Miguel Garcia, Center Director
Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
Open:
Neighborhood:
Off Parkway Exit 135, 2 blocks from Barnes and Noble and Chilis, cross bridge then gone too far
Elementary Schools Bussed To:
None
Our center is accredited by NAEYC.
Welcome to Clark KinderCare
Welcome to Clark KinderCare! Just off Terminal Avenue near the Garden State Parkway, it's easy to get to our center as a part of our morning or evening commute. Our curriculum focuses on early academics, physical activity, and social emotional learning to nurture healthy bodies, happy hearts, and growing minds. It's our mission from the moment you walk into our center that you feel welcomed and a part of our KinderCare family!
Our classrooms are places to thrive!
In our safe and healthy classrooms, your child will be engaged in learning experiences that meet them where they are, both socially and academically. With fun daily activities, passionate teachers, and great friends, a lifetime of confidence starts here. Contact the center director to learn more about our child care options and schedule a tour!
Meet Miguel Garcia, Our Center Director
At KinderCare Since: 2005
Education: Master's Degree
Favorite Children's Book: Where the Wild Things Are
Meet Miguel Garcia! Miguel is the Center Director of Clark KinderCare in New Jersey. Miguel attended Rutgers University, where he earned his Master’s Degree in Education. Miguel has been with KinderCare since 2005. His favorite quote is, "Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do Good." -Mr. Feeny. Outside of work, Miguel likes to go to the movies.
AMERICA’S MOST ACCREDITED
We’re so proud!
Nationally only 10% of daycares are accredited - nearly 100% of our learning centers are. That’s a big difference, and that means KinderCare kids are getting the very best. Here’s why.
SCHOOL-READY
What Learning Looks Like
Our talented early-childhood teachers set kids down the path toward becoming lifelong learners in a positive, safe, and nurturing environment.
Clark KinderCare Programs
Infant Programs (6 weeks–1 year)
Leaving your baby in someone else’s care is a big step. Everyone at our centers—most importantly, our naturally gifted infant teachers—will work with you to make sure the transition goes smoothly. When you step into our infant classroom, you’ll see how much we want your infant to feel safe, loved, and ready to explore their world.
Toddler Programs (1–2 Years)
Everything in our toddler classroom is designed for little explorers. That’s because a lot is going on at this age. When your child is wandering all over the place, that means they’re learning and discovering new things every day. We’ll help them explore their interests (and find new ones!) as they play and learn.
Discovery Preschool Programs (2–3 Years)
This age is filled with so much wonder and curiosity. That’s why we offer a ton of books and toys and bring artwork down to kids eye level. Children in discovery preschool also begin to learn how we all work together in a classroom. Simple math and science, pretend play, and group play help them get used to a more structured school setting.
Preschool Programs (3–4 Years)
This age is all about expression, when kids really start to form their own ideas about what they want to play and how they want to create. Every day in our preschool classroom, your child will explore science experiments, create artwork, and play pretend—all the skills needed for their big next step: kindergarten!
Prekindergarten Programs (4–5 Years)
When you walk into one of our pre-K classrooms, you’ll see artwork and writing displayed around the room. Labels are everywhere to help kids connect letters with words. You’ll also see pictures on the walls that reflect the families in our community. Your child will also deepen their knowledge in language, math, science, Spanish, and social skills.
Kindergarten Programs (5–6 Years)
Welcome to kindergarten: the gateway to grade school and everything that comes next! Offered in select centers, our kindergarten programs have small class sizes and curriculums that mix learning and fun. The basic building blocks of reading, writing, math, and science are key in kindergarten, so we make sure they get lots of practice in all of these areas.
School Break Programs (preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age)
Winter break, spring break, summer break—when school’s out (but you still need to work), you can count on KinderCare to provide a safe and supportive learning environment that’s focused on fun. We welcome children ages 5–12 during school break times and make sure they have a sensational, screen-free experience they won’t forget.
Participating Child Care Aware Center
KinderCare partners with Child Care Aware® of America to offer fee assistance for Active Duty military families and flexible support to fit their needs when care at a Child Development Center on the installation is not available.
Learning Adventures - Enrichment Program
Cooking Academy™ (3 – 12 Years)
In Cooking Academy, kids learn new recipes from cultures around the world and develop a healthy relationship with food. They’ll whip up everything from Southwest rainbow lettuce wraps to pumpkin muffins, building their skills in STEM, communication, and more along the way. And yes—little chefs get to eat their culinary creations!
Music Explorers™ (2 – 4 Years)
KinderCare families are already giving a standing ovation to our newest Learning Adventures program: Music Explorers! Kids will learn to sing, move, listen, play instruments, and even create their own tunes. Our original curriculum blends math, science, social studies, literacy, and mindfulness (think yoga!) for a uniquely KinderCare way of learning the foundations of music.
Phonics Adventures® (2 – 4 Years)
Learning how to read is a whole lot of fun at KinderCare! We help kids grow to love books and words (and get ready for kindergarten) in our Phonics Adventures program. From discovering the basics of vowels to practicing poetry, kids learn all about letters and sounds in small-group lessons made just for their age group. (Bonus: Kids who attend our phonics program are more prepared than their peers for school—and we have the data to prove it.)
STEM Innovators (3-8 Years)
You’ve probably heard a lot about how important STEM education is for your child, but what does that really mean? Our STEM Innovators program takes kids’ natural ability to make sense of the world and applies it to robotics, chemistry, coding, geology, and more. While your child experiments, they’ll discover how to use technology to do amazing things!
Our Teachers
We're the only company in early childhood education to select teachers based on natural talent. Being a great educator isn't enough though. KinderCare teachers are also amazing listeners, nurturers, boo-boo fixers, and smile-makers. Put more simply, we love our teachers and your child will, too.
Meet just a few of our amazing KinderCare teachers!
A KINDERCARE TEACHER WITH
An Artist's Heart
"My classroom is full of art!” says Mary Annthipie-Bane, an award-winning early childhood educator at KinderCare. Art and creative expression, she says, help children discover who they really are.
We put our best-in-class teachers in a best-in-class workplace. We're so proud to have been named one of Gallup's 37 winners of the Great Workplace Award. When you put great teachers in an engaging center, your children will experience an amazing place to learn and grow.
Family Stories
Don't take our word for it. Hear what our families have to say about our amazing center!
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Our experience at Kindercare can only be described as fantastic! When looking for a daycare for our twins, we were very disheartened visiting daycares in the area until I went in to the Clark Kindercare. Everyone was super friendly from the Director to the teachers and even the kitchen manager. Leaving there I knew the Clark Kindercare would be a perfect fit for our kids. They started there at 11 months and are now finishing Kindergarten. Many of the challenges parents face were eased for us with the help of the teachers at the Clark Kindercare. Everything from eating real food to potty training was made easier for us with the help of their teachers. We drop our kids off at 6:30 a.m. due to our schedule and our kids ask for us to come late to pick them up. They love everything about the Clark Kindercare. When leaving, it takes about twenty minutes longer because our kids need to say good-bye to all their previous teachers. We will miss being there each day but am sure we will be back often to visit.
”Marcy H. - KinderCare Parent
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Like many other moms, I did my research in the Scotch Plains/Westfield area for daycares. Ultimately we decided on Kindercare to enroll our 3 month old because of the hours and the structure from infant up to preschool. Of course things may change between now and then, but I have been nothing but pleased with our experience there thus far.
The fact that they don't have motorized "babysitters" (aka swings) in the infant classrooms is a testament to the level of care they provide the babies. Their teachers are beyond wonderful. I would take them home if I could. They love the babies to the point of taking them from the carseat as soon as they arrive to not wanting to let go at the end of the day. That kind of warmth and dedication is what you want, especially when you're sad about going back to work.
The place is clean, the incident reports are helpful, the staff is happy and they're incredibly responsive to the parents' needs. That's all you want in a daycare.”Erica Jade - KinderCare Parent
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It's been almost 2 years since we started at KinderCare and sadly we are staying goodbye while I become a stay at home mom. I think it says something about the center that I tear up when I think about no longer bringing my son there. We have truly grown to love KinderCare and it is due in large part to the people. Every teacher my son has had has been wonderful and I love that we still see all his old teachers around the center. They still come up and talk to him and talk to my newborn daughter. It is like extended family!
As an infant, knowing that he had such excellent, nurturing care givers gave me so much peace of mind. As he has gotten older, I have watched him grow into this smart little person and although I would love to take all the credit, it is thanks in large part to KinderCare. I will remember for the rest of my life sitting in our basement one day as he stacked his blocks and counted them to 10 all by himself. I just stared at him shocked bc as much as I wanted my amazing parenting skills to take credit for that one, he learned it all at "school."
As a first time parent, I was admittedly anti-daycare center. After going with an in-home provider that was a complete disaster, I opened my mind to centers and I am forever thankful I did. KinderCare has been a partner in raising our child and we are so happy we found them!”Kris P. - KinderCare Parent
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It is hard to believe that this is our daughter's last week at KinderCare.
Words can't express how much our family appreciates the caring learning environment that our daughter has experienced this year. Mr. Miguel and Miss Samantha are amazing with the class (that's a huge understatement).
Thank you.”Mary P. - KinderCare Parent
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Dear Marilyn and Carol, Usually people only write letters to complain, but that is not the case for me. I wanted you both to know that my husband and I are extremely happy with everything about your KinderCare facility. We know that our children are extremely well cared for and learning way beyond what they were learning at their prior daycare. The Phonics program is amazing. In less than six months our daughter can recognize eighteen letter sounds. This is absolutely amazing! She enjoys learning and is so proud of all she knows. Thank you for all that you are doing for our child both in regards to education and caring.
”Michelle A. - KinderCare Parent
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My son's teacher wanted to know where my son attended Preschool. She was so impressed that he was so much further advanced than his classmates in Kindergarten. Thank you KinderCare.
”Danielle A. - KinderCare Parent
Who Are KinderCare Families?
They hail from hundreds of cities across the country from countless backgrounds, and proudly represent every walk in life. What our families have in common, though, is the want to give their children the best start in life. We are so proud to be their partner in parenting.
Hear from just a few of our amazing KinderCare families.
A Globe-Trotting Family Finds A
Home in Houston
Four young children, four different passports, two languages, two full-time jobs…oh, and a few triathlons thrown in for good measure. Meet the globe-trotting Colettas—a family on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accreditations does KinderCare have?
We are your trusted caregiver. Our centers are state-licensed and regularly inspected to make sure everything meets or exceeds standards, including child-to-teacher ratios and safe facilities. Our centers aren’t just licensed—most are accredited, too! Find out more.
Do you offer part-time schedules at Clark KinderCare?
Everybody’s schedule is different. We’re happy to offer quality, affordable part-time and full-time childcare. Drop-in care may also be available. Reach out to your Center Director to learn more.
How does naptime work at Clark KinderCare?
Our teachers meet every child’s needs during naptime. Our teachers know how to get babies to nap. In fact, they are pros at getting children of any age to nap. Visit our article on "10 Ways We Help Kids Get a Great Daycare Nap" to learn more.
Do you support alternative diets?
We strive to be as inclusive as possible. To that point, we provide a vegetarian option at mealtime, take care to not serve common allergens and can adapt menus based on your child’s food sensitivities. If your child has additional needs, we’ll work with you to figure out a plan.
Are meals included in tuition? Can I choose to send my child with lunch?
We provide nutritious meals and snacks developed by a registered dietician to meet the needs of rapidly growing bodies and minds. If your child has special dietary requirements and you would prefer to bring in their lunch, please make arrangements with the center director.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
Every child begins toilet learning at a different age. Until your child shows an interest in toilet learning, we’ll provide diaper changes on an as-needed basis. When your child shows an interest, we'll discuss how to work together to encourage toilet learning.