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Plainfield Public Schools Opens Its First Public Preschool: Plainfield Early Childhood Learning Center
PLAINFIELD, NJ – September 4, 2025 – In a historic milestone for early childhood education in Plainfield, Plainfield Public Schools (PPS) today officially opened the doors to its first public preschool, the Plainfield Early Childhood Learning Center (PELC), serving 132 students.
Located at 510 Grant Avenue, PELC provides free, inclusive early childhood education, welcoming both general education students and students with disabilities in fully integrated classroom settings. The center represents the district’s commitment to providing a strong foundation for all learners, starting at the earliest stages of education.
Superintendent Rashon K. Hasan, Ed. S., stated: "This early learning center represents more than just a building; it represents our commitment to giving Plainfield’s children the best possible beginning. Inside these walls, our preschoolers will explore, create, and grow. They will discover the joy of learning, guided by dedicated teachers who understand that when you shape a child’s first experiences, you ultimately shape their futures."
The purchase and opening of PELC brings critical flexibility to the district’s preschool programming, expanding opportunities for families across Plainfield. In conjunction with the new center, 11 classrooms previously housed at BUF I have been distributed among trusted community-based provider partners, ensuring continuity of care and collaboration across the early childhood landscape.
KeLee Brown, Director of Early Childhood, shared: "We believe every child deserves a joyful and nurturing start to their educational journey. Here, curiosity will be encouraged, creativity will be celebrated, and each child will be embraced for the unique learner they are. Our mission is simple, yet powerful: to plant the seeds of a lifelong love of learning and create a place where little hearts and minds can grow with confidence, kindness, and wonder."
Plainfield Board of Education President, Hanae M. Wyatt, remarked: "It takes a very special person to shape the minds of our little ones, and now we are in the position to further extend our work in shaping the minds of our youngest scholars as they grow within our district."
Sevcan Abedin, PELC Assistant Principal, added: "My personal mantra has always been ‘connection over everything,’ because when we lead with connection, everything else will follow."
Superintendent Hasan concluded the ceremony with a powerful message for the community:
"This ribbon cutting is simply just the beginning. We are lighting the way and ensuring that from the earliest age, Plainfield students are not only prepared for kindergarten, but they are prepared for life. As we cut this ribbon, let it be a symbol of hope, a symbol of progress, that every child in Plainfield will be seen, supported, and celebrated from their very first day of school."
The Plainfield Early Childhood Learning Center follows the acquisition of BUF I and BUF II, marking a visionary investment in the future of the district — supporting children, strengthening families, and creating opportunities for generations to come.
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For more information on the Plainfield Public School District or this story, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at information@plainfield.k12.nj.us or by phone at, (908) 731-4442.