Leah Franco, Center Director
Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years
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Welcome to Denville KinderCare
Welcome to Denville KinderCare in New Jersey! Located off Christopher Columbus Highway, our innovative curriculum will teach your child literature, math, and dramatic play. Our teachers are highly trained in childhood education. Their passion for educating and nurturing children helps the students meet their emotional, behavioral, and intellectual needs. Our location is small, allowing our teachers to pay special individual attention to each child regardless of their background, experiences, or abilities. We love our families and meeting new friends!
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 Leah Franco, Our Center Director
At KinderCare Since: 2016
Education: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Elementary Education Teacher's Certification
Favorite Children's Book: Where The Wild Things Are
Meet Leah Franco! She is the Center Director at Denville KinderCare in New Jersey. Leah attended the University of Rhode Island, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree. She also attended Saint Peter's University, where she earned a Master's Degree. She also has a teacher's certification in Elementary Education. She has been with KinderCare since 2016, and before that she was a teacher and an assistant director. Her favorite quote is, "What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?" - Winnie the Pooh
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.
Denville 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.
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.
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.)
Spanish
Spanish Adventures provides young learners with a foundation for later success with the Spanish language. Music, games, children's Spanish literature, and other tools give children multiple opportunities to hear, practice, and see Spanish language to develop vocabulary and conversation skills. Curriculum includes lessons on greetings, numbers, colors, animals, family, body parts, and pets, as well as how to engage conversationally during common scenarios at home, a restaurant, or at the zoo.
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!
Pre-Phonics (ages 2.5)
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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I'm so pleased with my KinderCare Center that I wanted to send over some praise for the teachers and directors. My daughter, Annabelle, has been at the Denville KinderCare for almost two months now, and my husband and I couldn't be happier! We interviewed one other type of daycare before deciding on KinderCare and this was the right choice. It's the perfect size center and anyone we've come in contact with is very kind and welcoming. I feel secure leaving our daughter with them all week long and enjoy dropping her off and picking her up. You're greeted with smiles, not only from your child but from the staff and other parents. I'd like to acknowledge a few specific people we interact with daily. Karen and Dionne are very hands-on and are so sweet and easy to talk if we have any questions. We LOVE Annabelle's Infant room teachers, especially Ms. Nikisha, Ms. Kara and Ms. Kristin. And our daughter loves them too-greeting them with big smiles and giggles. Once, when I was taking her from Ms. Nikisha to bring her home, she started crying! That's praise for her KinderCare center right from the baby's mouth-she loves her teachers! So kudos to the Denville KinderCare team-they're like extended family!
”Jessica M. - KinderCare Parent
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Rohan, my son, joined this center as an infant in 2003 and continued until 2008 where he completed their kindergarten program. At that time, we decided to enroll our son at KinderCare because we got very good feedback from the Better Business Bureau on the center. We are so glad that we decided to enroll him in this center. The teachers worked so hard on the initial stages of the development, whether it is academic or social developmental skill sets. Every time we would get together with friends and families, they would give our son accolades for his intelligence and behavior, which I would sincerely give credit to the teachers of this institution. Ms. Dionne, Ms. Cara, Ms. Hilda and Ms. Karen, just to name a few teachers and staff members, exude excellence in early childhood education. This year my son graduated from Fernbrook Elementary School where he received the President's Award for Educational Excellence. I know Rohan’s teachers at Fernbrook Elementary School worked hard to help him achieve this award, but I would also attribute this award with the staff of KinderCare. They helped to build his early childhood education foundation which helped him achieve this award and get him to where he is today. My sincerest appreciation to Ms. Karen, Ms. Dionne and Ms. Cara for everything you have done for my son, Rohan!
”Leena - 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 Denville 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 Denville 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.