More Than a Daycare

We embrace and celebrate the fact that children learn best in an environment where they can be themselves. With an understanding of the developmental ranges in early childhood, our thoughtfully curated classrooms provide differentiated learning opportunities in math, literacy, science/exploration and social-emotional development. Students interact with building blocks, artistic tools, scientific equipment, and other hands-on materials to explore and create with each day. Play, exploration, wonder and joyful discoveries are our guiding principles. 

Our expert faculty and staff consistently use formative assessment techniques and intentional teaching practices to ensure that we understand how our students learn best and that our curriculum meets their individual needs. For example, a name study is much more than a simple literacy and social studies project. It helps us grasp the extent to which students have explored their identities, begun to recognize letters within their names, and developed the language skills necessary to engage in group conversations about names and how they contribute to our identities.

Our Early Childhood division nurtures our youngest learners and guides every decision made about learning experiences, curriculum, enrichment activities and extracurriculars. With more than 20 afterschool enrichment programs per trimester, differentiated small group instructional times, and specials such as Art, Music and Movement, we build the foundation children need for success on their journeys as students and individuals in Lower and Middle School.

Our youngest students regularly interact with our oldest – an experience that begins with Reading Buddies. Pairs of students across grade levels meet throughout the year to read together, share stories and talk about their lives. Younger students build confidence around their older peers and new friendships emerge. They even stop by to cheer on our Spartan athletes who compete in events in 3rd grade and up, helping foster school spirit.

Life at Stevens is a year-round experience, so you’ll never have to worry about Afterschool or Summer programming for your Early Childhood learner. Standard aftercare, where your child will enjoy board games, outside time, LEGOs and more, is available every day throughout the school year, with childcare as late as 6 p.m., or you can choose from our wide variety of enrichment classes. Whether your child is an emerging artist, the next star athlete or an explorer of all things STEM, our Afterschool enrichment programs offer something for everyone. We also offer Early Morning care, free of charge, from 7:45 to 8 a.m., Monday through Friday.

Once the school year concludes, it’s time for Summer Camp @ Stevens Cooperative, the largest day camp in Hudson County! PreK 3 - Kindergarten students may attend camp at either of our campuses, and aftercare is available until 6 p.m.. Sign-up is week-to-week to accommodate your summer schedules, and Early Childhood campers can choose to attend Traditional Camp or any of our Enrichment Camps, like Sports Superstars, Storytime Theater, and Master Chef Jr.!
 

At Stevens, we believe students learn best when they have a sense of social stability and emotional resilience, which is why social-emotional learning is deeply embedded in our values, mission and history.

In our Early Childhood classrooms, we model and practice making friends, showing empathy and working together. There is a deep commitment to establishing a classroom community of students who feel valued, respected, and supported . Students nurture their unique sources of pride and confidence, and we help them notice and express how they’re feeling, as well as how to make space for those feelings. As they progress through Kindergarten, we help them develop behaviors that will prepare them to make the moral and ethical decisions they’ll encounter throughout their lives.

Stevens is built on a simple, but powerful idea: Deep family engagement leads to high student achievement. Your family, your child and the school all benefit from this strong partnership.

The school was founded by parents who approached education together. We are the oldest cooperative school in New Jersey and one of the largest in the United States. 

Every family chooses a Cooperative job, elects Board members and votes on amendments to the school’s bylaws. And every family has the chance to partake in one of our most beloved traditions, Helping Parent/Guardian Days, where they can join the classroom and share something special with the class.

We believe that students succeed in bold, safe environments where they can build the confidence to be themselves. At Stevens, this starts with school safety. From faculty training for responding to a variety of scenarios to a full-time nursing team, our team is equipped to respond quickly and effectively during challenging moments.

We also provide the safety necessary for personal development. Stevens is a place where everyone is empowered, embraced and celebrated for who they are. We provide students, faculty, staff and families with the resources, tools and opportunities needed to think deeply, act ethically and lead by 
example.