Mini Mountaineers: West Orange Preschool Program Expands

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The following article comes courtesy of a West Orange Patch community member. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

We are thrilled to introduce the West Orange Mini Mountaineers PreSchool, an expanded initiative aimed at providing high-quality preschool education to three and four-year-old residents of West Orange. What sets this program apart is its commitment to making preschool education accessible to all families by offering full-day classes at no cost.

Key Features of the Mini Mountaineers Program:

• Full-Day Preschool at No Cost: Families in West Orange can now enroll their children in a full-day preschool program without the burden of tuition fees. This initiative is a testament to our dedication to fostering early childhood education in our community
• Limited Class Size: To ensure personalized attention and an optimal learning environment, each classroom will have a maximum enrollment of 15 students. This allows for meaningful interactions between students and educators.
• Qualified Teaching Staff: Our classrooms will be led by New Jersey Certified preschool teachers and supported by dedicated teacher assistants. This ensures that your child receives the best possible education and care during their formative years.
• Inclusive Meal Services: To address the nutritional needs of our young learners, we provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks based on income eligibility. This inclusive approach ensures that all students, regardless of financial circumstances, have access to nutritious meals.
• Before and After School Services: For the convenience of working parents, before and after school services are available at each location. Please note that these services come at an additional cost to the parent/guardian.
• Multiple Locations: The Mini Mountaineers Program is not limited to West Orange; we are expanding to new locations in Montclair, Orange, and Livingston. This expansion allows us to reach more families and create a positive impact on early childhood education beyond our immediate community.

Preschool Details

The program offers a minimum of six hours of instruction daily, with varying start and end times (between 8:30 am and 3:30 pm) depending on the location.

Registration for the 2024-2025 school year opens on January 11, 2024.

To enroll in Mini Mountaineers, children must turn three years old by October 1, 2024. Please note that there are no exceptions to this requirement.

Superintendent Hayden Moore shares his excitement about the program's growth: "Expanding our preschool program this year is a testament to our commitment to the educational development of our youngest learners. The Mini Mountaineers Program is a reflection of our dedication to creating a strong foundation for children."

Kalisha Dorlean, Supervisor of Early Childhood, expresses her enthusiasm for the program's expansion: "I am thrilled about the new Mini Mountaineers program and its expansion to additional locations next year. This initiative represents a significant step forward in providing quality early childhood education to our community."

How to Register

If you are interested in registering for the Mini Mountaineers PreSchool, visit www.woboe.org/preschool for more information.

• See Related: West Orange Is Expanding Free Preschool For Upcoming Year

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