The Best Daycare Centers in Essex Fells, NJ
Discover the best licensed daycare centers in Essex Fells. Quality childcare with qualified staff and safe environments.
Top Daycare Centers in Essex Fells
The Goddard School
Goddard Systems, Inc.
The Goddard School in West Orange serves Essex Fells families with a comprehensive F.L.EX.® Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience) that balances academic readiness with social-emotional development. Their play-based curriculum includes STEAM learning, language arts, and character development. Certified teachers lead small classes with low student-teacher ratios, and the facility features secure entry systems, age-appropriate playgrounds, and bright, modern classrooms. The school emphasizes communication through daily activity reports and parent portals, and offers enrichment programs including yoga, music, and foreign language exposure.
Daycare Services:
Bright Horizons at West Orange
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Bright Horizons at West Orange provides premium early education with a research-based curriculum that supports developmental milestones from infancy through preschool. Their World at Their Fingertips approach integrates literacy, mathematics, science, and creative arts through hands-on learning. The center features secure, technology-enhanced facilities with dedicated infant rooms, toddler exploration areas, and preschool learning centers. All lead teachers hold degrees in early childhood education, and the center maintains enhanced health and safety protocols including rigorous cleaning procedures and secure check-in systems.
Daycare Services:
The Learning Experience - Roseland
The Learning Experience
The Learning Experience in Roseland offers a proprietary L.E.A.P.® (Learning Experience Academic Program) curriculum that combines academic preparation with social skills development. Their programs include early literacy, mathematics, and their signature philanthropy curriculum that teaches children the value of giving back. The center features state-of-the-art security systems, including keypad entry and surveillance cameras, along with spacious indoor play areas and outdoor playgrounds. Their staff includes certified early childhood educators who receive ongoing professional development, and parents receive regular updates through the center's mobile app with photos and daily reports.
Daycare Services:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about daycare and childcare services in Essex Fells, NJ
What are the typical costs for full-time infant daycare in Essex Fells, NJ, and what factors influence the price?
In Essex Fells and the surrounding Essex County area, full-time infant daycare is among the most expensive childcare options. Parents can expect to pay an average of $1,600 to $2,200 per month. The specific cost is influenced by several factors: the type of facility (a nationally accredited center vs. a licensed in-home provider), the staff-to-child ratio, the inclusion of amenities like organic meals or a specialized curriculum, and the exact location within the borough. Given Essex Fells' reputation as an affluent suburb, prices tend to be at the higher end of the spectrum. It's important to note that these costs are generally in line with, or slightly above, the New Jersey state average for infant care.
Are there any licensed in-home daycare providers within Essex Fells itself, or will I need to look in neighboring towns?
Due to Essex Fells being a very small residential borough (just over 2,100 residents), there are extremely few, if any, licensed in-home daycare providers operating within the municipal boundaries. Your search will almost certainly need to extend to the surrounding communities. Neighboring towns like Caldwell, West Caldwell, Roseland, and Verona typically have a higher concentration of both licensed family childcare homes and larger daycare centers. The New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) Division of Child Care Services maintains an online search tool where you can filter by zip code and type of license to find approved providers in these adjacent areas.
How long are the waitlists for reputable daycare centers near Essex Fells, and when should I start looking?
Waitlists for highly-regarded daycare centers in the Caldwells, West Essex, and Montclair areas are notoriously long, especially for infant rooms. It is not uncommon for waitlists to be 6 to 12 months, and sometimes longer. For parents expecting a child, the best practice is to begin touring facilities and getting on waitlists during the second trimester of pregnancy. Be prepared to pay a non-refundable waitlist fee (typically $50-$150). When contacting centers, ask specific questions about their list: Is it by age group? How often do they update families on their position? What is their typical turnover rate for the infant room? Starting early is the single most important strategy for securing a spot.
What are the state licensing requirements for daycare staff in New Jersey that I should be aware of when evaluating a center?
New Jersey has strict licensing regulations overseen by the DCF. Key requirements for center-based staff that you can verify include: **Background Checks:** All staff must undergo comprehensive national criminal history and child abuse record checks. **Qualifications:** Lead teachers must have a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or an Associate's/Bachelor's degree in early childhood education. **Training:** All staff must complete training in CPR/First Aid, prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and mandated reporter training for child abuse/neglect. **Ratios:** For infants (under 18 months), the ratio is 1 staff member to 4 children. A reputable center in Essex County will readily discuss their staff qualifications and compliance with these state standards.
Besides traditional daycare centers, what are the alternative childcare options available to Essex Fells families?
Essex Fells families often utilize a mix of options. **Nanny Shares:** Partnering with one or two other local families to hire a shared nanny is a popular and cost-effective solution in this community. **Preschools with Extended Care:** Many local preschools (e.g., in Caldwell, Verona) offer core half-day programs with optional "extended day" care, which can cover a full workday for older toddlers and preschoolers. **Part-Time Programs:** Some churches and community centers in neighboring towns offer morning-only nursery programs, which can be combined with a part-time babysitter. Finally, exploring **employer-sponsored dependent care FSAs** can provide significant tax advantages to help offset the high cost of any option you choose.