Dear Parents/Guardians 

Welcome to Jackson Township  Preschool Program. The Preschool Program prepares students for life-long learning.  Jackson’s preschool classrooms utilize Creative Curriculum aligned with New Jersey’s Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards(2014) and Preschool Classroom Teaching Guidelines (2019 updated).  

Preschoolers will come together in an inclusive classroom where language, cognitive, social-emotional and physical skills will be developed in a nurturing environment.  Our program encourages student leadership opportunities, supported by differentiated instruction. All children are encouraged to participate in-group activities, as well as make independent choices for their learning. 

Creative Curriculum framework embeds 36 learning objectives into Unit of Studies through center based exploration of learning.  Based on a developmentally appropriate Unit of Studies, staff guide students to explore and develop skills to work independently, in groups and take on leadership roles.  Units of study will be communicated with families to encourage family involvement through Teaching Strategies Family App.

The Teaching Strategies Family App helps build connections with your child’s teachers and caregivers through clear and meaningful two-way communication streams. Stay connected to the learning that is taking place in your child’s classroom with multimedia-playlists, engaging activities, and two-way messaging with your child’s teacher.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) will be highlighted daily through the Creative Curriculum, *Pyramid Model and various resources.   Social skills are explicitly taught and practiced throughout the day.  Areas of focus will include the following: friendship skills, emotional literacy & competencies, and problem solving skills.

The Preschool  Program is staffed with New Jersey State certified teachers who are assisted by teacher aides.  Together, these professionals provide a safe and effective learning environment, which embraces the best practices (Preschool Program Implementation Guidelines [2015]) in early childhood education.

 Full day preschool program  will provide children with the opportunity for lunch and a rest period.

*The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices for promoting young children's healthy social and emotional development.

Jackson School District  receives state preschool expansion aid to support continued growth in the preschool program. New Jersey’s High-Quality Preschool Program (N.J.A.C 6A:13A) code provides  planning and implementation guidance for preschool programming. Eligibility and enrollment for student placement in the district’s preschool program must meet the following three criteria to be eligible and enrolled in a preschool classroom.

1. Residency: resident of Jackson Township

2. Age Eligibility: three and four year-old children as of October 1, 2023

3. Attendance: present 90%  or more of the days “in membership” at a school. (“In membership” means enrolled in the school program.) (Department of Education-Early Childhood-Advisory Preschool Attendance, 2019)