FAQs

The age requirements for Ellie’s Academy vary depending on the program. We offer programs for infants as young as six weeks old, as well as programs for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children up to 12 years old. Please contact us to learn more about the specific age requirements for each program.

At Ellie’s Academy, we implement the HighScope Curriculum, which is a comprehensive and research-based curriculum that is designed to promote active learning and support children’s development across all domains. The HighScope Curriculum is aligned with state and national standards and is based on the latest research in early childhood education. It emphasizes hands-on learning, active exploration, and child-initiated play, which have been shown to be effective in promoting children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Our teachers are trained in the HighScope approach and work closely with each child to ensure that they are making progress and reaching their full potential.

At Ellie’s Academy, we maintain a low teacher-to-student ratio to ensure that each child receives individualized attention and support. The specific ratio varies depending on the age of the children and the program, but we generally aim to have one teacher for every four to six children in our infant and toddler programs, and one teacher for every ten to twelve children in our preschool and pre-kindergarten programs. This allows our teachers to get to know each child and their unique needs and interests, and to provide personalized instruction and guidance.

At Ellie’s Academy, we strive to create a daily schedule that promotes a balance of learning and play, while also meeting the individual needs of each child. Our daily schedule includes a variety of activities that promote social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

We believe that children learn best when they are engaged, motivated, and supported. Our daily schedule is designed to provide children with a variety of experiences that promote learning, exploration, and social-emotional development. If you have any further questions about our daily schedules for a specific age-group, please do not hesitate to contact us.

At Ellie’s Academy, we offer a range of programs and tuition rates to meet the needs of different families. The cost of tuition varies depending on the age of the child, the program, and the number of days per week that the child attends. We also offer part-time and full-time options to accommodate different schedules. Please contact us to learn more about our tuition rates and to discuss your specific needs. We would be happy to provide you with more information and to answer any questions you may have.

At Ellie’s Academy, we understand that early childhood education is a significant investment for families, which is why we partner with State-run programs who offer financial assistance to eligible families. We believe that every child deserves access to high-quality early childhood education, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. We encourage families to contact us to learn more about financial assistance.

At Ellie’s Academy, we believe in using positive guidance and redirection to promote positive behavior and prevent challenging behaviors. We strive to create a safe, nurturing, and respectful learning environment where children feel valued, supported, and encouraged to learn and grow. Our teachers use positive reinforcement and praise to encourage positive behavior, and they work closely with each child to identify and address any challenges or concerns. We believe in teaching children social-emotional skills, problem-solving skills, and conflict resolution skills, which will help them navigate the world around them.

Our teachers use positive guidance techniques such as modeling, coaching, and reinforcing positive behavior. We believe that children learn best when they feel safe, respected, and valued, and we strive to create a learning environment that promotes these values. If you have any further questions about our discipline policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.

At Ellie’s Academy, the health and safety of our children, families, and staff are our top priorities. We follow strict policies and procedures to prevent the spread of illness and maintain a healthy learning environment for all children. We follow the guidelines set forth by the New Jersey Department of Health and Office of Licensing to determine when a child is well enough to return to school.

If a child becomes ill while at school, we will notify the parent or guardian immediately and ask that they come to pick up the child as soon as possible. We will provide a quiet, comfortable space for the child to rest until they are picked up.

At Ellie’s Academy, we believe that healthy eating habits are an essential part of a child’s development, and we encourage children to make healthy food choices. We ask parents to provide nutritious meals and snacks to children that meet or exceed the USDA guidelines for child nutrition.

We work closely with families to accommodate any dietary restrictions or allergies that their child may have. We ask that parents or guardians inform us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions that their child may have, so that we can ensure that their nutritional needs are met.

If you have any further questions about our policies and procedures related to food and snacks, please do not hesitate to contact us.

At Ellie’s Academy, we believe that parent involvement and communication are essential for a child’s development and success. We value open and honest communication between our staff and families and encourage parents to be actively involved in their child’s learning experience.

We provide parents with daily updates on their child’s activities, progress, and achievements through various communication channels such as email, phone calls, or text messages. We also hold regular parent-teacher conferences to discuss the child’s development, goals, and areas of improvement.

We encourage parents to participate in school events, such as field trips, classroom parties, and family fun nights. We also welcome parents to volunteer in the classroom or share their expertise with the children.

We believe that by working together, we can create a supportive and nurturing learning environment that promotes the child’s growth and development. If you have any further questions about our policies and procedures related to parent involvement and communication, please do not hesitate to contact us.

At Ellie’s Academy, we believe that regular communication between teachers and parents is essential for a child’s development and success. We provide parents with daily updates on their child’s activities, progress, and achievements through various communication channels such as email, phone calls, or text messages.

We use a mobile app called HiMama to keep parents informed about their child’s daily activities. Parents receive updates throughout the day, including photos, videos, and messages from their child’s teacher. Parents can also use the app to communicate with their child’s teacher, ask questions, and share information about their child’s needs or interests.

We also hold regular parent-teacher conferences to discuss the child’s development, goals, and areas of improvement. During these conferences, teachers share detailed information about the child’s progress, strengths, and areas for growth. Parents are encouraged to ask questions and share their perspectives on their child’s development.

At Ellie’s Academy, we believe in the importance of outdoor play and exploration for children’s physical, social, and emotional development. We encourage children to spend time outside every day, weather permitting. The frequency of outdoor play depends on several factors, such as the age of the children, the time of year, and the weather conditions. Generally, children at our facility spend between 30 minutes to one hour outside each day, weather permitting. In case of extreme weather conditions, such as very hot or very cold temperatures, we take extra precautions to ensure the safety and comfort of our students and follow the guidelines issued by the Office of Licensing.

In addition, we use newsletters, calendars, and other forms of written communication to keep parents informed about upcoming events, school policies, and other important information. We value open and honest communication and encourage parents to share their feedback and concerns with us at any time.

If your child is injured while at Ellie’s Academy, we will take immediate action to ensure their safety and well-being. Our staff are trained in first aid and CPR, and we have first aid kits and emergency supplies on hand at all times.

If the injury is minor, we will provide appropriate first aid and notify you of the incident as soon as possible. If the injury is more serious, we will take appropriate action, which may include calling emergency services or transporting the child to a medical facility.

We will also document the incident and provide you with a detailed report of what happened, the actions we took, and any follow-up steps that may be necessary.

Our top priority is always the safety and well-being of our students, and we take every precaution to prevent accidents and injuries from occurring. If you have any specific concerns or questions about our safety policies and procedures, please do not hesitate to contact us.

At Ellie’s Academy, the safety and security of our students is our top priority. In case of an emergency, our teachers and staff are trained to respond quickly and effectively to ensure the safety of all students.

Our emergency procedures include regular drills and exercises to prepare students and staff for different types of emergencies, such as fires, severe weather, or intruders. During these drills, students learn the appropriate actions to take in case of an emergency, such as evacuating the building or seeking shelter. And in case of a medical emergency, our teachers and staff are trained in first aid and CPR.

We have established communication protocols in place to ensure that parents are informed in case of an emergency. We use HiMama to send emergency notifications and updates to parents, as well as to provide regular updates on the situation.