From the Director

Director’s Message

Dear Parents,

On behalf of the Union City Day Care Program staff, it is my pleasure to welcome you to another school year at the Union City Day Care, Union City Early Childhood Learning Center, and Le Petit Jardin (PLP Program)! For over 40 years, we have been dedicated to providing exceptional care and education for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. Our centers celebrate cultural diversity and offer a nurturing educational environment with activities tailored to each child's developmental stage. Our passionate, caring, and committed staff strive to help each child achieve their potential—academically, socially, and emotionally—while discovering their unique talents and encouraging them to make a positive impact on the world.

Throughout the academic year, teachers will send home updates via class newsletters or notes detailing what the children have learned, future learning objectives, weekly themes, homework assignments, and information about classroom activities and events. Each teacher maintains a library of books available for parents and children to enjoy together. We encourage you to communicate with teachers regarding any interests, concerns, or questions you may have. They will be providing all parents with their contact details for ongoing communication.

The Union City Day Care Program is also committed to the well-being of our families. Our family workers are ready to act as liaisons, establishing strong home-school connections with our school community's parents. They are available to help families access community resources that support their needs. We invite you to call or schedule an appointment with a family worker to explore the resources and information available for parents.

Additionally, please be mindful of the important holidays listed in our school calendar and mark them accordingly. Teachers will inform parents of any classroom celebrations through newsletters, notes sent home, or electronic communication. Where possible, limited celebrations will be organized outdoors with opportunities for parent involvement.

Moreover, our ongoing commitment to preventing the spread of infections like influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 remains a high priority. At the Union City Day Care Program centers, we persistently:

    1. Ensure thorough and ongoing disinfection and sanitization of our facilities.

    2. Enforce mandatory flu vaccinations and encourage RSV and COVID-19 vaccinations.

    3. Require staff and students to stay home when ill.

    4. Continually improve the ventilation systems in our centers.

    5. Promote consistent and meticulous handwashing practices.

As part of the New Jersey Department of Health At-Home COVID-19 Testing Distribution Program, we offer free COVID-19 test kits to any child displaying symptoms or exposed to the virus. For additional information on respiratory illnesses, please refer to the CDC's dedicated webpage: www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/index.html

It is crucial that we all adhere to state and local health and safety guidelines to ensure our children have a safe and enriching school year.

We are eager to collaborate with you to create a nurturing social and educational environment for your child. Should you need any assistance, feel free to reach out to us at 201-348-2754 during school hours.

Kind regards,

Katia Stack, M.Ed.