School Superintendent Visits Preschool

Jennifer Cenatiempo visited the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center

Lafayette Township School Superintendent Jennifer Cenatiempo recently visited the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center to read several books to the children as part of the school’s Celebrity Reader program.  The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center is operated by Project Self-Sufficiency, a local non-profit agency which offers a wide variety of services to families in northwestern New Jersey.  “Having grown up in Ogdensburg, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Ogdensburg Elementary School and Wallkill Valley High School.  Both of these amazing schools provided me with early opportunities to develop a passion for reading that has continued into my adult life,” explained Cenatiempo.  “Today I have the opportunity to share that love of literacy in my role as Lafayette Township School Superintendent with my students. It was a true joy being invited to read to the preschool learners at Project Self Sufficiency. With wide smiles on their faces, the children were excited to listen to the stories of silly bunnies and magical shapes.  It was a wonderful experience for all as we shared the gift of a good book! “

Little Sprouts Early Learning Center features separate classrooms for each age group, from infancy through preschool.  Fully-qualified teachers are available in each school room and the child-teacher ratio adheres to or exceeds state standards.  Each classroom has new equipment, as well as learning centers for dramatic play, computers, science, housekeeping, 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.

Little Sprouts Early Learning Center offers space for 83 youngsters, ages 6 weeks to 6 years.  Free preschool is available for Newton residents ages 3 – 4; students must have turned 3 years old by October 1, 2018.    All types of subsidized daycare are accepted, including New Jersey Cares for Kids and Work First New Jersey.  The center also offers the National School Lunch Program, providing nutritionally-balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day.  The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  For more information visit the center’s website, www.littlesproutsearlylearningcenter.org or call 973-940-3540.