Early Childhood Center Opens In Nutley As New School Year Kicks Off

NUTLEY, NJ — The Nutley Early Childhood Center will open its doors for the first time to local 3 and 4-year-olds this week.

Located at 777 Bloomfield Avenue, the center will support the growth of the Nutley Public School District’s Raising Raiders preschool program. Students will arrive for the first day of school on Wednesday.

Nutley Township officials released the following background information about the new childhood center:

“Following the Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting on Jan. 7, the board approved an ordinance to purchase the now fully renovated property at 777 Bloomfield Avenue. This decision allowed the school district to expand the access to state-funded preschool programs by acquiring much-needed space for the growing needs of the district. The plan, established through the BOC’s commitment to meet the demand for Raising Raiders, will also allow the district to move sixth grade to John Walker Middle School for the 2026-27 school year and advance educational opportunities by creating a true middle school experience. This approach opens up potential solutions to meet pre-K demand and potentially reduce reliance on trailers, all without requiring a burdensome $70 million to $80 million referendum for taxpayers.”

With these additional classrooms, the district will be able to welcome more than 100 additional 3 and 4-year-old children, township officials said.

• See Related: NJ Moves Forward With Free Preschool, Kindergarten For All Residents

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