Our Center
Since 1937, Neighborhood House has provided year-round early learning and educational services to underserved children in the Plainfield community. Neighborhood House is fully accredited and each program emphasizes math, science, and problem solving while continuing to foster creativity.
We also offer focused educational programs designed to support and empower our parents and guardians.
Our Mission
The primary mission of Neighborhood House is to positively enhance the lives of children and families in the Plainfield Community and surrounding areas through childcare, social services, and quality education.
Our History
For 82 years, Neighborhood House has provided children in the Plainfield community with a strong academic foundation, personal development, and stability. Neighborhood House first opened its doors in 1937, thanks to the efforts of the Women’s Guild of Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church and Chairwoman Mary Worth.
Neighborhood House was originally housed in Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, but in 1959 the organization purchased and moved into its current primary location on West 4th Street. Since its modest beginnings, the organization has evolved into a full service provider of early learning and education services operating numerous programs at multiple sites for children ages 2 months to 12 years.
Our Accreditations
Neighborhood House is accredited through both the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children; and the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, not-for-profit child and family service and behavioral healthcare accrediting organization. We are rated by New Jersey Grow for our successful completion of the rigorous, research-based Grow NJ Kids quality rating program.
Meet Our Staff
Executive Director
- Carol A. Presley
Admin. Asst. to the Executive Director
- Tanya Noqures
Administrative Staff
- Robin John
Educational Coordinator - Blanca Molina
Intake Coordinator - Laloni DeCosey
Social Service Health Coordinator - Samantha DeHart
Human Resource Coordinator
Family Workers
- Aileen Villar
- Melissa Rojas
- Marcela Harris
- Marcela Salazare
Nutrition Staff
- Vera Perry
Cook
Drivers & Maintenance Staff
- Remberto Gonzalez
Bus Driver - Walter Valaquez
Maintenance
Chaperone
- Dorletha Hall
Education Staff
Our qualified and professional teaching staff brings years of dedication and Early Childhood Education experience to the classroom.
Qualifications
Preschool Lead Teachers in our Board of Education contracted classrooms have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and are state certified for NJ Preschool through 3rd grade. Infant & Toddler instructional staff have a minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
Each program and classroom are staffed by at least one bilingual (English and Spanish) instructional staff member. All staff is CPR trained and certified.
Training
All staff is required to complete a minimum of 25 hours of annual professional development in the areas of Curriculum, Child Development, and Health and Safety.
Curriculum
Neighborhood House Infant Toddler and Preschool programs follow the High Scope curriculum, which is a research based curriculum that promotes active learning and focuses on children’s strengths. Our excellent teachers support and guide children to explore, interact, and exercise their creative imagination through purposeful play.
The High Scope Preschool Curriculum focuses on learning in 8 content areas:
- Approaches to learning
- Social emotional development
- Physical development and health
- Language, literacy, and communication
- Mathematics
- Creative Arts
- Science and Technology
- Social Studies
To create a consistent and active learning environment, teachers arrange and equip the classroom with diverse, open-ended materials that reflect children’s homes, cultures, and languages. The room is organized into learning/interest areas and labeled to promote independence and encourage children to carry out their intentions.
Neighborhood House provides a continuum of care for children from 2 months to 12 years of age, from Infant & Toddler to School Age. Since 1991, all Infant & Toddler and Preschool programs have been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). After School and Summer Camp programs are accredited by the Council on Accreditation. One of only 3 programs to be rated in Plainfield by New Jersey Grow, Neighborhood house has achieved a 4-star rating.
Infant & Toddler
Under the care and guidance of specially-trained teachers, children ages 2 months to 2.5 years are guided in the development of their motor, language, self-help, and social skills.
Neighborhood House has one of the largest infant toddler programs in the city of Plainfield, providing care for approximately 60 children in 6 Infant & Toddler classrooms. Teachers provide a nurturing environment and quality early care and education to support babies’ individual development.
Preschool
Our preschool offers a full academic curriculum for children ages 3 to 5 including language arts, math, science, technology, arts and crafts, social studies, gym, and health and safety.
Summer Camp
This 8-week camp for children ages 5 to 12 combines education and fun. Activities include swimming, tennis, educational field trips, overnight camping, and more.
After School
Our After School program provides educational enrichment, academic support, sports and recreation, arts and crafts, and personal development to elementary students ages 5 to 12 attending Plainfield public school. We also provide specialized programming like the Girls Who Code program.
After School hours are from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., however, when schools are closed, our After School program operates a full day schedule from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Philosophy
Neighborhood House understands that the early years of development can be catalytic in a child’s life. We create a secure and nurturing environment where children develop through guided instruction, educational activity, and dynamic play.
Neighborhood House cultivates each child’s unique learning aptitude through interactive engagement and targeted age appropriate activity. We work to instill self esteem building tools in our programs so our children can continue their education with confidence.
Neighborhood House teaches children to love learning by providing them with innovative cognitive development, self-help, and social skills that enable them to develop a secure sense of independence. We also generate experiences that will stimulate their growth in the areas of math, science, art, problem solving, and large and small motor development.
Neighborhood House partners with parents to make their children’s transition into a new and exciting learning environment as successful as possible. For example, we offer programs and activities where parents can spend time in the classroom with their children because when the parent and teacher can work together as a team, the child wins. We encourage teamwork because it creates security for the child and allows for a developmentally appropriate learning experience through a creative, relaxed environment.
Neighborhood House cares about serving the whole child; therefore, a comprehensive health program, which includes vision, hearing, speech, height, and weight screenings, is integrated into our services.