Preschool and Childcare Center | Raritan Valley Community College in NJ

Who We Are

The Children’s Campus at RVCC provides high-quality care and early learning for children from 3 months through pre-kindergarten.

Located on RVCC’s Branchburg campus, the center offers a warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment where children can grow, explore, build friendships, and develop the skills they need for the next stage of learning.

The Children’s Campus serves RVCC students, faculty, staff, and families from surrounding communities as space allows.

The Children’s Campus has been part of RVCC since 1975. Our experienced administrators and teachers are dedicated to early care and education, and our classrooms are designed to support curiosity, creativity, confidence, and connection.

As part of Raritan Valley Community College, the center also serves as a laboratory school where RVCC students can gain hands-on experience through observation, fieldwork, and service learning.

Children’s Campus Policies & Family Information

Why Families Choose Us

Families choose the Children’s Campus because children learn in a safe, structured, and joyful environment where play and discovery are part of every day. Our program offers:

Care for children from 3 months through pre-kindergarten

Full-time and part-time care options

Certified and experienced early childhood educators

Research-based curriculum

Hands-on, play-based learning

Inclusive classrooms that value diverse cultures, backgrounds, and abilities

Two enclosed playgrounds and safe campus walking opportunities

Family partnerships that support each child’s growth

Age Groups & Classrooms

Infants
A nurturing classroom for babies, with individualized care, responsive routines, and opportunities for sensory exploration, movement, language, and bonding.

Toddlers
A warm, active environment where children build independence, language, motor skills, early social skills, and confidence through play and daily routines.

Twos
A bridge between toddler and preschool learning, with support for communication, self-help skills, early friendships, creative play, and growing curiosity.

Preschool / Pre-K
A play-based classroom experience that supports school readiness, early literacy, math thinking, problem-solving, social development, and confidence.

Image of a teacher and two students doing an activity.

Our Vision

We prepare children to think creatively, solve problems, act responsibly, and actively engage in learning.

We also help prepare future educators by modeling research-based practices that challenge and support every child.

Family & Community

We value families as partners, celebrate diverse cultures and abilities, and encourage connections between home and school. The Children’s Campus is a safe, structured, and joyful place where children thrive.

Learning & Curriculum

Children learn best through hands-on experiences, meaningful play, and caring relationships.

The Children’s Campus uses Creative Curriculum to support development in four key areas:

Social and emotional development
Physical development
Cognitive development
Language development

Classrooms include learning centers and theme-based activities that encourage children to explore, imagine, create, ask questions, solve problems, and build confidence.

Teachers observe children regularly and use work samples, classroom experiences, and family input to support each child’s progress.

A Thematic Approach to Learning

Teachers create engaging learning experiences around themes such as birds, artists, transportation, seasons, or community helpers.

These themes connect science, social studies, art, language, movement, and early math concepts in ways that are developmentally appropriate and fun for young children.

Children take part in group meetings, hands-on activities, experiments, creative projects, outdoor play, and open-ended exploration.

Image of a Children's Campus employee juggling with young children watching.

Sessions & Schedule

The Children’s Campus is open Monday through Friday, year-round.

Session options include:

Half Day
7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Morning + Nap
7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Full Day
7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Families may choose full-time or part-time care, based on availability. Children must be enrolled for a minimum of three sessions per week.

Tuition, Billing & Assistance

Tuition rates depend on the number of days and sessions a child is enrolled.

Tuition is billed monthly through Procare. Drop-in fees, when applicable, are added to the monthly statement.

The Children’s Campus accepts funding from government assistance programs, including Community Child Care Solutions and NORWESCAP. Families are responsible for enrolling in these programs, obtaining an approved contract, and paying any required co-payments not covered by the funding agency.

Payments may be made through the Procare app. Check payments may be made payable to Raritan Valley Community College and submitted through the Finance Office.

Tuition and fees not paid by the due date may be subject to a late fee. Thirty days’ notice is required when withdrawing to avoid charges for the following month. Credit is not given for illness, holidays, or vacation.

Teachers & Staff

string(177) “Each class also includes experienced group teachers and aides, including RVCC students gaining professional experience. All staff meet New Jersey’s pre-employment requirements”

Each class also includes experienced group teachers and aides, including RVCC students gaining professional experience. All staff meet New Jersey’s pre-employment requirements

Gwendolyn McGee Wright

Director

Gwendolyn Wright has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education and leadership. She has taught in public schools, led Head Start programs, and directed early childhood centers, earning a Master’s in Educational Leadership. Since 2022, she has served as Director of The Children’s Campus at RVCC, guiding a high-quality, nurturing learning environment for children and families.

Jill Accomando

Assistant Director & Infant/Toddler Coordinator

with over 25 years’ experience, coordinates the Infant, Toddler, and Twos programs. She holds a BS in Health Education and formerly serves as Head Teacher at The Children’s Campus.

Cathy O’Rourke

Head Teacher & Preschool Coordinator

BS in Early Childhood Education, has over 20 years’ experience teaching young children and their families.

Seemaa Goel

Primary Teacher

formerly a part-time assistant, now teaches Primary 2–3s, bringing several years of experience with young children.

Maria del Carmen Molle

Assistant Professor

maria.molle@raritanval.edu

Board Certified in Case Management and Medical Surgical Nursing – American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Degrees:

MSN, Fairleigh Dickinson University
BSN, Fairleigh Dickinson University
AAS, Felician College

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are you licensed and accredited?

The Children’s Campus is licensed by the State of New Jersey, Department of Human Services, Division of Youth and Family Services.

Can families use drop-in care if their child is not enrolled?

No. Children must be enrolled in the program to use drop-in care. Families must enroll their child for at least three half-day sessions each week.

Can I change my child’s schedule?

Schedule changes may be possible if staffing is available. Families must complete a Change of Schedule form. Drop-in days or added half-days are approved based on staffing and availability.

Do I need to send lunch?

Yes. Families must send lunch from home for children who are at the center during the day. Food warming is available only in the infant room.

How are allergies handled?

Families should notify the center of any allergies or medical needs. Staff will work with families to support each child’s safety and follow required procedures.

Is the center open to community families?

Yes. Enrollment is open to RVCC students, faculty, staff, and families from surrounding communities as space allows.

Contact the Children’s Campus at RVCC

Have questions about enrollment, scheduling, tuition, or availability? Contact the Children’s Campus team.

Gwendolyn McGee Wright
Director, The Children’s Campus
908-231-8807
Gwendolyn.Wright@raritanval.edu

Shelley Brown
Administrative Assistant
908-526-1200, ext. 8933

Children’s Campus Policies & Family Information