Home → BBOED Pre-K Program
BBOED Pre-K 3 & 4
Explore what makes our Bayonne Board of Education program special and discover all the ways children learn, play, explore, and build confidence throughout the day at the JCC.
A joyful start to learning begins here.
In our BBOED HighScope preschool program, children learn through purposeful play as they explore, interact, and use their creativity.
Exploration
Discovery
Belonging
Look Inside Our Classrooms
OUR LEARNING CENTERS Our classrooms invite children to learn through direct hands-on experiences with people, objects, and ideas.
Our bright, clean HighScope classrooms are thoughtfully designed with modern, child-centered furniture, new educational manipulatives, and carefully organized into distinct interest areas that give children opportunities to explore, make choices, and learn through an active participatory approach. Each center offers hands-on experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration while supporting children's development across a variety of areas.
House
Children use marketplace wagons, play kitchens, dishes, food, furnished dollhouses, dolls, dress-up clothes, and household props to recreate familiar experiences and explore different roles through dramatic play.
Block
Children build with woodworking tables, unit blocks, foam blocks, wooden shapes, ramps, vehicles, and other building materials to create structures while exploring balance, size, shape, and space.
Toy
Children explore small figures, animals, vehicles, puzzles, matching games, and other manipulatives that encourage sorting, classifying, problem-solving, and imaginative play.
Art
Children create with crayons, markers, paint, paper, glue, scissors, collage materials, and other open-ended art supplies on our four-sided easels to experiment and express their ideas.
Sand & Water
Children investigate with sand, water, cups, funnels, scoops, containers, measuring tools, and other sensory materials while experimenting with volume, texture, movement, and cause and effect.
Music & Movement
Children use shakers, drums, bells, rhythm sticks, scarves, and other instruments and movement props to explore sound, rhythm, coordination, and self-expression.
Discovery
Children investigate with Magna microscopes, globes, light tables, magnets, natural objects, measuring tools, and other hands-on materials that encourage observation, experimentation, and early scientific thinking.
Book
Children explore puppets in puppet theaters, picture books, storybooks, felt-board pieces, and other literacy materials that encourage storytelling, vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of reading.
Writing
Children experiment with pencils, crayons, markers, paper, letter cards, alphabet stamps, stencils, and other writing materials as they develop fine-motor skills and begin expressing ideas through writing.
Cozy Area
Children can unwind with soft seating, pillows, books, stuffed animals, and other calming materials in a comfortable space for quiet play, reading, or taking a break.
A Dedicated Team Every child benefits from a caring team of teachers and staff behind them.
Our certified teachers create a supportive environment where children learn through purposeful activities, build academic and social-emotional skills, and become active members of their classroom community. Through encouragement, guidance, and meaningful interactions, teachers help each child develop confidence and a positive approach to learning.
Our teachers are also supported by classroom assistants and family workers who help create a safe, welcoming, and positive experience for children and families.
Our Early Childhood Director provides program leadership, supports staff, and works closely with families to ensure high standards of care, education, and safety are maintained throughout the school year.
Explore Beyond the Classroom
Our expansive, multi-use facility gives children room to experience learning in different ways, with spaces designed for movement, discovery, and calm.
Full-Size Indoor Gym
Room to move, play, and build gross-motor skills through games and active play with age-appropriate equipment.
Stephen R. Gregg Park
Just steps from our facility, the park offers playgrounds, sprinklers, and nature trails for outdoor exploration.
Family Lending Library
A welcoming space where families can explore a variety of books and check out favorites to take home.
Swim & Safety Class
A monthly afterschool introduction to swimming and water safety for our students, led by British Swim School in our heated indoor pool. An additional fee applies
Calming Sensory Room
A dedicated, safe space designed to help children regulate their responses to external stimuli like light, sound, touch, and movement.
Special Events
Art shows, holiday parties, seasonal activities, and other memorable events that bring children, families, and teachers together throughout the school year.
What We Do
Every Day
Our daily activities give children opportunities to explore their interests, try new things, and learn through play.
1 hr
Teacher-Led Activities
Guided small-group time allows hands-on exploration using materials chosen by the teacher based on children's interests and developmental abilities, while large-group time brings the entire classroom together for shared movement, music, and community activities.
1 hr
Independent Exploration
Children carry out their own self-chosen play plans and explore materials based on their interests and ideas.
50 min
Outside & Gym Play
Time for active movement, gross-motor development, games, and outdoor exploration.
1 hr 20 min
Meals & Snacks
Mealtimes are about more than eating—children practice independence, conversation, and social skills.
1 hr
Rest
Quiet time to relax, recharge, and meet each child’s individual need for rest.
20 min
Story Time
Shared books, stories, and conversations that encourage language, listening, and imagination.
20 min
Clean-Up & Reflection
Children help care for their classroom and revisit their experiences, ideas, and activities from the day.
Keeping Children Safe Your child’s safety, security, and well-being are at the heart of everything we do, and we take every precaution to create a secure and welcoming environment for children, families, and staff.
The JCC maintains a secure facility with controlled building access, surveillance cameras, alarmed doors, and identification requirements for all visitors and adults authorized to pick up your child. Our team also follows established emergency procedures and conducts regular safety drills throughout the school year to help keep children and staff safe.
Learn more about our facility and security measureS → MEET OUR DIRECTOR 
Mrs. Leticia Ortiz
Director, BBOED Pre-K 3 & Pre-K 4 at the Lauren Wendroff Early Childhood Center
For more than 26 years, Leticia Ortiz has dedicated her career to early childhood education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Leadership and has had the privilege of serving as a teacher, mentor, and educational leader. Each experience has strengthened her belief that the early years provide the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Leticia believes every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and joyful environment where they can learn through play, build meaningful relationships, and develop confidence. She also believes that strong partnerships between families and educators are essential, as children thrive when everyone works together.
Have Questions? Let’s Talk!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, the JCC of Bayonne is a partner provider for the Bayonne School District’s free, full-day Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 programs. The regular school day is provided at no cost to families; Wrap Around Extended Care is available for an additional fee for families who need care before or after the school day.
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To be eligible to participate, children must reside in Bayonne, New Jersey.
For Pre-K 3: a child must be 3 years of age on or before October 1.
For Pre-K 4: a child must be 4 years of age on or before October 1.
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BBOED Pre-K is a full-day, five-days-a-week program. Consistent attendance is important for your child's experience and participation in the program.
BBOED Attendance Policy: Children absent for more than 10 consecutive school days in a month will be removed from the program.
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For the safety and privacy of our students, we follow BBOED building security and visitor procedures and are unable to offer individual parent tours of our classrooms. We do host Open House events before district registration, where prospective families can meet our staff, learn more about the program, and tour a classroom.
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Yes, for families who need additional coverage before or after the regular Pre-K day, Wrap Around Care is available for an additional fee.
Before Care: 7:30 - 8:30am
After Care: 2:30 - 5:30pOur extended care program is available on regular full school days and does not operate on scheduled BBOED school closure days. Before Care is available on scheduled BBOED half days, but After Care is not. Extended care is also not available when school is unexpectedly closed due to severe weather or other emergency closures.
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The district participates in the National School Lunch Program. Free meals are available only to families who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Families may also purchase school lunch through the program. Otherwise, please send lunch and snacks daily.
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The JCC follows the Bayonne Board of Education’s decisions regarding school closures, delayed openings, and early dismissals due to severe weather. Families will be notified through the usual school communication channels.
When school is open, children continue their regular schedule with indoor activities and opportunities for movement and play in the gym when outdoor activities are not possible.
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No, uniforms are not required.
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No, potty training is not a pre-requisite.