Since 1996, Little Tykes has been Lodi’s trusted preschool, offering full-day Pre-K3 and Pre-K4. We follow New Jersey’s learning standards with the Creative Curriculum®, in a warm, nurturing setting.
Families value our small class sizes, extended hours, and real-time parent updates. As a family-owned center, we guide you through financial aid options so quality care is always within reach. Schedule a visit today and see the difference.
Little Tykes proudly uses The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, aligned with NJ state standards and trusted by educators nationwide.
At Little Tykes, preschool is more than school readiness — it’s a full learning experience. With the Creative Curriculum®, caring teachers, and real-time parent updates, your child builds confidence, friendships, and the skills they need for Kindergarten success — in a safe, nurturing environment that feels like home
Our preschool schedule blends hands-on learning, structured routines, and joyful play. Every day builds on NJ early learning standards through circle time, literacy, math, outdoor movement, and social development. With before- and after-care included, your child stays engaged, supported, and thriving from morning to evening.
Real words from real families who trust us every day.
Private enrollment ensures guaranteed placement, full-day coverage, and year-round continuity.
We’re open from 7:00 AM to 5:45 PM, Monday through Friday, giving families a full day of coverage with flexible drop-off and pickup times. Before and after-care are included for families enrolled privately, so parents don’t need separate arrangements or add-on services.
Our preschool program is designed for children aged 3 to 5 years old, with age-appropriate learning goals that prepare your child for Kindergarten and beyond. Please note that our friends must be potty trained prior to entering our preschool programs.
Yes—parents provide lunches and snacks. We’ll share simple guidelines so packing meals is easy, and we’ll ensure everything is labeled, stored correctly, and safe for all children in the classroom.
While public preschool follows the same Creative Curriculum framework, our program offers more:
Full-day care with extended hours
Lower staff-to-child ratios
Consistent teachers all year
Over 30 years of trusted experience serving Lodi families
Your child gets more structure, support and program stability with Little Tykes.
Families can enroll privately at Little Tykes at any time, which includes extended hours, year-round care, and small class sizes. Some towns also offer publicly funded preschool placements, determined by a district-run lottery process. If families receive a public preschool assignment, the District informs them directly.
Yes. Many families choose private enrollment while awaiting district assignments. Private enrollment offers a guaranteed spot, extended hours, year-round programming, and consistency.
If parents later receive a district placement, they may decide whether to transition or remain privately enrolled depending on what best fits their child and schedule.
District preschool placements, when available, are assigned through a district-managed application and lottery process. Families typically apply directly through the local registration office or district website. Placement at Little Tykes is NOT guaranteed by the district. For district information, please see the registration pages:
District Registration Pages:
Lodi, NJ – Lodi School District Registration
Garfield, NJ – Garfield School District Registration
Families often move forward with a private preschool enrollment while waiting on district decisions to ensure their child has a secure placement and full-day coverage.
👉 Learn more and book a preschool visit by clicking here.
District preschool programs typically operate on a standard school-day schedule. Families who need coverage before or after school pay separately. Check with your district for details.
At Little Tykes, before-care and extended afternoon hours are included as part of private enrollment, ensuring full-day coverage without additional fees.
Yes — we accept Child Care NJ (CCAP) and Work First NJ (WFNJ) financial assistance for eligible families. These programs determine the benefit amount and any family copayment. We are happy to help guide you through the process privately if needed.
Tuition varies based on schedule, age group, and financial eligibility. Book a visit and we’ll review options and estimated weekly rates together.
Book a visit by clicking here! We’ll give you a personal tour, answer your questions, and help with any paperwork — including district and assistance programs. Most families complete everything in one visit — we’ll make it easy for you.
Visit our Lodi preschool programs and explore private enrollment—before lottery decisions are announced.
