True to Your School

One thing's for certain - Patch readers love their preschools.

The great teachers, nurturing environment, creative play, and and positive experience children have came through as throngs of readers came out to vote and comment on their schools.

Readers in the Caldwells took it personally and rallied to vote each day of our weeklong contest.

Their favorite preschool is , located at 20 Academy Road in Caldwell. With a total of 2,300 votes cast in the , the preschool program at the synagogue, outpaced runner-up in West Caldwell.

Congregation Agudath Israel Nursery School tailors activities to address specific needs of each child. Physical, social, emotional and intellectual development is nurtured in a stimulating environment through programs designed to provide age-appropriate experiences and Jewish awareness.

In Montclair, the Other popular preschools included the and the

The Montclair Community Pre-K came into being after the township council formed the Montclair Early Childhood Corporation (MECC) in 1997 with an eye towards continuing the public school system's preschool program when the public school system could no longer offer it. With at least a dozen bright classrooms designed for young children, the school seeks to prepare 4 year olds for kindergarten.

The school is located at 49 Orange Road and more information about the popular institution and its programs can be found here.

The Community School of Nutley is the choice from among 12 preschools in Belleville and Nutley. The school is part of Vincent Church. School officials said the Community School of Nutley is dedicated to the highest quality childcare and education for young children. The school has been open since 1967. The curriculum includes art, language, music, social studies, math and social skills, according to officials.

Aquinas Academy Early Childhood Center in Livingston, a preschool associated with St. Philomena Parish, is situated on a large wooded campus behind the church. The preschool's goal is to create an environment that fosters growth and helps each child realize his or her full potential. It also combines traditional and innovative teaching methods. Readers chose Temple Beth Shalom preschool, 193 E. Mount Pleasant Ave. as their runner-up

The Children’s House in Verona, which is part of the Verona Methodist Church was selected by readers in Verona and Cedar Grove. The Children's House, located at 26 Montrose Ave. in Verona, is a Montessori pre-school that offers both half and full-day nursery school and kindergarten programs for children age two to six. 

Readers had a lot to say about another favorite pre-school, St. Peter's Nursery School in Essex Fells, which drew praise from parents as well.

In the Millburn, South Orange, and Maplewood area - the overall winner was the in Millburn.

"My children have all attended the Hedwig Gruenewald Early Childcare Center at Congregation B'nai Israel. It is the warmest, friendliest most supportive place I've ever seen. My kids have all loved going to preschool. They do a great job," wrote in Parent Ariel Dybner.

Other top vote getters were ; The ; , South Orange;  Millburn; ; , South Orange;  , Millburn.

Parents from Our Lady of Sorrows Preschool said they loved the environment there and the convenience of dropping off their older children to school at the same location.