Straight & Narrow’s two early childhood education and learning centers provide quality
childcare to the children of Paterson’s low-income families. The first childcare
center, La Vida Child Care Center, was established in 1996 and is located at 396
Straight Street in Paterson. It serves children from birth through age 6. Based on
the community’s overwhelmingly positive response to this outstanding program,
Straight & Narrow opened La Vida Child Care Center Too in 1999. La Vida Too, located
at 116 Jackson Street in Paterson, is an Abbott preschool for three and four-year-old
children.
The mission of the two childcare centers is to provide superior early education for children.
This is accomplished in a loving and nurturing environment where the children’s physical and emotional
needs are continuously monitored by a staff of well-trained and dedicated professionals and
para-professionals. The goal of the childcare centers is to equip the children, who almost certainly
would not otherwise have such an opportunity, with the fundamental skills needed to begin school, and
ultimately, to provide them with the educational and socialization foundation that will carry them
through a rewarding and successful educational and life experience.
The childcare programs emphasize school readiness, parent involvement and the achievement of early
childhood developmental tasks. These objectives are implemented in a full-day program with a curriculum
that includes age-appropriate educational, social and recreational activities. Straight & Narrow’s
child care centers are open five days a week from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM to accommodate those parents who
have multiple responsibilities and/or work long hours.
