For more details on the programs, please scroll down. You may also jump directly to a specific aspect by clicking the following links:

Eligibility : Schedule : Tuition
Accreditation : Curriculum : Learning Centers
Instruction Setup : Students with Disabilities
Growth Opportunities : Extracurricular Activities
Non-Discrimination Policy

• Eligibility: The preschool program is offered to children aged 3 to 5.
  
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• Schedule: The program runs from September through June of each year. Students attend a half-day program, either in the morning between 8:30-11:00 a.m. or in the afternoon between 12:00-2:30 p.m.
  
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• Tuition: Tuition for the program is collected based on a sliding income scale. Scholarships may be available to qualifying students through a partnership with Project Acorn, a private organization that funds quality preschool education for the area's children of working families in need.
  
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• Accreditation: The preschool is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the “gold standard” (Parents Magazine) in early education programs. Less than 5% of preschools in New Jersey and less than 10% of preschools across the nation attain NAEYC accreditation.
  
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• Curriculum: The school's state-approved, research-based curriculum follows the Creative Curriculum model (Diane Trister Dodge and Laura J. Colker). A constructivist, child-centered classroom environment features learning centers and a mixture of student-directed and teacher directed activities.
  
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• Learning Centers: Reading, Writing, Dramatic Play, Blocks, Listening, Math & Manipulatives, Science Discovery, Art, Sand & Water, Outdoor Play, and an Environmental Center, as well as a quiet area.
  
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• Instruction Setup: Whole group instruction takes place, along with small group instruction and child-initiated activities in learning centers. Low staff-to-student ratios enable El Primer Paso's students to benefit from a wealth of English language acquisition opportunities in a language- and print-rich environment.
  
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• Students with Disabilities: The program is committed to meeting the needs of all learners, including children with learning difficulties, working with local school districts and Family Service of Morris County to provide evaluation, referrals and services as needed for children and families.
  
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• Growth Opportunities: Every child will have a myriad of opportunities in multiple areas of learning, including: social/emotional development, health, safety and physical education, creative arts, language arts literacy, mathematics, science, social studies and world languages.
  
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• Extracurricular Activities: Offsite field trips are part of the program for four-year-olds, and varied opportunities for parent and family involvement in the school's activities abound.
  
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• Non-Discrimination Policy: El Primer Paso, Ltd. admits students of any ability, race, religion, national or ethnic origin with all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. In the administration of its educational programs and/or any other school administered programs, El Primer Paso does not discriminate on the basis of ability, race, religion, national or ethnic origin.
  
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