By: Richard L. Smith
In several warm and welcoming classrooms nestled within Augusta Preschool, children’s laughter mingles with the gentle encouragement of caring teachers. Individual student artwork fills the space, each piece paired with meaningful teacher feedback that celebrates and supports each child’s development.
The joyful sounds of children speaking, listening, and learning in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole echo throughout the rooms, creating a vibrant and inclusive learning environment.
These are not just scenes of joyful learning—they’re the heartbeat of Irvington Township’s award-winning Early Childhood Program, led with passion and precision by Director Tawana Moreland, M.Ed.
During an exclusive interview, Director Moreland offered an inside look at what is undoubtedly one of New Jersey’s most dynamic early education initiatives.
With a combination of strong district leadership, highly qualified and well-supported teachers, and a clear mission, Irvington’s Early Childhood Program is setting the bar high for what early childhood education can and should be.
“Families trust us to provide high-quality programming that supports each child’s development in a fun and loving atmosphere,” Director Moreland shared during our tour. “You can trust us to deliver top-notch care that nurtures growth, learning, and joy every day.”
A Program Built on Purpose and Community
At the heart of the program is a deep commitment to inclusivity, quality, and whole-child development.
The Early Childhood Department currently serves over 1,200 preschoolers across the district and operates out of Augusta Street Preschool—home to the district’s largest preschool site, educating 320 students daily.
Under the guidance of Superintendent Dr. April Vauss, the program’s mission is clear:
“We are dedicated to understanding and meeting each child’s intellectual, social, and physical needs through age-appropriate, child-centered, and active learning practices,” said Dr. Vauss. “Recognizing the family as the cornerstone of a child’s development, we are committed to collaborating with families, stakeholders, and the broader community to ensure every child’s success.”
This dedication is reflected in the highly coordinated staff that supports the program, including Early Childhood Supervisor Lia Varsalona, seven preschool instructional coaches, six PIRS coaches, three preschool social workers, three early childhood nurses, and a team of support staff—secretaries, a fiscal specialist, a community parent involvement specialist, a technology coach, and a medical clerk.
The effort is collective, and it’s relentless.
“Recruitment is a team effort and truly everyone’s business in the department,” said Director Moreland. “We hit the ground running and don’t stop until every preschooler in the township has a spot in one of our well-equipped classrooms supported by certified, trained teaching staff.”
Why This Program Stands Out
Irvington’s Early Childhood Program is part of the legacy of the landmark Abbott v. Burke New Jersey Supreme Court case, which mandated high-quality preschool programs in 31 low-income districts—including Irvington.
This legal foundation has ensured a steady stream of investment and oversight, allowing Irvington to build a program that doesn’t just meet standards—it exceeds them.
Recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education as a legacy district, Irvington is one of only five districts across the state that has consistently met its preschool enrollment targets.
Acknowledging this success, the NJDOE invited Director Moreland to share Irvington’s effective strategies and best practices with other legacy districts—further establishing the program as a statewide model for high-quality, inclusive early childhood education.
Writing for the National Institute for Early Education Research at Rutgers University, Katherine Hodges described Abbott as “perhaps the most educationally significant litigation for low-income and minority children since Brown v. Board of Education.”
And Irvington has embraced this responsibility with full force.
The Irvington Preschool Program uses the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-3) annually to evaluate, measure, and strengthen best practices across all classrooms.
This nationally recognized tool supports continuous improvement by ensuring high-quality teacher-child interactions, well-organized and engaging learning environments, and developmentally appropriate instruction.
And the district doesn’t stop at evaluation—it invests heavily in teacher training, offering Praxis test preparation support for aspiring teachers and substitutes who want to make Irvington their permanent teaching home.
“We want every educator who enters our preschool program and works with our scholars to be well-equipped, passionate, and prepared,” Moreland emphasized.
A Seamless Path Forward
The district’s success continues well beyond preschool. With a commitment to continuity and growth—it’s about where students go next. Transitioning students and families into kindergarten and beyond is a carefully orchestrated process, aided by a dedicated Early Childhood Transition Committee that ensures every child receives the continued support they need to thrive.
And with Superintendent Vauss’ district-wide focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, the seeds of innovation are being planted early.
Last week, I was honored to attend Director Moreland's professional learning community meeting titled “STEAMing Ahead” with nearly 100 instructors via Google Meet. The training focused on integrating STEAM into early childhood education and aligning these foundational skills throughout a scholar’s educational journey.
Teachers explored best practices, heard from guest presenters from Rita L. Owens STEAM Academy and community representatives, and reflected on real-world applications of STEAM in early learning, including gardening projects. The session concluded with a tribute to Katherine Johnson, the celebrated NASA mathematician, as part of Women’s History Month.
Accessible, Inclusive, and Multilingual
As the township becomes more diverse, inclusivity remains a cornerstone of Irvington’s mission.
The Early Childhood Preschool Program serves children across the district in schools such as Berkeley Terrace (8 classes), Grove Street (5), Madison Avenue (8), Mount Vernon (7), and University Elementary (2).
In addition to district-run sites, the program partners with five contracted provider/Head Start programs in the community to ensure access to high-quality preschool for all eligible children. The program is trilingual, supporting Spanish, Haitian Creole, and English-speaking families—reflecting the rich cultural landscape of Irvington today.
Families are also invited to attend events like the Registration, Health, and Wellness Fair, on April 26, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 97 Augusta Street parking lot, which underscores the district’s commitment to holistic child development.
“We’re not just preparing children for school,” Moreland said. “We’re preparing them for success.”
Enroll Today – Your Child’s Future Starts Here
With Open Enrollment now underway for the 2025–2026 school year, the district is encouraging families to take the first step toward a brighter future.
All 3- and 4-year-olds residing in Irvington are eligible for this free, full-day preschool program. Families can pre-register online through the district’s website. Once pre-registration is complete, parents will be contacted to schedule an in-person appointment and finalize their child’s enrollment.
For more information, contact the Early Childhood Registration Office at 973-399-3942 ext. 1514 or 1515.