From infant care through Pre-K, Santa Fe Centers provides full-day childcare and early childhood education in a nurturing, play-based environment where children learn, explore, and build confidence every day. Our programs are designed to support children through each stage of development while giving families peace of mind that their child is in a safe, engaging, and caring environment.
Located in New Providence, NJ, Santa Fe Centers has proudly served local families for decades by combining educational childcare, meaningful relationships, and plenty of opportunities for children to discover the world around them. Every program is thoughtfully designed to encourage curiosity, creativity, independence, and social growth while helping children develop the skills they need for future success.
If you’d like to learn more about our philosophy, our educators, and what makes Santa Fe Centers unique, visit our About Santa Fe Centers page.
Why Families Choose Santa Fe Centers
Choosing a childcare provider is one of the most important decisions parents make during their child’s early years. Families aren’t simply looking for supervision during the workday. They’re looking for a place where their children feel safe, valued, encouraged, and excited to learn.
Santa Fe Centers offers educational childcare in a welcoming environment where children are encouraged to learn through play, explore their interests, build friendships, and develop confidence. Our experienced educators partner with families to create meaningful learning experiences that support every stage of early childhood.
Families choose Santa Fe Centers because we provide:
- Full-day childcare for infants through Pre-K
- Experienced, caring educators
- Play-based early childhood education
- Large outdoor learning spaces
- Enrichment opportunities included for enrolled families
- Individualized attention in every classroom
- Strong communication with parents
- A locally owned childcare center that has served New Providence families for generations
Every classroom is designed to help children build social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills through hands-on exploration and meaningful daily experiences.
Promoting Emotional Growth Through Excellence in Care
We promote children’s growth socially, emotionally, and intellectually while working toward excellence in care. Every day, children participate in hands-on learning activities as they explore the world around them and experiment with a wide range of materials designed for discovery and creativity.
Our classrooms encourage children to make choices, solve problems, express themselves, and develop independence at their own pace. These experiences help children gain confidence while strengthening communication skills, cooperation, and emotional resilience.
Foreign language, vocal music, and fitness programs are incorporated into our curriculum to provide a well-rounded educational experience that supports the whole child.
Children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate new ideas, and participate in activities that promote both individual growth and collaborative learning.
Outdoor Learning That Encourages Exploration
Outdoor play is an important part of every child’s day at Santa Fe Centers.
Our Pre-K campus sits on nearly an acre of land with multiple outdoor play areas that allow children to run, climb, dig, explore nature, and stay active throughout the year. Children spend time outside during every season whenever weather permits because outdoor experiences help support healthy physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
From planting gardens to sledding in the winter, our outdoor spaces encourage curiosity, imagination, and active learning.
Our unique fitness program also includes assessments that help us monitor each child’s physical development while encouraging healthy movement through age-appropriate activities.
Outdoor learning helps children strengthen:
- Gross motor skills
- Coordination
- Balance
- Confidence
- Problem-solving abilities
- Cooperation with peers
- An appreciation for nature and the environment
These experiences complement our classroom curriculum while giving children opportunities to learn through exploration and movement.
Full-Day Childcare Designed for Busy Families
Families today need childcare that provides consistency, flexibility, and meaningful educational experiences throughout the day.
Santa Fe Centers offers full-day childcare programs that combine nurturing care with engaging learning opportunities. Daily routines help children feel secure while providing plenty of time for free play, teacher-guided activities, outdoor exploration, meals, rest, and social interaction.
Our programs are thoughtfully designed to support children from infancy through Pre-K, allowing them to grow within a familiar environment as they reach new developmental milestones.
Parents appreciate knowing their children are spending each day learning, playing, and building relationships in a safe, supportive setting while they manage work and family responsibilities.
What's Included in Our Childcare Programs
Every Santa Fe Centers program is designed to support children’s overall development through meaningful experiences that encourage learning and exploration.
Families can expect:
- Age-appropriate educational activities
- Hands-on learning experiences
- Daily outdoor play
- Sensory exploration
- Music and movement
- Social and emotional development
- Language-rich classroom experiences
- Science, art, and creative play
- Fitness programming
- Foreign language opportunities
- Experienced educators who understand early childhood development
- Ongoing communication with families
Each classroom provides children with opportunities to build independence while developing the foundational skills needed for future learning.
Infant & Toddler Childcare
Our goal at the Infant and Toddler Center is to provide children with a family-like atmosphere where they spend their days in a loving, relaxed environment that supports healthy growth and development.
We work closely with families to create routines that meet each child’s individual needs while encouraging consistency between home and school.
We welcome infants beginning at 12 weeks of age.
As children grow into active toddlers, they are encouraged to explore freely in safe, thoughtfully prepared environments. Instead of spending long periods in swings or bouncy seats, children have opportunities to move, discover, and interact with their surroundings while caring teachers provide encouragement and support.
Teachers introduce child-directed activities that encourage language development, sensory exploration, fine motor skills, and early social interaction.
Children regularly enjoy activities such as:
- Water play
- Sand play
- Painting
- Music
- Story time
- Sensory exploration
- Movement activities
- Outdoor experiences
Our infant and toddler educators recognize that every child develops at their own pace. Through responsive caregiving and meaningful interactions, children build trust, confidence, and the foundational skills that prepare them for the next stage of learning.
Infant & Toddler Center
1441 Springfield Avenue
To learn more about enrolling your child, please visit our Contact Page to schedule a tour or speak with our team.
Pre-K Childcare Program
Our Pre-K program prepares children for kindergarten while continuing to emphasize curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and confidence.
Children participate in experiences that support social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development across every age group.
Each classroom is organized around thoughtfully designed learning centers that encourage both independent discovery and collaborative learning.
Learning centers include:
- Art
- Science
- Music and movement
- Sensory exploration
- Building and construction
- Mathematics
- Literacy
- Dramatic play
Throughout the day, children strengthen early reading, writing, math, and problem-solving skills while developing the self-confidence needed for future academic success.
Children also practice:
- Letter recognition
- Number concepts
- Writing readiness
- Scissor skills
- Critical thinking
- Cooperative play
- Communication
- Self-regulation
Our goal is for every child to build independence, responsibility, and confidence while developing the academic and social skills that help create a successful transition into kindergarten.
Pre-K Groups
- Caterpillars: 2.5 years – 3.5 years
- Butterflies: 3.5 years – 4 years
- Pre-K: 4 years – 5 years
Located at 1496 Springfield Avenue
(Across from our Infant & Toddler Center)
Summer Childcare & Camp Programs
Summer at Santa Fe Centers gives children the opportunity to continue learning while enjoying new experiences, outdoor adventures, and creative activities.
Each summer features an engaging theme designed to encourage exploration and imagination. Past themes have included topics such as world cultures, the Olympic Games, and animal habitats, allowing children to discover new interests through hands-on learning.
With nearly an acre of outdoor space, children spend plenty of time enjoying activities such as:
- Nature exploration
- Gardening
- Bike riding
- Outdoor games
- Water play
- Creative movement
- Group activities
- Free play
Summer camp is available with both full-day and half-day options.
Registration is open to all families, although current families, alumni, and siblings receive enrollment priority.
Enrichment Opportunities
Learning extends beyond the classroom at Santa Fe Centers.
We offer enrichment classes at no additional cost for enrolled families, providing children with opportunities to explore new interests while supporting their overall development.
Enrichment experiences complement our classroom curriculum by encouraging creativity, confidence, movement, and social interaction.
Depending on the program and age group, enrichment opportunities may include:
- Music
- Fitness
- Foreign language
- Creative expression
- Special classroom activities
These experiences help children discover new interests while making every day engaging and enjoyable.
To learn more about current enrichment offerings, visit our Enrichment Programs section or speak with our staff during your visit.
A Typical Day at Santa Fe Centers
Every day at Santa Fe Centers is thoughtfully planned to provide children with a balance of learning, play, movement, rest, and meaningful interactions. While schedules are adjusted to meet the needs of each age group, every classroom follows consistent routines that help children feel comfortable, confident, and ready to learn.
Our educators create opportunities throughout the day for children to explore new ideas, develop friendships, and practice important life skills through engaging, age-appropriate activities.
Why Early Childhood Education Matters
The first five years of life are among the most important for a child’s development. During this time, children build the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills that become the foundation for future learning.
At Santa Fe Centers, we believe children learn best through meaningful experiences that encourage curiosity, exploration, and play. Every activity, conversation, and interaction helps children develop confidence while strengthening communication, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
Our educational approach supports children as they learn to:
- Build positive relationships
- Express thoughts and emotions
- Develop independence
- Strengthen language skills
- Explore early math and science concepts
- Practice critical thinking
- Gain confidence in new situations
By combining nurturing care with engaging educational experiences, we help children develop the skills they need for kindergarten while fostering a lifelong love of learning.
If you’d like to learn more about our educational philosophy and our commitment to children’s development, visit our About Santa Fe Centers page.
Supporting Families Every Step of the Way
Choosing a childcare provider is a significant decision, and we believe families deserve open communication, experienced educators, and a welcoming environment where children feel supported every day.
Our team works closely with parents throughout each stage of their child’s development, building strong partnerships that help children thrive both at home and at school.
From your child’s first days in our Infant Program through Pre-K graduation, we’re committed to creating meaningful experiences that support learning, confidence, and joyful childhood memories.
Schedule a Tour of Santa Fe Centers
The best way to experience Santa Fe Centers is by visiting our classrooms, meeting our educators, and seeing our programs in action.
During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Tour our Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K classrooms
- Meet members of our teaching team
- Learn about our educational approach
- Explore our outdoor learning spaces
- Ask questions about enrollment, availability, and daily routines
We invite you to contact Santa Fe Centers to schedule a tour and discover how our childcare and daycare programs help children learn, grow, and thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Santa Fe Centers welcomes children beginning at 12 weeks of age through our Pre-K program. Our classrooms are designed to support each stage of early childhood development with age-appropriate learning experiences and individualized care.
Yes. Santa Fe Centers offers full-day childcare programs that provide a balance of educational activities, outdoor play, meals, rest, and opportunities for social and emotional development throughout the day.
Santa Fe Centers combines nurturing childcare with a play-based educational approach, experienced teachers, enrichment opportunities, and spacious outdoor learning environments. As a locally owned childcare center, we focus on building lasting relationships with families while supporting every child’s individual growth.
Learn more about our philosophy on our About Santa Fe Centers page.
Our educators work with families to determine the best program based on a child’s age, developmental stage, and individual needs. We encourage parents to schedule a tour to learn more about each classroom and ask questions about enrollment.
Getting started is easy. Simply contact our team to schedule a tour, learn about current availability, and discuss the program that best fits your child’s needs.