Commitment to children's creativity since 2008
Early Arts: MEET THE TEAM
Two Generations, One Heart for Teaching
Passion meets expertise in our classroom!
At Early Arts, we are proud to be a mother and daughter teaching team united by a shared curiosity about how young children learn, create, and make meaning in the world. Our complementary strengths and shared ideals create a nurturing, art‑rich environment where every child feels seen, supported, and truly at home.
As native speakers of Croatian, we offer comforting bilingual support for children from our home countries who are learning English for the first time. Using their familiar language helps them feel secure, understood, and confident as they build new skills - creating a smooth, supported transition into English. Our English‑speaking children also become wonderfully curious when they hear us translate, asking questions, trying new words, and building early appreciation for other languages and cultures.
Miss Vanja
Hi, I'm Vanja. Early Arts has been part of my life since the day it opened — I was just five years old, growing up right here in our schoolhouse. This place shaped my childhood, and now I’m grateful to help shape the childhoods of others.
I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Montclair State University with a B.A. in Anthropology and later worked in the corporate world, but quickly realized my heart belonged in early childhood education.
Ms. Sonja
Hi, I’m Sonja — founder of Early Arts and an early childhood educator with a background in art and design. Since 2008, I’ve created a small, nurturing, art‑rich preschool where children ages 2–5 learn through creativity. Originally from Croatia, I brought years of artistic experience to the U.S. and later earned my A.S. in Early Childhood Education. My home is now a State Certified Family Child Care Home and a Grow NJ Kids 5‑star program, participating in USDA CACFP and accepting NJ CCAP subsidies.
I returned to Montclair State, where I am now completing my Master of Arts in Teaching (Preschool–Grade 3) with a Teaching Students with Disabilities Certificate.
My lifelong connection to Early Arts brings a deep sense of belonging to our classroom. I love helping create the same safe, creative, joyful environment that meant so much to me growing up — and I look forward to teaching our students, as well as learning from them.
STATE CERTIFICATION
The voluntary New Jersey Certificate of Registration for Family Child Care is issued through the Bergen County Division of Child Care Resources, the state‑designated sponsoring agency. Choosing a provider with this certificate ensures that both the provider and assistant have completed full state screening — including fingerprinting, criminal and child‑abuse background checks, and required health screenings — and that the home is regularly inspected for health and safety compliance. Caregivers also participate in ongoing training and professional development that reflects current research in child development and safety.
Grow NJ Kids is New Jersey’s statewide Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), designed to strengthen the quality of child care and early learning. Participation is voluntary and encourages programs to continually improve.
Early Arts is proud to be a Grow NJ Kids 5‑Star program, meeting higher standards in curriculum, learning environment, family partnerships, health and safety, and ongoing professional development. Our 5‑Star rating shows families that we go beyond basic licensing to provide a nurturing, high‑quality early childhood experience where children learn, grow, and thrive. In short, Early Arts Preschool meets high‑quality standards using a nationally recognized rating scale.
