Preschool

The foundation for reading begins in our classrooms. In PreK 3 and PreK 4, students build early literacy skills through daily Read Alouds, storytelling, rhymes, chants, classroom libraries, name recognition, letter and sound exploration, dictation, drawing and early writing. These experiences strengthen vocabulary, oral language, listening comprehension and confidence, helping children develop the skills and love of books they need to become joyful, capable readers. Our Dean of Curriculum for Early Childhood and Lower School and our literacy specialist work closely with teachers to thoughtfully shape instruction, monitor each child’s development and ensure that students receive the support and challenge they need as they grow.

The foundation for mathematical thinking begins through hands-on exploration, play and everyday classroom experiences. In PreK 3 and PreK 4, students use math manipulatives, unit blocks, games, cooking and classroom routines to count, sort, classify, compare, create patterns and explore numbers, quantities and shapes. As their understanding grows, children begin to recognize and represent numerals, keep track of quantities, explore surveys and graphs and explain their ideas and reasoning. These experiences help students develop number sense, problem-solving skills and the confidence to approach math with curiosity and flexibility.

Our PreK 3 and PreK 4 students experience Art, Music and Movement as part of their regular schedule. In PreK 4, students also begin Spanish. Stevens faculty includes full-time specialists in each field. We follow a seven-day schedule cycle, and each special meets twice per cycle. Do not worry, school is still only on weekdays!

 On average, our teachers and administrators have been part of the Stevens community for over seven years!
 

 Students are greeted each morning by our office manager, early childhood director, and sometimes, our head of school! Our office manager is the first point of contact for visitors and ensures that children are dismissed to their approved pickup person.

 Families can add approved pickup people to their child’s profile in our student information system. These people can be family members, friends or other caregivers.
 

Our nursing team will call a child’s parent/guardian if they become ill during the school day. A parent/guardian or designated caregiver must always be available to pick up the child within one hour. 

Parents/Guardians must indicate on their child’s emergency form any food allergies and speak with their child’s teachers. We have adopted a “nut aware” policy to reduce the risk of exposure to nut allergens in our classrooms. If a student in your child’s class has a food allergy, your teacher will communicate to all families that they should not send any food containing that ingredient to school.

Our youngest learners go outside every day. Students have access to both a public and private park. In the event of inclement weather, our staff ensures that children have adequate movement time indoors.  Not only do children go outside for recess time, they also go outside to support curriculum as they learn about their neighborhood. Visits to the Post Office, supermarket and train station are just a few of the exciting trips that bring learning to life and help build connections with the real world.

In our early childhood program, discipline is grounded in relationships, respect, and the belief that children are capable and competent. When challenging behaviors arise, adults respond with curiosity and empathy, seeking to understand the child's feelings, intentions and unmet needs rather than simply correcting the behavior. By listening carefully, acknowledging emotions and engaging children in problem-solving, educators help children develop self-regulation, empathy and a sense of responsibility within the classroom community. This approach nurtures children's social-emotional well-being while fostering the confidence and skills needed to build positive relationships with others.

Yes! Aftercare is available for all PreK 3 - 8th grade students from 3 - 6 p.m. We also offer over 60 enrichment classes each trimester. Stevens also runs camps year round including one-day mini camps on select cultural observances, during Spring Break and the largest Summer Day Camp in Hudson County. 

Stevens runs camps year round including one-day mini camps on select cultural observances, during Spring Break and the largest Summer Day Camp in Hudson County.