Early Childhood Services

Our Early Childhood Programs enable children between six (6) weeks to 5 years to improve their social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language skills. It also helps parents become more active participants in their children’s education. In the process, the children gain the building blocks to be lifelong learners and responsible members of their schools, families, and communities.
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Our Early Childhood Goals
Child Development
Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers improve their social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language skills.
EC Programs are about Social/Emotional, Physical, Cognitive & Language Development
We increase the social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Throughout the day, they participate in free and structured educational activities. They also participate in field trips pertaining to certain themes and gross motor activities. In the process, we use several assessments (TS GOLD ECERS-3, and TPOT) to measure our progress and impact. Ultimately, the students will grow in all developmental areas.
Parent Involvement
Parents become more active participants in their children’s education.
EC Programs are about parent involvement in their children’s education
Parents become involved in classroom curriculum activities such as reading to the children, assisting in the creation of props for the curriculum themes and helping with bulletin boards etc. They also participate in monthly workshops on many topics to meet their needs, such as child development, nutrition, reading to your child, etc. Ultimately, parents will have an increased understanding of Developmentally Appropriate Practice.
Quality Schools
All Early Childhood Centers meet formal research-based, high-quality early childhood program standards.
EC Programs are formal, research-based, high-quality programs
Two (2) of our ECCs are maintaining high-quality standards and are preparing for reaccreditation process through NAEYC. Another ECC is preparing for the NAEYC accreditation process. All seven (7)EC programs are participating in the GrowNJ Kids Quality Rating Improvement Scale. We are working toward all of them achieving NAEYC Accreditation and/or complete the Quality Star System (QRIS).
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Early Childhood Centers (ECC)
PRAB is the largest preschool provider in the New Brunswick School District, providing high quality, early childhood education to over 600 children. New Brunswick children, ages 3-5, receive six (6) hours of educational programming throughout a ten (10) month, school-year. All ECCs are free of charge and include daily breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. Children may also participate daily in before and after care service and in our two (2) month summer program.
Joyce Chase, MAEd
Site Director
18 Drift ECC
18 Drift Street
(732) 828-4709
Jchase@prab.orgShari Boyington, MAT
Site Director
Joyce Kilmer ECC
411 Joyce Kilmer Ave.
(732) 339-8772
Sboyington@prab.orgLorraine Carniglia
Site Director
Downtown ECC
323 George Street
(732) 545-0426Darshna Amarnani
Site Director
Raritan Gardens ECC
300 Hoffman Boulevard
(732) 247-5640
Damarnani@prab.orgChristopher Blount
Site Director
Mario Gonzalez
Child Development
Center
287 Townsend Street
(732) 828-4572
Cblount@prab.orgTo enroll your child in one of our ECCs:
- You must be the child’s parent or guardian.
- Follow the enrollment instructions in the New Brunswick Public School’s Office of Early Childhood Education website.
- Schedule an on-site appointment with the Office of Early Childhood Education at (732) 745-5300 ext. 4060.
- Download and complete the Pupil Registration Form, and bring the following documents:
1) Child’s ORIGINAL Birth Certificate
2) Child’s Immunization Record
3) Two (2) Proofs of your Current Address: *(Residency verification is required).
- If you own your home, you must provide a tax bill & 1 utility bill.
- If you rent, you must provide a lease and one utility bill.
Note: Utility bills such as PSE&G, landline telephone, cable, or water must be no older than 60 days.
- If you are living with someone or renting a room, this requires a home visit to verify address.
- Documents pertaining to military status
- Letter from Women Aware/Letter from New Brunswick homeless shelters
Enroll as soon as possible, as placements are done on a first come, first serve basis, based on complete registrations. Incomplete registrations delay placements.
If your child will participate in our Wraparound and/or Summer Programs:
Submit Income Verification (For Wraparound, you may qualify for free, reduced, or pay service, based on your income)
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Parent Infant Care Center (PIC-C)
New Brunswick high school students who are parents can stay in school while their infants and toddlers receive on-site daycare. Student and children receive case management and counseling services through graduation from high school. PIC-C is a partnership with New Brunswick Tomorrow and the New Brunswick Public Schools.
Janice Tumbleson
Site Director
Parent-Infant Care Center
1000 Somerset Street
(732) 745-5300 Ext.3088
Janice_tumbleson@nbpsnj.netTo enroll yourself and your child in PIC-C, you must:
- Attend New Brunswick High School
- Be pregnant or have a child
- Agree to receive case management and counseling services through graduation
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Our Early Childhood Services Partners
Our Early Childhood Services count on the continued partnerships and collaborations with the community institutions below. We encourage you to visit their websites to learn about and access their programs and services, which include the following areas: Early Childhood, Youth, Family, Housing & Homelessness, Immigration, Community Service Access, Energy Conservation, Health & Nutrition, Education (PreK-12, Higher, etc.), Arts & Culture, Economic Development, and Community Development.
Catholic Charities/Child Care Solutions (CCR&R)
Provide professional development opportunities; parent resource and education; and subsidies for qualifying families
Central Jersey Family Health
Collaborate on children’s development al screening project for ages 0-3
Clinica Latina
Provide behavioral health support for families in need
Grow NJ Kids
Provide professional development for our staff; and quality star rating system for Early Childhood Programs
Eric B. Chandler Health Clinic
Provide quality health care opportunities for children and families; and workshops for families on healthy eating and living
M.C.F.O.O.D.S
Provide help for families in need through food assistance
Middlesex County Mental Health Center
Provide mental and behavioral health support for families in need
NAEYC: National Association for the Education of Young Children
Provide Professional development opportunities through local and nationwide trainings and conferences; Nationally recognized Accreditation System
New Brunswick Fire Department
Provide safety workshops for children and families
New Brunswick Free Public Library
Conduct school visits and story hours; Provide library visits for children to increase their understating on the importance of reading and literacy
New Brunswick Public Schools
PRAB is the largest preschool provider for the New Brunswick Public Schools, serving over 630 students; our PIC-C program also receives funding from NBBOE
New Brunswick Tomorrow/Early Childhood Consortium
Plan activities for families, and provide professional development opportunities
Perform Care NJ
Provide mental and behavioral health support to our families in need
Rutgers Behavioral Health Center
Provide mental and behavioral health support to our families in need
RWJUH Community Health Promotion Program
Provide Health and Safety education to our children and families
Saint Peter’s Healthcare System
Provide quality health care opportunities for our children and families; and workshops for families on healthy eating and living
Salvation Army
Provide clothing donations to our families in need
State Theatre of New Jersey
Introduce our children to the art of theatre, and open their horizon to be sensitive to different art styles
Unity Square Neighborhood Revitalization Project
Provide resources for our families who live in the Unity Square neighborhood
PRAB serves everyone regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, familial status, gender, sexual orientation, or functional impairment. We also serve as a voice to ensure equity & access to community resources and benefits for all people groups and communities in Central New Jersey.
RELEVANT LINKS
Watch “PRAB’s Early Childhood Center Gives Children a Boost”
See Related News
See Related Events
Rita Koromi, MAEd, MAEl
Senior Director
Early Childhood & Youth Services
90 Jersey Avenue
(732) 828-4510
Rkoromi@prab.org