ENSURING BRIGHT FUTURES: Inside Somerset Hills YMCA’s Early Education Center

Somerset Hills YMCA’s Early Education Center provides children as young as 6 weeks old with a nurturing environment where learning, growth, and discovery happen every day. Serving families through quality early childhood education and care, the program is designed to help children build confidence, develop social and emotional skills, and establish a strong foundation for lifelong learning, all within the welcoming community of the YMCA.

Helping guide that experience is Early Education Center Director, Margo LoSardo.

Subscribe

Bringing years of experience directing preschools in Manhattan and a passion for supporting children and families, Margo leads the program with a focus on creating an environment where children can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. As a mother of three, she understands firsthand the importance of high-quality early childhood experiences and the trust families place in those who care for their children.

Drawn to Somerset Hills YMCA by its strong sense of community and commitment to supporting the whole child and family, Margo recently sat down with Greater Somerset County YMCA Director of Media & Content Marketing, Jenayah Foster, to discuss what makes Somerset Hills YMCA’s Early Education Center such a special place for children to learn, grow, and belong.

Q: Can you tell us about the Early Education Center at Somerset Hills YMCA?

A: At the Early Education Center, we offer programs for children starting at 6 weeks old through 5 years old. We have an Infants room for ages 6 weeks to 2 years, a Toddlers room for ages 2 to 3, Preschool 1 for ages 3 to 4, and Preschool 2 for ages 4 to 5.

We utilize The Creative Curriculum, which focuses not only on building strong academic foundations, but also on supporting the social and emotional well-being of every child. We want children to be able to identify their feelings, use their voices, and become confident and happy learners.

We also use station-based learning, which allows teachers to support different learning styles so each child can grow and develop in a way that works best for them. Our staff is incredibly caring, collaborative, and dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where children feel supported every day.

Q: What would you tell a family interested in enrolling their child?

A: I always encourage them to give me a call so we can schedule a tour. That gives families the opportunity to see our classrooms, meet our teachers, and get an in-depth understanding of everything we offer.

One thing that makes us unique is that we’re able to utilize the totality of the YMCA. Our PreK-1 and PreK-2 students participate in swimming lessons, which helps them develop aquatic skills and water confidence. We also utilize the gymnastics area, gymnasium, and dance room to provide children with a broad range of engaging activities. For enrollment, families would complete a tour, receive a registration packet, and then we would work toward enrollment for the next available month.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your experience working at the Y?

A: The most rewarding part for me is watching children reach developmental milestones. It’s seeing babies learn to walk; toddlers develop language skills and go from pointing to speaking in sentences or seeing the excitement on a child’s face when they accomplish something independently for the first time.

I also love seeing children gain confidence over time. This year, I had a student who initially only played independently and was very reserved. It took about six months of encouragement, consistency, and support, but recently the child completely came out of their shell. Now they say hello to everyone, ask friends to play, give high fives, and confidently participate in group activities. Watching that transformation was incredibly meaningful and really reminded me how important consistency, patience, and a supportive environment are for young children.

Q: Last year, the Y announced its partnership with The Uncommon Thread (TUT). Can you share more about that collaboration?

A: Our partnership with TUT helps provide additional support, guidance, and resources for families of children who have been diagnosed with autism or may benefit from additional evaluation or support. Through this collaboration, children receiving ABA therapy services through TUT can receive personalized, one-on-one support from a dedicated ABA therapist right within our Early Education Center classrooms while continuing to learn, socialize, and participate alongside their peers. This approach helps children build important communication, social, independence, and learning skills while ensuring they receive the individualized support they need to grow and thrive in a nurturing and inclusive environment.

Q: How is social-emotional learning incorporated into the program?

A: We incorporate social-emotional learning and Sanford Harmony into daily classroom activities by encouraging communication, relationship-building, empathy, and teamwork throughout the day. We use partner activities, classroom discussions, and collaborative play to help children practice listening skills, problem-solving, and respectful interactions with their peers.

One example that stands out involved a student who was initially very shy and hesitant to engage with classmates. Through consistent buddy activities, group conversations, and encouragement, the child gradually became more comfortable participating socially. Over time, we saw a huge increase in confidence, communication, and peer interaction, and it had a very positive impact on both the child and the classroom environment overall.

Q: What has been the most exciting part of stepping into this role, and how has the experience influenced your leadership approach?

A: Stepping into the role has allowed me to lead more confidently and intentionally. It has given me the opportunity to set clear expectations and goals for both our teachers and the school as a whole.

I’m especially excited about continuing to build strong relationships with families and creating a yearly calendar full of engaging activities and events that maximize the school experience for our students. I really want to continue fostering a positive, supportive environment where both children and staff can thrive.

To learn more about Somerset Hills YMCA’s Early Education Center visit, https://www.gscymca.org/child-care-camps/daycare-early-education/