The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center was recently awarded a four-star
rating from Grow NJ Kids, the state-sponsored initiative to raise
the quality of child care and early learning throughout New Jersey. The rating is based on a rigorous process
which considers documentation, classroom environment, in-person observations, and
other factors. The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center is an expansive childcare and preschool facility which offers space for 83 youngsters, ages 6 weeks
to 6 years, and is operated by Project Self-Sufficiency at 127 Mill Street in Newton.
Jennifer Blohm is a Technical
Assistance Specialist from the Central Jersey Family Health
Consortium, one of three
agencies assigned to provide technical assistance and support to programs
participating in Grow NJ Kids. Blohm was
so impressed by the quality of the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center
environment, that she decided to enroll her own child in the preschool. “The goal of Grow NJ Kids is to have quality
care across the state of New Jersey in all programs. The classrooms at Little
Sprouts achieved very high scores in the observation tool which resulted in a
4-star rating for the program. It’s an amazing achievement and it really speaks
to the high quality of the environment.”
Participating Grow NJ Kids facilities are
monitored every three years. During the
evaluation, specialists review an array of documentation related to the center,
including handbooks, professional development records and curriculum as well as
equipment and facility logs. In addition, raters assess teaching strategies,
interactions between faculty and students, and adherence to guidelines for health
and safety, literacy, classroom displays, diversity, and community outreach. Between
assessments, specialists are available for in-class support and assistance.
“We are acutely aware that high-quality
childcare and preschool are needed to prepare students for a lifetime of
success, both in the classroom and in the community,” remarked Project
Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon. “We are extremely proud of the faculty at the
Little Sprouts Early Learning Center for their dedication to their students,
their creativity, and their commitment to offering the highest quality care to
each and every child who comes through our doors.”
The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center features separate classrooms
for each age group, from infancy through preschool. Free preschool is available to Newton
students, ages 3 and 4. The center uses Creative Curriculum, a curriculum approved by the State of New
Jersey and endorsed by the National Association for the Education of Young
Children, in all
classrooms to help children learn important skills in math, literacy, science,
social studies, the arts, and technology. Fully qualified teachers are
available in each school room and the child-teacher ratio adheres to or exceeds
state standards.
The availability of an on-site vegetable garden and weekly visits by
Master Gardeners provides interactive instruction about nutrition, the origin
of food, cooking, and other topics. The curriculum is enhanced by frequent
special guests who read to the students and offer simple lessons in the arts.
Each classroom has new equipment and classroom learning materials to
support dramatic play, science and
technology, sand and water play, reading, and music. The center also contains an all-purpose room
for active indoor play and parent presentations, as well as a sick room for
those children who may fall ill during the day.
The center is equipped with two separate playgrounds, one for younger
tots and one for older children. All types of state-sponsored child care
benefits are accepted, including New Jersey Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and child care offered through the
state’s Work First New Jersey cash assistance program. For more information visit the center’s
website, www.littlesproutsearlylearningcenter.org or call 973-940-3540.
