Click on the program you're interested in below or continue reading on this page for information about everything TOA has to offer your children!

Learning begins in its earliest stages through our SEEDLINGS program for our students 12 weeks to 2 years old.  Just as a small seedling planted in the ground is the first step in a tree’s growth, our seedlings take their first steps in the world outside of their home, guided by our experienced teachers who begin to feed their imagination and stress the importance of new experiences, relationships and early verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Our Seedlings areas are organized and planned specifically for children in their age range.  The indoor spaces serve as the perfect spot for hands-on play while quieter spaces make perfect rest areas.  All cribs meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) Federal Safety Standards for Full-Size and Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs and children are monitored all throughout rest times. 

Seedlings classes are separated into two groups: 

Apples: Our 12 weeks to 12-16 month class
Oranges: Our 12-16 month to 2 year class 

For both classes, small teacher-to-student ratios are key, with a 1:2 ratio for our Apples and 1:3 for our Oranges. In addition, because we attempt to create an educational environment that's best suited for each individual child, moving from our Seedlings to Sprouts program is based on developmental preparedness (in addition to age) and is ultimately based on the determination of educational staff and directions in conjunction with the student's parents.

Like a sprouting flower, our preschoolers are just beginning to take shape in their greater world.  Opportunities for growth occur on a near constant basis and our incredible staff are there to nurture our students while allowing for independence and self-discovery.  Divided into multiple classes based on ages, our preschoolers take advantage of everything TOA has to offer – from our engaging preschool curriculum to our enrichments and special programs.

Sprouts/Clovers, Acorns & Oaks – 2-3 years old
Our Oak Trees (and their younger Sprouts and Acorns) are our youngest preschoolers who are immersed into the structure of a true school day.  Children are presented with fun and engaging activities geared to help develop their social interactions, further language skills and build on their fine and gross motor skills.

Maples – 3-4 years old
Our Maple Trees are ready to take their next step into the greater world and start by experiencing a classroom filled with opportunities for social and emotional growth.  Play is a large component of the day and is sprinkled throughout almost every lesson taught.  Importance is placed not only on structured play but also on unstructured play and transition times where students have opportunities to build their interpersonal skills and develop invaluable early problem solving skills.

Cedars – 4-5 years old* (Cedars may include 5 year olds who are not entering Kindergarten until the subsequent September; as such, Cedars may be split into two classes depending on age enrollment) 
Our Cedars experience a true Pre-Kindergarten classroom that will prepare them for life as a Kindergartener in the coming year(s).  Emphasis is placed on early awareness of language and math skills along with science and arts, allowing our teachers the ability to lay the groundwork for future academic success.  At the same time, the TOA philosophy is reinforced through cooperative work, experiential team-building activities and leadership development.

Our REDWOODS are our Kindergarteners, those students in the midst of blooming into their primary education. 

While we understand that some families choose to enroll their children in full-day public school, we are excited to be able to offer our own Kindergarten class for those whose towns do not have a full-day option, for those children who do not make district cut-offs or for those just interested in giving their children one more year of the TOA experience: small class sizes, incredible teachers and the arts-based, whole-child education we are so proud about.

Our Kindergarten program includes everything that TOA has to offer along with a curriculum rich in literacy, math and handwriting, all to prepare our children to enter their future school classrooms ahead of the curve.

The Kindergarten at TOA is filled with the engagement, curriculum and staff that are so important in creating a solid foundation to become lifelong learners.   Our research and practice based curriculum aligns with NJ State and national educational objectives while at the same time integrating those intangible yet invaluable life skills that will become even more important as our children continue to grow.