Early Childhood Education – Urban League of Essex County

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - WHERE LEARNING COMES ALIVE!

Welcome to the Urban League of Essex County's (ULEC) Early Childhood Education Program.

We focus on and are committed to cultivating the cognitive and social development of children through play-based learning.

The ULEC provides learning opportunities that incorporates hands-on experiences in small classroom sizes and in outdoor learning spaces, while promoting a lifelong love of learning.

Where learning comes alive! We utilize the Creative Curriculum model for Preschool and Toddler's Goals and Objectives to begin building a strong academic foundation for our students. Its curriculum framework is based on developmentally appropriate practices that stresses instruction and teaching in ways that match the way children develop and learn.

Making Discovery Fun

Building Social Skills

Creating in a Safe Environment

CREATIVE CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK

The framework focuses on the following:

How Children Develop and Learn

The Learning Environment

What Children Learn

The Teacher’s Role

The Family’s Role

The curriculum framework is applied to eleven areas that can be found in each classroom:

Art * Blocks * Computers * Cooking * Discovery Center * Dramatic Play * Library * Music & Movement * Outdoor / Active Play * Sand & Water Play * Toys & Games

Our program is structured in a math and literacy-rich environment and integrates social emotional skill development. Our teachers follow a very interactive curriculum that encourages independence and self-discovery. Thus, our students not only gain a strong academic foundation, but develop character and habits they need to be successful in school and in life, including independence, strategic planning, problem solving and critical thinking skills.

By the time our students move on from our program, they have reached or exceeded their developmental milestones based on their individual needs.

WHY CHOOSE US

A full day of Preschool. Our Early Childhood Center is open from 7:30am to 5:30pm, Monday through Friday and we follow the Newark Public School District's (Newark Board of Education) academic calendar from September through June.

Wrap Around Care is available during the summer months providing an enriched summer filled with fun learning activities.

Our high-quality program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is licensed by the State of New Jersey to provide quality services to children from 18 months of age to 5 years.

Our Center participates in Grow NJ Kids, which is New Jersey's Quality Rating Improvement System program to raise the quality of child care and early learning across the state.

Our teachers are certified, which means your child will be taught by instructors who have received specific preschool education and have passed a series of required tests.

We are committed to developing the essential academic, cognitive, and social skills that your children need to excel in Kindergarten and beyond.

We welcome children 18 months to 5 years old.

Nutritious meals

We accept Programs for Parents and Private Pay.

Download 2021-2022 School Calendar

Download ULEC November 2021 Calendar

Congratulations!

Thursday, September 23 was Dads Take Your Child to School Day for the 21-22 School Year. For the very first time, our very own preschool program, led by our fabulous Director, Ms. Heather Wilson was in the top 5 of all the Newark Board of Education Pre-K programs.

An Excellent School

"The Urban League is an excellent school. They treated my child the same as I, with love, care and attention and the direction for higher education."

- Ivy Hall, parent of 2010 graduate

Well-Balanced Environment

“If you want your child in a pleasant, warm, loving, and all around well-balanced environment, then I strongly urge you to consider the Urban League Preschool. My children have enjoyed their experience at the school and learned so much. I am grateful for all the work they do in and outside of the classroom.”

- Mrs. Gowdie, parent of 2009 and 2011 graduates

NEWS AND RESOURCES

CONGRATULATIONS to our Early Childhood Center! Thursday, September 23, 2021 was Dads Take Your Child to School Day for the 21-22 School Year. For the very first time, our very own preschool program, led by our fabulous Director, Ms. Heather Wilson was in the top 5 of all the Newark Board of Education Pre-K programs. Check out photos on our Facebook page.

VISIT our Resource Center

For more information:

Heather Wilson

Director

Early Childhood Education

973-624-9535 x223