Business Details
11 Years
experience
Trusted Child Care in Livingston, NJ
Founded in 2015, Little Explorers Early Learning Academy began as a home-based family daycare in Livingston, NJ, driven by the founder's vision to create a nurturing environment combining high-quality early childhood education with the warmth of home care. Our balanced approach integrates Nature-Based, Reggio-inspired, Waldorf, and Montessori methodologies to foster individualized learning. With low child-to-adult ratios and small group sizes, we prioritize personalized attention, ensuring each child's social, emotional, and educational needs are met.Serving ages 6 weeks to 13 years, we emphasize kindergarten readiness, evidenced by our alumni's success in public schools. Our 10.4-acre wooded campus offers expansive outdoor learning spaces, while UVC sanitizing equipment ensures health safety. Affiliated with West Orange Early Education Program and GrowNJ Kids, we maintain 150+ combined years of staff experience. We celebrate diversity through monthly events and provide on-site enrichment classes, staying open year-round with minimal closures to support working families.
Services
Early Childhood Education
Infant Care
Preschool Programs
Enrichment Classes
Nutritious Meals
Summer Camp
Before/After School Care
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We maintain lower child-to-adult ratios for personalized attention and reduced behavioral issues
- Our 10.4-acre wooded campus provides unique outdoor learning and exploration opportunities
- UVC sanitizing equipment ensures 99.9% pathogen elimination without chemical use
- Proven 100% kindergarten readiness with assessments exceeding public school standards
- 150+ combined years of staff experience with mentorship for new educators
Associations and certifications
- GrowNJ Kids
- Lead Free Certification
What people say
Safe and loving place
Warm environment
Thriving in learning
Exceptional care
Confidence building
Services
Early Childhood Education
Our research-based curriculum blends Nature-Based, Reggio-inspired, Waldorf, and Montessori approaches to create individualized learning experiences. Certified teachers adapt lessons daily to match children's interests while meeting state standards. This holistic approach prepares children academically and socially for kindergarten success.
Infant Care
Specialized infant care focuses on sensory development and secure attachment through one-on-one interactions. Our trained caregivers follow personalized schedules for feeding, napping, and play while maintaining strict safety protocols in a dedicated, age-appropriate environment.
Enrichment Classes
On-site enrichment programs include Kiddie Soccer and Little Hearts Gymnastics taught by qualified instructors. These classes develop motor skills and social interaction while eliminating transportation needs. Group discounts available for enrolled families.
Nutritious Meals
Daily meals and snacks are prepared fresh in our commercial kitchen following a dietitian-approved menu. We accommodate dietary restrictions while teaching healthy eating habits through family-style dining experiences that promote social development.
Summer Camp
Our summer program offers structured outdoor activities on our 10.4-acre wooded campus. Weekly themes combine nature exploration with academic concepts while maintaining our standard safety protocols and low child-to-staff ratios.
People
Ms. Katie
Founder & Director
With over 15 years in early childhood education, Ms. Katie established Little Explorers to combine home-care warmth with center-based quality. Her leadership focuses on innovative curriculum development and maintaining the academy's founding values.
Mr. Ryan
Co-Director
Bringing administrative expertise to complement the educational vision, Mr. Ryan oversees operational excellence while ensuring family-centered care remains central to daily operations.
Ms. Amanda
Assistant Director/Chef
Certified nutrition specialist and early childhood educator Ms. Amanda manages meal programs and classroom operations, ensuring nutritional excellence aligns with educational goals.
Ms. Andrea
Infant Teacher
Early childhood specialist with 12 years' experience, Ms. Andrea creates nurturing environments for infants, focusing on sensory development and secure attachment through personalized care routines.
Ms. Renee
Master Teacher
With 30+ years' experience, the late Ms. Renee exemplified compassionate care, mentoring staff while building deep connections with children and families before her passing in 2023.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We care for children from 6 weeks through 13 years, offering age-specific programs with appropriate staff qualifications for each developmental stage.
How do you support kindergarten readiness?
Our comprehensive curriculum exceeds state standards, with proven outcomes showing 100% kindergarten readiness through individualized assessments and skill development.
What safety measures are in place?
We use UVC sanitizing equipment for 99.9% pathogen elimination, maintain low ratios, and have secure outdoor spaces with 24/7 monitoring systems.
Do you provide meals?
Yes, we offer fresh, dietitian-approved meals and snacks daily, prepared on-site using locally sourced ingredients in our commercial kitchen.
What are your operating hours?
We operate year-round with minimal closures, offering consistent care aligned with working families' schedules while maintaining educational continuity.
How do you involve families?
Regular parent events, daily communication updates, and family-style dining experiences foster strong partnerships between staff and families.
Reviews (7)
Peter Collazo
Oct 02, 2021
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My kid went here for two weeks. He had some issues transitioning. The real issue, though, was that he attended the second week for literally 3 hours and we were charged for the whole week. Mind you, we kept him home because he became ill after contracting RSV at this daycare. And youre thinking, that could happen at any daycare. Sure, but this one does not require masks for children and the staff person I spoke to felt perfectly fine unmasking herself to speak with us. All in all, this place is trash. We couldnt get our kid out of there quick enough.
Alyssa Antonucci
Sep 23, 2021
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I dont even know where to begin to describe my love and the absolute trust I have for the entire staff at Little Explorers. My girls, who are now eight and seven, are alumnis who started at LE when they were four and three. When I went for my tour prior to enrolling them, I met with the owner Katie and I felt such a sense of comfort trust that I hadnt felt at any other center that I toured. My girls absolutely thrived during their time there. They were both extremely prepared for kindergarten (knowing their letters, numbers, and starting basic reading skills etc). The core staff that has
Jessica Garcia
Sep 18, 2021
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My son has been attending Little Explorers since he was 2 and loves it! He looks forward to learning and playing with his friends. The staff is very friendly and warm towards the children. The kids get a ton of outdoor time which is so important. The center has taken all necessary covid protocols and have kept the children safe the entire time. The director is engaging and kind. I highly recommend this center.
Nancy Barker
Sep 06, 2019
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We just moved to New Jersey and were looking for a new daycare for our daughter. They came highly recommended and are completely different than the big name daycares that were in my old town. We are getting lower ratios, better education, and a more family oriented school for basically that same we were paying before. It's great!
Allison Tallman
Aug 13, 2019
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Our daughter is so happy at L.E.! She is learning so much and making a ton of friends. Her teachers are extremely caring and knowledgeable. We just love Ms. Karen & Ms. Carmella, as well as all of the other teachers and staff at L.E.! As a teacher myself, I can tell that Ms. Katie has worked hard to put together a meaningful, research-based, and current early childhood curriculum. It's good to know that our daughter is in good hands all day while mommy & daddy are at work. :)
Michael Lamden
Jul 31, 2019
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This daycare started as a home daycare in West Orange and grew by word of mouth. You can tell because the way they treat you is like family. The owner is very hands on and shows her love and support for each of the kids that go there.
Hilario Campin
Jul 29, 2019
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I would recommend this daycare to anybody looking in the West Orange or Livingston area. We tried a different daycare before enrolling our child here and felt that she was not getting enough one-on-one time with the teachers. We could not be more happy with our choice, everybody at Little Explorers shows so much passion for helping our little one.
