ABOUT US
The Village Babies Development Center, LLC provides adventures in curiosity and early learning to children across South Orange, New Jersey.
In our bright, spacious three-story building we provide a vibrant environment for infants, toddlers and pre-kindergarteners. Our facility has a back play area and a large indoor gym.
We specialize in building natural inquisition by allowing each child to learn at their own pace. We meet and exceed all state requirements for safety, teacher training and staff ratios.
How our Story Began
When Dana Kearney’s fifteen year career as a Registered Nurse in Pediatrics was put on hold to have a family, she started a home daycare business. Harnessing her professional training, her daycare was founded on the firm belief that social and emotional well-being provide the best foundation for cognitive development.
Her home business quickly became a runaway success within the local community, and the seeds of what would become the Village Babies Development Center, LLC were planted.
Knowing that a strong bond of trust with parents was paramount, Dana opened the current South Orange facility in 2008. And her founding members of staff are still by her side today.
The Center has grown exponentially since launch. But this growth has never prevented the Village from sticking to its founding beliefs of academic and play-based learning, intentional teaching and high staff to child ratios.
Our adventure continues
Just as our children learn and grow, so do we. At the heart of our Center is a relentless desire to keep developing, becoming the best at what we do. We set ourselves stringent standards, outperforming what is required of us by law and regulations.
Our infant caregivers take courses in sign language, are certified in CPR and First Aid, and are continuously trained in child development courses to further their knowledge and experience. Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teachers are required to possess a college degree in early childhood education or a related field.
Our South Orange facility has two Registered Nurses on site and a full-time Certified Physical Education Teacher.
We follow a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning. This ensures that our teachers create a high-quality learning environment, building children’s confidence, creativity and critical thinking skills.
Our Village Babies Development Center, LLC building is regularly safety checked and completely redecorated once a year.
Our Mission
We believe in treating each child as an individual, making sure their needs are met, their voices are heard, and their eyes and hearts are opened to evolving and learning.
We love Why. We know that inquisition leads to exploration, and discovery leads to development. We think every question needs to be answered, from the giant ones about the universe to the little ones about snack time.
We believe in taking children on a journey of the senses, exploring early academics through play to build curious minds. We relish squishing, squashing and squeezing. And throw ourselves into building, boosting and bending. We believe that today’s block towers and lego ships are the skyscrapers and space rockets of the future.
We know the importance of purposeful and intentional learning. We believe that meaningful and engaging interaction should sit at the heart of early education. And to do this, we wear many hats from negotiator, nurse and cheerleader to scientist, detective and author. But our most important hat, the hat we cherish, is that of guardian. We know that children are in our care to be loved, nourished and nurtured.
We believe this journey in early learning and development is a partnership between family and educator. We hope that parents, siblings and caretakers enjoy the adventure as much as we do.
Our Values
Nurturing
We will always provide a loving environment, treating each child as an individual, making sure their needs are met, their voices are heard, and their eyes and hearts are opened to evolving and learning.
Trustworthy
We believe in partnership; our center is about collaboration and trust between between families, educators and children. We will always act with sincerity, honesty and integrity.
Inspiring
We are committed to providing an inspiring physical, social, cognitive and emotional environment. From the colors of our walls and our beloved pets to our center time and creative projects, we pour ideas and vibrancy into all we do.
Adventurous
We believe in taking children on a journey of the senses, exploring learning and early academics through play, discovering solutions, managing risks and ultimately building passionately curious minds.
Thoughtful
We tread with care and thought in developing a purposeful and intentional learning environment, anchored by a carefully chosen curriculum and driven by meaningful interaction with children and their families.
