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Welcome to Department of Early Childhood Education

100 Days of School at School 2

Department Overview

The Department of Early Childhood Education welcomes you to our preschool community!

The foundation of this Department lies with practices that are aligned to our District’s Strategic Plan: “Bright Futures”, the “NJ Teaching and Learning Standards for Preschool” and “The Creative Curriculum for Preschool”.  Our efforts are based on high expectations for the preschool population in preparation for academic success in future grades.

Our children benefit when families, schools, and communities invest in the preschool program.  The Department of Early Childhood Education works in collaboration with Community Preschool Providers as well as In-district Public Schools.  The Department of Early Childhood will work with all stakeholders to ensure that our preschool program meets the diverse needs of our children as well as provides a high quality preschool experience.

In order for children to have a meaningful experience in preschool, they must attend school every day. As we work together to provide the best preschool experience for our children, please ensure that your child is on time, present and prepared for school every day.

Parent and Community Involvement

The Department of Early Childhood’s objective is to empower families by providing experiences and activities which support and enhance the parental role as the principal influence on their child’s education. Staffing for the program includes: family workers, school social workers, and a supervisor of parent and community involvement.

The Department of Early Childhood recognizes the importance of partnerships with families. There are family workers assigned to each family to provide support and meet their needs. The family worker assists parents in accessing local resources ranging from health care, medical insurance, social service agencies, legal services, housing, and mental health services.

The family workers are key in developing programs and activities that increase parental involvement. Interventions include but are not limited to providing educational workshops and opportunities for parents to volunteer or assume other participatory roles within the child care center.

Additional Resources

ECE Curriculum

The Creative Curriculum is a research-based comprehensive curriculum which was adopted by the Paterson Department of Early Childhood as the curriculum to guide our 3 and 4 year old students.

ECE Curriculum

Preschool

The Paterson Public Schools district is committed to providing the children in Paterson with the highest quality and most comprehensive early childhood educational experiences.

Preschool

Nancy Aguado-Holtje

Director of Early Childhood Education
973-321-2253
FAX 973-321-0455
nholtje@paterson.k12.nj.us


Lillian Lopez

Supervisor of Early Childhood Programs, Master Teachers
973-321-2228
lopezec@paterson.k12.nj.us


Rashanda Clark

Supervisor of Early Childhood Programs
973-321-0438
FAX 973-321-2254
rclark@paterson.k12.nj.us


Patricia Marin

Supervisor of Early Childhood Programs
973-321-2239
FAX 973-321-2254
pmarin@paterson.k12.nj.us


Stephanie Wright

Supervisor of Early Childhood Programs
973-321-2258
FAX 973-321-2254
swright@paterson.k12.nj.us


Gisela Cuello

Early Childhood Coordinator of Operations
973-321-2437
FAX 973-321-2254
gcuello@paterson.k12.nj.us


Juan Ferres

Preschool Enrollment Specialist
973-321-0674
jferres@paterson.k12.nj.us


Shirlane Smith

Preschool Enrollment Assistant
973-321-1000 ext. 23133
ssmith@paterson.k12.nj.us


Debra Drobenak

Coordinator of Early Childhood Programs
973-321-2217
FAX 973-321-2254
ddrobe@paterson.k12.nj.us


Cory Fronte

Data Management Specialist
973-321-0547
FAX 973-321-0455
fronte@paterson.k12.nj.us


Nicholas Flattery

Special Funding Program Advisor
973-321-0451
FAX 973-321-0455
nflattery@paterson.k12.nj.us