About Our School

The Phillipsburg School District, a proud and diverse learning community with a focus on educational excellence and a strong sense of tradition, ensures that all students are engaged in challenging work that empowers them to become confident, contributing members of society.

Our dynamic and dedicated staff ensures all Early Childhood Learning Center students receive quality educational experiences enriched by family and community partnerships. Our early learners are empowered through innovative instruction in nurturing environment to reach their individual potential.

 

Welcome to the Early Childhood Learning Center. We are located on 459 Center Street and offer full-day Kindergarten and Preschool Programs for three and four-year children.

The Early Childhood Program is located in a new building designed to meet the educational needs of our youngest students and to meet “green building” standards. The school contains 32 classrooms, including small group instruction rooms and specialized spaces such as a library media center, a gym, two technology labs, enrichment, and art rooms, two enclosed courtyards, and large outdoor play space. The ECLC includes a large room designated for before and after school child care.

In addition to the eighteen preschool classes located within the Early Childhood Learning Center, community preschool providers, including Head Start and ABC Playschool are also an integral component of our preschool program. These providers offer additional classrooms to provide for our large preschool population and extended care while following the Phillipsburg School District’s designated program, Creative Curriculum. The ECLC offers an enriching and challenging curriculum designed to meet the developmental needs of our youngest students. All content areas are literacy based and focus on rich and authentic themes that capture the imagination and enthusiasm of our learners.

The Preschool work is based on Creative Curriculum, a comprehensive, scientifically based program that has been shown to improve cognitive and social-emotional outcomes in young children. It addresses all areas of development including social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language. The Creative Curriculum shows how to weave components of language and literacy into daily routines, interest areas, studies, and small and large group instructions. An effective and successful preschool program incorporates a quality learning environment, knowledgeable and caring professionals, parent support and involvement, and a research-based curriculum to guide the process.

The Kindergarten school day includes a two-hour literacy block that incorporates guided reading, shared reading and writing, journal writing, read-aloud, and a variety of hands-on activities. The enVision math program consists of a research-based curriculum with authentic activities utilizing a spiral approach starting in kindergarten. Science and social studies curricula utilize high-interest topics infused with literacy. Students also participate in physical education, art, science and language enrichment, library, and technology. The special education and Title I staff provide resources and support in literacy and match by utilizing an in-class model. An extended-year program offers Kindergarten children instructional opportunities during the summer.

Family support services include community outreach, social services, and an active parent involvement program. NORWESCAP Family Success Center of Phillipsburg is located on-site and provides home-school connections, parenting classes, transportation, and links to community resources. Parent involvement opportunities include an active PTO and the employment of a Parent/Community Involvement Specialist.