Ben Samuels Children’s Center

The Ben Samuels Children’s Center at Montclair State University has a dual mission.  The first is to serve young children and families as a model of excellence in inclusive early care and education. We are committed to exploring and implementing the best practices of teaching and learning in a nurturing environment where all children learn, play and grow together.  The second element of our mission is to mentor future generations of professionals through partnerships with academic programs across the university and through research that contributes to the field of inclusive early childhood education.

In support of this mission, we have created a community where:

-Children of differing abilities, needs, cultures, ethnicities, means and family structures are provided with developmentally appropriate care, curriculum, and services and where families, staff and university students understand and embrace the value of that diversity.

-Families of children enrolled in the Center are provided with support, assistance and resources in the care and education of their children.

-Students from a wide range of our university academic programs gain hands-on experiences in the best practices in early childhood education and development in an inclusive environment. They share their talents and areas of expertise alongside our transdisciplinary team of professionals and the Center’s children and families.

-Center faculty and students engage in observation, inquiry and reflection in child development, early education, inclusive learning and other related areas.