The Kindergarten Gap
Why 40% of NJ Kindergarteners Arrive Behind
NJ kindergarten teachers report that nearly 4 in 10 children arrive unprepared for structured learning — missing letter recognition, number sense, pencil grip, or the ability to sit and focus. Our preschool curriculum is built specifically to close that gap before your child walks into their first classroom.
⭐ Grow NJ Kids Approved
Little Einstein\'s Academy is a Grow NJ Kids Participating Program. Our preschool curriculum, teacher qualifications, and family engagement meet the standards set by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families for quality early childhood education.
Aligned with New Jersey Kindergarten Entry Assessment (KEA)
New Jersey uses the Kindergarten Entry Assessment to measure each child’s readiness across five domains: language and literacy, mathematics, social-emotional development, physical well-being, and approaches to learning. Our preschool curriculum addresses all five — not as test prep, but as the natural foundation of everything we teach.
What Pre-K Kids Learn at LEA
A Real Preschool Day — Hour by Hour
7:00 – 9:00 AM — Arrival & Free Play
Children arrive, greet teachers, put their belongings away (practicing independence), and engage in free-choice activities at learning centers: blocks, dramatic play, art, sensory table.
9:00 – 9:30 AM — Circle Time
Calendar, weather, letter of the week, number of the day, and group songs. This is where language and early literacy skills are explicitly taught.
9:30 – 10:15 AM — Small Group Learning
Teacher-led lessons on phonics, writing practice, math concepts, or science experiments. Groups are small so every child gets direct instruction and feedback.
10:15 – 11:00 AM — Outdoor Play
Gross motor development, social cooperation, running, climbing, riding tricycles. Rain days: indoor movement activities.
11:00 – 12:00 PM — Choice Time & Projects
Children choose between art projects, STEAM experiments, dramatic play, or book reading. Teachers document what each child gravitates toward for developmental tracking.
12:00 – 1:00 PM — Lunch & Social Skills
Family-style lunch where children practice serving themselves, passing food, asking for items, and conversation skills.
1:00 – 2:30 PM — Rest & Quiet Time
Younger preschoolers nap; older Pre-K children have quiet reading, puzzles, or table activities. Rest is never forced.
2:30 – 5:00 PM — Afternoon Learning
Second small-group lesson, afternoon snack, more centers, and a closing circle to reflect on the day. Dismissal starts at 3 PM for part-time families.
Measurable Outcomes
What Your Child Will Be Able to Do Before Kindergarten
By the end of our Pre-K year, children leave LEA having mastered the following kindergarten readiness skills:
Literacy
Recognize all 26 uppercase and lowercase letters. Know the sounds each letter makes. Write their own name. Recognize 25+ sight words. Sit through a 10-minute read-aloud and answer questions about it.
Math
Count to 20+ with one-to-one correspondence. Recognize numbers 0–20. Identify basic shapes. Compare groups (more/less/equal). Understand simple patterns.
Writing & Fine Motor
Hold a pencil correctly. Write letters legibly. Cut with scissors along a line. Use glue, tape, and art tools independently. Tie shoes (for many children).
Social-Emotional
Follow multi-step directions. Take turns. Express needs verbally. Recover from frustration with guidance. Work cooperatively in small groups.
Self-Care
Use the bathroom independently. Put on and take off their own coat and shoes. Manage their lunch. Wash hands without reminders.
Attention & Focus
Sit and listen during circle time. Complete a table activity from start to finish. Transition between activities without meltdowns.
Feeder School for Local Edison & Roselle Districts
Our Pre-K graduates feed into Edison Township Public Schools, Roselle Public Schools, Woodbridge Township, and Metuchen district kindergarten programs. We stay in touch with local kindergarten teachers to understand what they’re looking for in incoming students — and we teach to that standard. Parents routinely tell us their child was one of the most prepared in their kindergarten class.
Structure vs Play
The LEA Philosophy: Structured Play
We don’t believe preschoolers should be sitting at desks all day, and we don’t believe they should be running wild without intention either. We call our approach “structured play” — children learn through play, but the play is designed, observed, and guided by trained teachers with specific developmental goals in mind.
Play With Purpose
When a child builds with blocks, they’re learning physics, geometry, problem-solving, and patience. A teacher asks the right questions to deepen that learning: “What happens if you put the small block on top?”
Not a Daycare, Not a School
LEA is both. Children learn academics AND develop the whole-child skills they need. We’re not a mini-kindergarten and we’re not a babysitting service. We’re a developmentally-appropriate preschool.
Individualized Observation
Teachers track each child’s progress across every domain. If one child is struggling with scissors, we give them more scissor practice. If another is reading early, we give them harder books.
Parent Partnership
Every 6 months we conduct a developmental check-in with parents. You’ll know exactly what your child is mastering and what they’re working on — no surprises.
Ready to See Our Pre-K Classroom?
Book a free 20-minute tour and watch a preschool day in action. Meet the teachers. Ask every question.
