Kindergarten in Fanwood/Westfield/Maplewood, etc. (Orange, South Orange: daycare, YMCA, elementary school)

[tf33]

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are thinking of moving to North Jersey next year (We are looking at Fanwood, Westfield, Maplewood, South Orange areas). We have two children -- one will be 5 years old and one will be four years old next year.

We currently live in NYC where Kindergarten is full day but we understand that in NJ it is half day. My husband will be commuting into NYC and I am a teacher; and if I am lucky enough to get a job in NJ will be working a full day.

We were wondering what working parents do if their child is only in school half day. Are there "afterschool" programs they can attend until I can pick my son up or will I have to enroll them both in private school/daycare until they reach 1st grade?

Any info is greatly appreciated!

[plume12]

Hi - We recently moved to Fanwood a couple of months ago and we were having the same issues.
My son just turned 5 and he will be attending the public school in Sept. I just signed him up for before/after school program in Fanwood with the Y. So Fanwood, Westfield and Maplewood all have great afterschool programs and even before programs. Good luck

[clevedark]

I think some schools have full day K--Maplewood/South Orange being one of them. There is an afterschool program there but the slots fill up quickly.

You can get more detailed info about childcare and schools in those two towns by posting on Maplewood Online--it's a fantastic messageboard.

[tiggywink]

I live in Westfield, the Y has a kindergarten wrap around program. You can even arrange for your cild to take swimming or other classes while in their care.

[FanwoodScotchPlains]

We lived in Fanwood 14 years. As many/most locals are working, there are excellent wrap around solutions - one I can unhesitatingly reccomend is the local JCC, offering both a wrap around and also a full day program to kids of all denominations.

Children's Services

Once kids are in elementary school we have used the JCC for aftercare ever since and it's a great program.

There is also a terrific YMCA and many local private options.

As a former New Yorker, I really like being in a town that was so small you can be on a first name basis wth the Mayor and other local officials. Great services. Great schools.

Originally Posted by tf33

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are thinking of moving to North Jersey next year (We are looking at Fanwood, Westfield, Maplewood, South Orange areas). We have two children -- one will be 5 years old and one will be four years old next year.

We currently live in NYC where Kindergarten is full day but we understand that in NJ it is half day. My husband will be commuting into NYC and I am a teacher; and if I am lucky enough to get a job in NJ will be working a full day.

We were wondering what working parents do if their child is only in school half day. Are there "afterschool" programs they can attend until I can pick my son up or will I have to enroll them both in private school/daycare until they reach 1st grade?

Any info is greatly appreciated!

[tf33]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all of this information...it is extremely helpful!

I assume the students travel between the school and the outside programs by bus? Also, am I understanding correctly that there are before school options as well? If so, this would be very helpful to our situation.