News - Child Care

Life can be very hectic for working parents of school-age children, and for many the most challenging time comes when the school bell signals the close of the day. The time when mothers did not work and were home to greet their youngsters after school are long gone. Today in most families dads and moms work most times beyond the school day or they have other obligations.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen joined with child care providers across the nation to celebrate the Week of the Young Child from April 4th to April 8th. Week of the Young Child is a program run by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It takes place every year in April and brings focus to young children, their families and the childhood programs that they need.

Bridgewater Fun! Door decorations! Everyone had a great time decorating for the holidays. Click on the link to see all the pictures!

YES Early Learning Centers in New Brunswick got into the Christmas Spirit!

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s Child Care Program was honored at SobelCo’s Executive Women’s Leadership event.

It was a typical, bustling morning at the Catholic Charities YES Early Learning Center in New Brunswick on November 16th. Staff members were welcoming the preschoolers and their families as they arrived to school and settled into their educational day. As the children finished entering the Center and families went off to start their day, the doorbell rang at the main entrance. One of the Learning Center’s Family Workers greeted a man at the door. He stated that he wanted to make a donation to the Center to benefit the students and their families. Speechless by this unexpected act of generosity, the Family Worker looked down to the man’s hands to find three envelopes totaling $900.00 in cash. The man would not share his name and did not want recognition! Astonished by the man’s kindness, the Family Worker thanked him as he walked away. The money donated will go directly to the families in the form of gift cards to purchase holiday meal items and needed groceries. As we enter the season for giving, this generous man reminds us that “Giving is not just about making a donation; it’s about making a difference.” Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen Child Care typically serves over 1400 children, preschool to school age throughout several counties in New Jersey. Over 145 preschoolers attend the YES Early Learning Center located in New Brunswick on a daily basis. To learn more about Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen and Child Care please visit our website: www.ccdom.org/child-care

Students from the World Language Honor Societies from Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung recently hosted a diaper drive to benefit Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s New Brunswick childcare programs and Unity Square Neighborhood.   Senior students from the Mount Language Honor Societies used their talents to create a video (https://vimeo.com/473424318 ) to promote the diaper drive.  The drive was extended due to the large response from Mt Saint Mary Academy families.  

Cadets from Civil Air patrol Squadron led by 1Lt Carol-Faaland-Kronmaier, CAP Deputy Commander for Cadets, and Major Lorrainne Denby team up with Dr. Sarah Shell to provide masks for healthcare workers and hospitals and now to local non-profit organizations.

Diaper donations from both Immaculate Conception Church and St. James of Bas king Ridge for our child care centers in New Brunswick will be distributed to all of our families at both YES St. Ladislaus and YES ELC in New Brunswick.

The community members served by the Catholic Charities YES child care centers in New Brunswick continue to experience an increase in food insecurity. ​​​​​​​Through a generous food donation...

Catholic Charities’ Child Care Site Supervisor Jenelle Clauson read a Facebook post about a 104 year old Marine’s special plea for Valentine’s Wishes. Ms. Clauson gathered her colleagues at Hatchery Hill Elementary School and organized a project for the kids in the Catholic Charities’ after school child care program to respond to the oldest living Marine’s request. 

Rutgers Public Safety Officers were recognized by Catholic Charities’ YES Program as part of a learning unit about Community Service Providers. Officer Correa and SCO Joshua visited the Catholic Charities’ YES @ St Ladislaus Preschool Program, stopping into every classroom to read books to the children and to distribute coloring books about Handling Emergencies and When to Call 911.

We are so thankful to all who helped make sure the families who attend our YES Child Care Centers had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

At its township committee meeting on October 22, 2019, Hillsborough Mayor Frank DelCore issued a proclamation acknowledging October 24, 2019, as Lights On Afterschool Day. DelCore encouraged continued innovative afterschool programming and activities that ensure the lights stay on and the doors stay open for all children after school.

Catholic Charities child care centers in New Brunswick and Phillipsburg will be celebrating this week April 8-12th! Special activities include making instruments, cooking with professional chefs, dressing as their favorite superhero, creating 3-D art sculptures and coming to school in their pajamas to be read to by parents! The National Association of Young Children

Just in time for the 2018-19 school year, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, added a second preschool program to its catalogue of services in New Brunswick - the Youth Enrichment Services (YES) at St. Ladislaus, 197 Somerset Street. Catholic Charities is building on the success of the YES Early Learning Center at Sacred Heart, 115 Commercial Avenue, which uses Tools of the Mind© Curriculum to ensure every child becomes a successful learner. The Agency was awarded a second contract and began the task renovating the center on July 1st. Thirty-two new staff members were hired and upgrades to the center were completed in preparation to welcome students in September. The Preschool Center at St. Ladislaus has 12 classrooms with a maximum capacity of 180 children. Funding for the program is provided by the New Brunswick School District.

Catholic Charities Child Care Programs are celebrating Lights On 2018 with special activities to draw attention to the importance of after school child care. In America today, 11.3 million children are alone and unsupervised after school. After school programs keep kids safe, help working families and inspire learning.

Catholic Charities’ YES Early Learning Center (YES ELC) preschool in New Brunswick honored its pre-school graduates at a Moving Up ceremony in June. The now Kindergarten students proudly paraded around the gym displaying their certificates. A total of 335 participants including children and their families were present to celebrate the graduates.