Jefferson Park Preschool was established in 1969 by concerned Elizabeth residents as a private, non-profit organization to provide quality day care for children of working parents.

Accreditation and Staffing

Jefferson Park Preschool is fully accredited and licensed by the State of New Jersey Department of Development. The Executive Director and teachers are fully certified in providing Early Childhood Education curriculum. The staff, in addition to the Executive Director, consists of five teachers, five teacher assistants, wrap-around staff, custodial personnel, one full-time and one part-time Family Worker, administrative staff and consultants providing computer maintenance and grant writing services.

The Program

Our school is open from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday, forty-eight weeks of the year. As part of the New Jersey Abbott program, we work with the Elizabeth Board of Education to provide a full-day, year round accredited academic curriculum for our children and their families, with “wrap-around” service hours enabling working parents to feel secure about their child’s care and well-being.

A Safe and Nurturing Atmosphere

Jefferson Park Preschool offers an excellent learning environment and experiences which allow for the optimum growth of each child on an individual basis. The Center establishes a strong educational base for the child’s elementary school years and enables them to excel in their future endeavors.

The Board of Trustees/Parent Involvement

A volunteer Board of Trustees, the majority of whom are community residents, governs the Center and provides guidance and support to the staff. There is also an active parent group which meets regularly and plans activities that benefit the children and the Center. Representatives of the parent group sit on the Board of Trustees.

 Support and Funding

The school is primarily funded by the State of New Jersey through the Abbott Educational Initiative. The Center has also received funding from the United Way of Greater Union County and the City of Elizabeth Community Development Block Grant program. We also receive contributions from friends of the Center, civic organizations and a few corporate donors. Finally, we receive tuition payments from parents who do not meet the eligibility criteria for free “wrap-around” services that are charged on a sliding scale that keeps their costs affordable.