and social growth – all with the focus of preparing children for success in kindergarten and beyond. Our program provides development opportunities for young children to learn through play, develop cognitive and physical health, become enthusiastic, inquisitive learners, develop character, be independent and self-confident - and so much more!

The Therapy Place Partnership

The Y is proud to partner with The Therapy Place, a speech and occupational therapy service provider. The Therapy Place works with parents and teachers to discover each child's full potential. Therapy is affordable through most major private insurance networks and offers convenient care in your child's childcare center.

Learn more about the Therapy Place and its services here.

INFANT CARE (6 Weeks - 12 Months)

Many of our Learning Centers provide responsive, individualized care for infants in a safe, developmentally stimulating environment. Every infant is assigned a primary care giver with who the child learn to build a trusting relationship. Your child's primary caregiver provides one-on-one interaction and monitors your child's social, physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Daily communications are provided, including information about your infant's day (meals, moods, diapering, naps, activities, and developmental milestones).

TODDLER CARE (12 Months - 3 Years)

Our Toddler Program fosters the beginning of independence while ensuring that children succeed in their environment. Primary caregivers help toddlers learn how to adapt to a daily routine and respond appropriately socially, manage their own emotions, broaden their receptive and expressive language skills, and develop more refined gross and fine motor abilities. Using the Creative Curriculum, activities are play-based which encourages stimulating interaction with toys and people and allows for individual children to learn and grow at their own pace. Experienced teachers promote learning through active exploration and creative movement as well as continually engaging toddlers in thoughtful conversation as they try new activities and experiences.

PRESCHOOL (3 - 5 Years)

In a structured, academically enriching environment, our Preschool Program is designed to help children build upon their ever-expanding cognitive, social-emotional, and motor abilities in preparation for Kindergarten. Such skills include developing a strong foundation for independence, self-esteem, taking responsibility for one's actions, as well as problem solving and critical thinking. Using the Creative Curriculum, experienced teachers also emphasize continuing children's language development by increasing vocabulary through more focused conversation and consistent pre-reading and writing activities.

CHILD CARE SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY OFFERED AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

EDGAR EARLY
LEARNING CENTER

150 Lake Avenue
Metuchen, NJ 08840

CENTENARY EARLY
LEARNING CENTER

200 Hillside Avenue
Metuchen, NJ 08840

METUCHEN YMCA
CHILD CARE

65 High Street
Metuchen, NJ 08840

EDISON YMCA
CHILD CARE

1775 Oak Tree Road
Edison, NJ 08820

AVENEL LEARNING
CENTER

238 Avenel Street
Avenel, NJ 07001

GRACE EARLY
LEARNING CENTER

600 New Brunswick Avenue
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

HARBORVIEW EARLY
LEARNING CENTER

45 Market Street
Perth Amboy, NJ 08861

INQUIRE ABOUT SERVICES

All of our early education programs at the Y implement The Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers & Twos and The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool. These are state-approved, research-based curriculums that consist of 38 objectives our teachers use for planning and assessment. The Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers & Twos supports teachers in creating both routines and individual experiences for our little ones. The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool helps teachers build on children's confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills, while promoting positive outcomes through studies, which are hands-on, project based investigations.

The Y believes that early education is extremely important. That is why our programs are Grow NJ Kids rated. Grow NJ Kids is a state-sponsored initiative to raise the quality of child care and early learning throughout New Jersey. Grow NJ Kids gives child care and early learning programs resources to assess and improve their programs, while providing parents with information that allows them to evaluate the quality of programs and make the best choices for their child. The goal is to create a system that encourages ongoing improvement.

Grow NJ Kids is part of a national effort. More than 40 other states are at some stage of launching their effort to improve quality. All types of programs can participate in Grow NJ Kids – a child care center, a school- or center-based preschool program, a Head Start program, as well as a registered family child care provider, who cares for children in his/her home.

A leader in childhood obesity prevention, the Y is committed to keeping kids active and educated on healthy living practices. CATCH® is a platform that launches kids and communities toward healthier futures. CATCH® employs a holistic approach to child health promotion by targeting multiple aspects of the school environment: the classroom, Child Nutrition Services, physical education, parents, and the broader school community. This coordinated approach repeatedly reinforces CATCH® lessons and life skills, and is a big part of what makes the program highly effective.

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Early Learning at the YMCA of MEWSA