A Focus on PCCC’s Child Development Center

For over 26 years, the Passaic County Community College Child Development Center (CDC) has enriched the College community and the City of Paterson with outstanding early educational programs and daycare services for our littlest learners and their families.

Located on the PCCC Main Campus in downtown Paterson, the CDC offers free Pre-K for 3-and 4-year-olds to Paterson residents, a private (tuition-based) program for children 2 to 5 years old, and before- and after-care options for families that need extended hours.

The CDC’s staff of 28 includes the Executive Director, Assistant Director, a staff assistant, two family workers, a full-time nurse, seven teachers, eight assistant teachers, six teacher aides and a work-study student.

The CDC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children classes, (NAEYC) and has a four-star rating from Grow NJ Kids, a state-sponsored initiative to raise the quality of childcare by assessing facilities, administration, and education.

“Yet, there’s always room to grow,” says Karen Humphris, the ambitious new executive director of the CDC.  “We are working toward reaching five stars for our Grow NJ Kids 2027 assessment.” 

Born to the job, Ms. Humphris knew from a young age that working with children would be her future. She holds a master’s in education degree in early childhood leadership and administration from Kean University and has decades of experience in the early childhood field. Since 2011, she has been an adjunct professor at PCCC, teaching early childhood education, and took over leadership of the CDC in 2014.

“I love what we do here,” she says. “I love our team of dedicated teachers and staff. I love seeing the students grow during their time with us, and I enjoy helping families to learn along with us, and to help their children grow.  Our staff really aims to be the best we can by providing an environment that is safe and welcoming, and keeping up with best practices and quality interactions.”

A visitor to the CDC will discover a children’s haven with clean and cheerful classrooms, busy little students and their teachers engrossed in a project, offices, a kitchen, and an outdoor playground. Drawings and inspirational messages decorate the hallways, and smiles are plentiful.   

“Our philosophy is that children learn through play,” explained Ms. Humphris. “While kids are having fun in the classroom, they are also learning math, reading, and social skills through their activities,” she says.  “This establishes a lifelong love for learning.”

The CDC encourages families to be involved in their child’s education and offers regularly scheduled free workshops for parents, enabling them to explore more ways to support their child’s development and learn about topics such as nutrition, health, and safety.  “The parents really want to participate in the education of their children, so they appreciate these workshops said Ms. Humphris. 

She is also excited about the unique advantages of being located on a college campus.
“I love that the CDC can be a lab school for PCCC’s education, humanities, and nursing students.”  These students may come in and observe or teach the children about hygiene and self-care. Some of them spend most of the year with us and really learn to jump in and teach the children alongside the teachers.”

Similarly, college students who are on a work-study plan, especially those preparing for careers in child education, may spend several hours a week assisting at the CDC while also gaining hands-on experience in their chosen field. Having future nurses and teachers in the classrooms along with the regular CDC staff has clearly enriched the learning experience for the students. “When children from here go on to kindergarten, their new teachers tell us how well prepared they are,” said Ms. Humphris.   

In addition to building on the foundation of excellence already established at the CDC, the director has a dream of expansion. “I hope to add infant care to our programs,” she said. “Families have expressed interest, and it would offer an important service to the community.”   

Recognizing the need to grow on a professional level, Ms. Humphris participates in programs to advance her skills and learn about developments in her field. She was recently among 41professionals selected for the Exchange Leadership Initiative, a collective of peer-chosen leaders from various disciplines who are dedicated to early education and share ideas for improvement.

In February, Ms. Humprhis was also appointed to the inaugural team of the Jenga Advisory Council of Start Strong NJ, a statewide childcare advocacy group dedicated to securing “long-term, research-informed policy solutions to New Jersey’s child-care crisis.”

Ms. Humpries commented, ‘I’m honored to be chosen to serve on the Jenga Council and work alongside a great group of early childhood professionals.  Every child and family deserves access to high quality, affordable care, and every educator deserves fair pay and to be recognized as the everyday heroes they truly are.  I am excited to work towards a better system for New Jersey’s future generations.”  

To register your child or for more information about PCCC’s Child Development Center click here.

Written by Linda Telesco
Photos by Page Saunders