Commitment to children's creativity since 2008
Early Arts
MEET THE TEAM
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. Together, we bring warmth, continuity, and a deep sense of family to our classroom. Our complementary strengths and shared ideals create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and truly at home.
Mrs. Sonja - Lead Teacher & Program Director
Hi! My name is Sonja, and I’m the founder of Early Arts and an early childhood educator with a foundation in art and design. Each day I guide and learn alongside children ages 2–5 in a playful, creative environment where curiosity leads the way. I also teach after‑school art classes for children ages 5-12, encouraging imagination, self‑expression, and joyful artmaking.
I opened Early Arts in 2008 with the dream of creating a small, nurturing, art‑rich preschool where every child is truly seen. With over 15 years of experience, I bring a warm, relationship‑based approach to teaching, blending creativity, early learning, and the comfort of a home environment.
I came to New York from Croatia in 2000, carrying years of experience as an artist, B.F.A. Art & Design teacher, and art‑and‑book shop owner. After becoming a mother, I discovered my passion for early childhood creativity and earned my A.S. in Early Childhood Education. Since moving to New Jersey in 2008, I’ve been a Registered Family Child Care Provider with current First Aid and CPR certification. Today, my home is a State Certified Family Child Care Home and a Grow NJ Kids 4‑star rated program, also participating in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Miss Vanja - Assistant/Substitute Teacher
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 my Bachelors in Anthropology, after which I worked in the corporate world. I quickly realized I was much happier working with little kids, so I returned to Montclair State, where I am now completing my Master of Arts in Teaching Preschool through Third Grade, with a Teaching Students with Disabilities Certificate.
My lifelong connection to this school 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. 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 obtained through the Bergen County Division of Child Care Resources, which is the state-designated sponsoring organization for the county.
By selecting a provider with a New Jersey State Certificate of Registration, you can be assured that the provider and assistant has been fully screened - including fingerprinting, a comprehensive criminal and child‑abuse background check,and required health screening - and that the home is regularly inspected to ensure it meets all state health and safety requirements.
Also, beyond initial trainings, caregivers are required to participate in ongoing trainings and professional development that reflects the most recent research in child development and safety.
GROW NJ KIDS
Grow NJ Kids is New Jersey’s statewide Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), created to raise the quality of child care and early learning across the state. Participation is voluntary, and the goal is to create a system that encourages ongoing improvement.
Early Arts is proud to be a Grow NJ Kids 4‑Star rated program, reflecting our strong commitment to New Jersey’s quality‑improvement standards. By participating in Grow NJ Kids, we voluntarily meet higher expectations in curriculum, learning environment, family partnerships, health and safety, and ongoing professional development.
Our 4‑Star rating shows families that Early Arts goes above and beyond basic licensing requirements to provide a nurturing, high‑quality early childhood experience where children learn, grow, and thrive.
In other words, Early Arts Preschool meets high-quality standards, using a nationally recognized rating scale.
My son started Early arts when he turned three. He loved it and we loved having him there. Sonja's creativity and energy were unmatched. Individual attention, the variety of activities - indoors and outdoors, arts, nature, learning and developing relationships with other children at the scale that perfectly fitted his age. His creativity took off, and till now he has such ease of art expression. Unlike many pre-schoolers at his age, he did not start getting sick after starting Early Arts, and it is my firm believe that it was due to family-like group size. Early Arts was indeed like extended family. Thank you Sonja for those great years!
Kasia
Kasia
