Best Preschools, Elementary Schools, and Daycares in Jersey City
Choosing a daycare or school for your child can be a nerve-wracking and overwhelming experience. JCFamilies wants to help you find the right fit for your child; there are many choices as you search for the right option for your child(ren) and family. Here’s a list of the Best Preschools, Elementary Schools, and Daycares In Jersey City. Additionally, with each listing, you’ll find contact information and a few details to help you become informed and make the best decision possible.
The Brunswick School: PreSchools & DayCares in Jersey City
Brunswick Street Campus
371 7th Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201-478-8886
Email: [email protected]
Hours: M-F 7 am-7 pm
(7th Street Entrance, street, and parking lot parking)
The Brunswick School (TBS) mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and inspiring learning environment and holistic education that considers children’s physical, cognitive, social/emotional, language, and life-skill development and progress. TBS helps children reach developmentally-appropriate milestones, using an adaptable curriculum that meets the unique needs of each child and allows teachers to scaffold learning catering to each child’s talents and strengths.
TBS believes that fostering creativity, offering hands-on experiences, and connecting the classrooms with the natural world through monthly themes are effective ways to engage and develop young minds so they can thrive in elementary school and beyond.
The school was founded on the belief that we should celebrate the diversity of Jersey City. We are committed to fostering meaningful connections with those in our neighborhood and extended community of students, families, teachers, and staff.
Smart Start Academy: PreSchools & DayCares in Jersey City
JERSEY CITY – Smart Start Academy: 180 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201.461.6262
For the list of their schools in the area with the addresses and phone numbers, please check here.
Hours: 7 am – 7 pm (in all locations)
THE HEIGHTS- Jersey City – Smart Start Academy: 462 Central Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307
Phone: 201.461.6161
JERSEY AVENUE Jersey City – Smart Start Academy: 532 Jersey Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201.461.0101
HOBOKEN – Smart Start Academy: 552 9th Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: 201.461.6363
Smart Start Academy has several locations including those in Hoboken, Heights, and Jersey Avenue. “At Smart Start Academy, our goal is to foster a nurturing, safe, fun, and active environment for our students to learn and express themselves socially, creatively, emotionally, and intelligently.” They have infant, toddler, preschool, pre-kindergarten, and also after-school programs.
The Waldo School
110 1st Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201-721-6000
Email: [email protected]
The Waldo School inquiry-based educational approach provides every opportunity for children to ask questions, grow, think critically, develop, collaborate, and express themselves differently. Students pursue their talents and dreams through a comprehensive academic program and various after-school classes. The WALDO School has preschool, elementary, and middle school. Their emphasis on S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) is highly regarded by the parents. As mentioned by them they believe in the importance of integrating science, mathematics, the arts, research, and technology into the entire school curriculum and philosophy.
Ivy Primary Prep
Ivy Primary Prep is an early childhood education center catering to ages 18 months through 6 years. The center focuses on primary learning and early childhood development, offering academically focused programs. Ivy Primary Prep takes an innovative approach to the development of the whole student by emphasizing a curriculum that includes physical, social, and emotional components. The teaching method revolves around interactive and workshop-based lesson plans. To foster an academically challenging environment and maximize student-teacher engagement, each classroom is capped at ten students.
The French American Academy
Jersey City Campus: 209 Third Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201.338.8320 press 2
Englewood Campus: 85 W Demarest Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631
Phone: 201.338.8320 press 1
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 201-963-5555
The French American Academy provides a bilingual and comprehensive curriculum in an atmosphere that encourages critical reasoning, wonder, enthusiasm, and strong ambition. Their Jersey City campus serves students from 2.5 to 14 years of age while the Englewood Campus serves those from 2.5 to 11 years of age. Also, the French American Academy believes learning a second language early is a lifelong advantage. Moreover, they also think every child has the potential for excellence and to work passionately to educate the whole child. The teacher-student ratio is also better than the state-required teacher ratio: 5:1 Pre-K, 8:1 for three-year-olds in Pre-K, 10:1 for four-year-olds in Pre-K, and 12:1 for Kindergarten and up. The impressive ratios make it one of the best preschools, elementary schools, and daycares in Jersey City.
Academy of Excellence
Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care
Kiddie Academy of Hamilton Park is permanently closed.
255 Brunswick Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: (201) 241 -4443
Kiddie Academy is an educational center in Jersey City that will exceed your expectations. The key ingredient of their educational philosophy is the Life Essentials program; children learn, grow, and play in a safe, nurturing, clean environment. Additionally, Kiddie Academy offers something for everyone from 6 weeks of age through 12 years old as well.
Waterfront Montessori
150 Warren St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: (201) 333-5600
Email: info@waterfrontmontessori.com
Waterfront Montessori uses a Montessori curriculum for toddlers through grade 5, and a Montessori and International Baccalaureate (IB) combined curriculum for grades 6 through 8. Moreover, the student-to-teacher ratio is 1:4 for toddlers, 1:10 for primary and lower elementary students, and 1:8 for upper elementary and middle school students. Additionally, students are exposed to visual and fine arts, choral and instrumental music, theater, and music appreciation. Tuition fees depend on the grade level as well as if the student is availing of before/after-care. Click here for more tuition information.
Learning Ladders
33-35 Hudson St, Jersey City, and 160 Morgan St, Suite # 2, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201.918.6643
Email: admissions@learningladersnj.
Hours: 7.30 am – 6.30 pm
Learning Ladders International Baccalaureate World School is an independent, private, non-sectarian school located in historic Paulus Hook and downtown Grove St of Jersey City. They offer care for infants from 2 months to classes for 6-year-old kids. Not to mention, Learning Ladders fosters independence and promotes analytical thinking and creative problem-solving. They offer several enrichment programs. Also, they are open M-F throughout the year, offer flexible schedules, and have the least number of closings a year. Among other features, weekly enrichment classes are conducted as well and digital daily reports are sent to each family.
Bright Horizons
152 Plaza 3, Jersey City, NJ 07311
Phone: 201-661-2696
For enrollment info: 877.624.4532
Hours M-F 7 am – 6:30 pm
Jersey City Bright Horizons is located in the lobby of Plaza 3 in Harborside Financial Center, located on the corner of Harborside Pl. and Hudson St. The HBLR is conveniently located in the front of the building.
HOBOKEN: 1102 Maxwell Lane, Hoboken, NJ
Maxwell Lane Bright Horizons is located near the corner of Toni and Guy Hair Salon and at the first storefront entrance.
HOBOKEN SINATRA DRIVE: Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, NJ
Sinatra Drive Bright Horizons is in the middle of the block between LRP and House Of Que.
Bright Horizons uses a curriculum titled The World at Their Fingertips. It is designed to engage children in active learning while helping them learn, grow, and develop, and it encourages a spirit of community. Moreover, children are served healthy food and eat family-style serving themselves while learning about making healthy choices. They offer flexible 2, 3, 4, or 5-day options. For more information about tuition, contact the Bright Horizons center listed above.
Early Beginnings Day School
Early Beginnings Day School – The Toddler/Pre-K Center
109 Christopher Columbus Dr.
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Early Beginnings Day School – The Infant Center
338 Grove Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201-685-3457
Early Beginnings Day School provides services for children ages 0 months through 5 years old. They have an Infant Center offering care to 0 -12 month-old infants and a Toddler/Pre-K center. Tuition is based on the age, time, and number of days you would opt for. Before-school programs, after-school programs, and half-day programs are available. Early Beginnings Day School provides a safe, caring, and enriched environment that promotes learning and the development of each child.
The Garden Preschool Cooperative
242 10th Street, Jersey City NJ 07302
Email: [email protected]
Hours: 8:30 am – 4 pm
The Garden Preschool Cooperative provides high-quality education for children ages 3 (by December 1) through 5 years old when they enter school with a theme-based curriculum that changes year to year. The Garden Preschool Cooperative is a parent-run non-profit preschool that employs the developmental-interactive approach to teaching students as pioneered by the Bank Street Graduate School of Education in New York. Parents equally play a central role in the education of students. Additionally, they help enrich the curriculum, offer guidance to the teachers, assist in the classroom once monthly, and staff all leadership roles on the Board of Directors.
Hamilton Park Montessori School
Lower Campus (Toddlers through Kindergarten): 1 McWilliams Place, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Upper Campus (1st through 8th Grade): 175 8th Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201.533.1910
Email: admissions@
Hours: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Hamilton Park Montessori School (HPMS) educates children from toddlers through 8th grade by nurturing the whole child and their innate love of learning. “Our Guiding Vision is: We believe that a better world is created by respectful people who are authentic to themselves, passionate in their pursuits, and connected to the world around them.”
Every individual child is provided with unique opportunities for growth and development by our talented teaching staff to help them become capable, confident, and compassionate citizens of the world. The students also engage in a variety of special classes each week, including Movement/PE, Music, Art, Spanish, Literacy, Writers’ & Readers’ Workshop, and more!
Click here for information on their tuition.
Hudson Montessori School
10 Regent Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201.516.0700
Email: [email protected]
Promoting a love of learning in each child from toddlers through 8th grade guides the thoughts and actions at Hudson Montessori. We focus on the individual interests and needs of each child, allowing the child to learn in a hands-on setting. They also work with the children in areas of practical life, sensory, language, math, culture, science, and motor skills. For tuition information, click here.
The Kaplan Cooperative Preschool
115 Park Avenue, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: 201.653.8666
Email: [email protected]
The Kaplan Cooperative Preschool is associated with the United Synagogue of Hoboken. They are a Jewish Preschool committed to providing children with a play-based and high-quality education. Therefore, The Kaplan Cooperative Preschool welcomes children and families of all faiths and wants everyone to be comfortable. Learn more about this option and see if it is the Best Preschool, Elementary School, and Daycare in Jersey City for your family.
Primary Prep Elementary & Middle School
41 Tuers Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: 201.333.8844
Primary Prep Elementary and Middle School is a small private school that was founded in 1994 and now serves kindergarten through 8th grade. The curriculum is designed to encourage the students to think outside the box by using and developing critical thinking. Additionally, students form strong foundations in math, reading, language arts, science, history, and writing, as well as the arts. Technology is also infused through iPads, Google Chromebooks, and laptops in lessons.
The Scandinavian School of Jersey City
210 9th Street, Jersey City NJ 07306
Phone: (201) 420-8111
Transportation: Public Transit – Path Train to Grove Street or Newport/Pavonia Stops
The Scandinavian School of Jersey City is a Scandinavian school inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach to caring for children. They offer classes from age 1 to grade 8. Children will be exposed to and learn a Scandinavian language besides English. The curriculum is based on a child being creative, capable, and inquisitive. They learn best when their interests are acknowledged as worthy of investigation. Furthermore, the Scandinavian School of Jersey City offers homemade, organic, and wholesome meals that are enjoyed together. The children make organic nut milk and daily food preparation. Click here for tuition information.
Tessa International School
720 Monroe Street Suites E105-106 Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: 201.755.5585
Email: [email protected]
Viaquenti Preschool
285 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201.222.0033
Viaquenti Preschool is permanently closed.
Viaquenti Preschool provides a global education for children from three months through 2nd grade and anticipates expanding grade levels. Children under 3 years old are instructed based on the Multiple Intelligence Theory and Project-Based Approach.
Smile Preschool and Nursery
Nursery – 276 1st Street Jersey City NJ 07302
Phone: 201.963.2462
Preschool – 194 Newark Avenue NJ 07302
Phone: 201.963.8533
Smile Preschool and Nursery provides a nurturing environment in a home-like setting where your child is encouraged to share their feelings and express their creativity, where they can grow and develop at their own pace. They follow Abbott-certified education program.
All Saints Episcopal Day School
Campus at Washington Street: 707 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: 201.792.0736
Email: [email protected]
Campus at Clinton Street: 527 Clinton Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: 201.792.6292
All Saints Episcopal Day School is an independent Pre-K 3 to Grade 8 International Baccalaureate World School. They nurture academic excellence from Nursery to Grade 8 by encouraging social responsibility and educating the whole child. Therefore, the dedicated staff shares values of hard work, self-discipline, mutual respect, and the active pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
All Saints Episcopal Day School is only 15 minutes from Manhattan and is easily accessible by car, train, bus, or ferry. You may travel via car through the Lincoln, Holland Tunnel, or NY Waterways. You may travel via Path Trains and Port Authority Bus Terminal on NJ Transit.
Bergen-Lafayette Montessori School
324 Communipaw Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07304
Phone: 201.706.3403
Email: [email protected]
Hours: M-F 7:30 am-6 pm
Street and parking lot parking are available; the entrance is on Pine Street, two blocks from Liberty State Park Light Rail Station
Bergen-Lafayette Montessori School is Jersey City’s only dual-language Montessori school. The school is a small, tight-knit community serving children from infancy to kindergarten. They also hold parent/child classes. Meal options are available to make lunchtime easier for busy parents. Register for information or schedule a private tour by visiting their website’s information session page or sending an email to [email protected].
Apple Montessori School
220 Sinatra Dr, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: (201) 222-1464
The Apple Montessori School has multiple locations. They serve children from 6 months to 6 years. Its method is designed to constantly build upon the individual skills and knowledge the child is acquiring at every age level. Nurturing the whole child is the core of all that they do. In addition, their mission is to educate, enrich, and inspire children to reach their fullest potential as kind, independent, curious, and happy individuals.
Adventures in Learning
2 Montgomery Street Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Phone: 201-433-0211
Adventures in Learning provides a safe, healthy, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment. They have multiple locations including two in Hoboken and one in Bayonne. Additionally, their program embraces cultural diversity and fosters a love of learning in all children. Therefore, they encourage children to become self-directed learners while implementing strategies and techniques that support child development through appropriate practices.
Mustard Seed School
422 Willow Avenue, Hoboken, NJ
Phone: 201.653.5548
Mustard Seed School is a PK-8th-grade independent Christian school in Hoboken, NJ. Their curriculum focuses on academics, arts, faith, and service to educate the whole child. Mustard Seed School teaches each child to know and care for their community and world. Together, they inspire minds, cultivate hearts, and remove barriers. On 1st July 2024, MSS merged with The Hudson School to create the only Pre-K through Grade 12 Independent School in Hudson County. You can more information on The Hudson School here.
Montessori School of Jersey City
17 Erie St, Jersey City
Phone:(201) 432-6300
The Montessori School of Jersey City is “where passion meets Montessori education.” With class sizes that don’t exceed a capacity of 26 students, teaching children ranging from 3 to 6. Parents have the option to have their children attend an entire session or half session as well. Extended hours are 8:30 am to 6 pm.
Park View Academy
Vantage – 33 Park View Avenue – Jersey City 07302
Phone: 201-499-5775
At Park View Academy, they are dedicated to creating a nurturing, stimulating, and welcoming environment for all children. Their unique programs incorporate a variety of educational theories while always keeping the child’s best interest in mind and allowing for hands-on, experiential learning.
The Place for Learning
6 Chapel Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Phone: (201) 985-8745
The Place for Learning School offers exceptional care for children six weeks to three years old. They have fun centers and workshops/programs, a hands-on curriculum, certified teachers, and so much more! Also, with their studies, your little one can get involved in extracurricular activities such as yoga, music, and chess. Also, if you want to learn more about this school on our list of the 6 Best Montessori Schools in Jersey City? Schedule a tour!
Play & Learn
41 Tuers Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Hoboken Charter School
713 Washington St Hoboken, NJ
Phone: 201-963-3280
The Hoboken Charter School is a K-12 community of learners that seeks to develop the academic, artistic, personal, and civic growth of all its members through its commitment to service-learning and learner-centered education. The Hoboken Charter School also believes that students thrive in environments where expectations are clear and consistent at all levels and where students are known. This school is open to all students and enrollment is done by a random lottery held in public in January each year for the following school year. You can find more details about the lottery here.
Hoboken Dual Language Charter School
Elementary School: 123 Jefferson St., Hoboken, NJ 07030
The Hoboken Dual Language School is a dual-language Charter School that opened in 2010 serving elementary and middle schoolers. The Hoboken Dual Language Charter School is committed to providing exceptional education in Spanish and English to develop engaged, well-rounded bilingual citizens with a global and multicultural perspective who take personal responsibility for becoming positive members of their communities.
St. Nicholas School
118 Ferry St Jersey City, NJ
Phone:(201) 659-5948
The mission of St. Nicholas School is to embrace, nurture, and educate all of God’s children, preparing them for lives of service and leadership rooted in the Gospel values of faith, hope, and love. The Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools has accredited St. Nicholas School since 1993. Additionally, their 2018 graduates received over $400,000 from their excellent Catholic high schools.
Updated 26 July, 2024
