The Preschool at Rowan/Camden: Serving the Community One Child at a Time

Inside a buoyant, colorful preschool class here the smiling, giggling children of Camden represent the future and its promise of health, happiness and well-being.

The school, funded through the Camden Board of Education with state dollars, is one of several in the city aimed at giving children an early push in education.

"This program is designed to provide a smooth transition from home to kindergarten," explained Lorraine Ricchezza, the Rowan University at Camden preschool supervisor. "Because this program exists these children have opportunities they might not otherwise have."

The program is free and includes a full day of instruction, five days a week, plus activities, meals, even a uniform.

Funding for it exists because, as part of the landmark Abbott v. Burke court rulings which began in the 1980s, the state is required to help compensate many of New Jersey's urban public school districts.

Ricchezza said the Rowan program, with its 30-seat maximum, has a perennial waiting list.

"I can't say if it's because we're Rowan or because our reputation has grown so much (since the program's inception) these past six years but it's certainly popular," she said.

The Bank Street Model

Based on the well-known Bank Street Model, the preschool emphasizes hands-on learning and participation, instruction designed specifically for children in the 3- to 4-year-old range of preschoolers.

"The philosophy is pretty straightforward," Ricchezza said. "Children interact with materials in their environment. It may look like they're playing but they're actually learning math, reading, social studies, science, technology and, of course, creative arts."

The space of about 1,000 square feet is crammed with fun, colorful toys and learning areas. In addition to the many tiny tables and chairs there's a dramatic play area with kitchenette, an "alphabet carpet" for sitting, reading and playing, and a large block center where students learn math, science, fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination and other early lessons.

During breaks outside the children have recreational time in a playground area. Under the supervision of teachers and certified aides, they climb playground equipment, whiz about on tricycles and kick big rubber balls.

But don't think of it as recess. Even outside there are lessons to be learned and this one's called "gross motor play," a period in which children learn social skills and exercise while burning off pent-up energy.

Ricchezza said it's sometimes easy to forget the children are only three or four years old because of the progress they make but the feedback from parents is overwhelmingly positive.

"The higher you set the bar, the better off these kids are going to be," she said.

Service to Camden

The preschool program is but one of many offered at Rowan's Camden campus, 200 N. Broadway, in a handsome, five-story brick building.

The university also offers evening childcare services for children 3 to 12 years of age whose parents attend Rowan, Camden County College or Rutgers University.

In addition, Rowan at Camden offers a wide variety of for-credit college courses, maintains a vibrant English as a Second Language program, and conducts a pre-college program for high school students after school and on weekends.

"Rowan's mandate is to serve southern New Jersey and Camden happens to be a big part of southern New Jersey," Dean Eric Clark said. "We're very happy to be here. This is a case where resources are being applied to serve some of the greatest need."