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Early Childhood Education

The South Orange & Maplewood School District launched its Preschool Program on December 4, 2015, with the opening of the Montrose Early Childhood Center. Initially serving 61 students, Montrose quickly set a new standard for early childhood education in the community. Since then, the program has grown significantly, expanding beyond the District’s own facility to include eight preschool partner sites with a capacity to serve approximately 513 students in the 2025-2026 school year!

Contact

Mr. Leroy Johnson
Director of Early Childhood Education
e: ljohnso3@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext 1843

Mrs. Felicia China-Richardson
Secretary
e: fchina@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext 1843

Our program is built on the foundation of inclusive education, with specialized services designed to support the unique needs of diverse learners. Classrooms are led by a team of highly qualified educators, many holding dual certifications, and supported by dedicated staff who foster a nurturing and engaging environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Instructional coaches play a vital role in reinforcing best practices and providing continuous support to both teachers and students. Our team remains aligned with the rigorous standards set forth by the New Jersey Department of Education, ensuring high-quality instruction across all classrooms.

The District’s leadership continues to champion the growth and evolution of our preschool program, investing in early learning strategies that reflect the ever-changing educational landscape. We are proud to welcome our newest students and families and look forward to supporting their journey from the very beginning.

 

Preschool Tools of the Mind (TOM) Curriculum

Aligned with the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards, TOM is a comprehensive curriculum that presents content in an integrated manner.  Its instructional strategies reflect a combination of student-initiated activities, explicit instruction, individualization through multiple levels of scaffolding (problem-solving through teacher modeling followed by increasingly independent student practice), and the ongoing use of multiple assessment data. Progress reports are shared with parents/guardians three times per year, and parent-teacher conferences are scheduled throughout the year.  Click here to learn more about the TOM Curriculum.

 

Registration

For registration information please click here.