We will be offering hot lunches again beginning Monday, July 6th!  Please turn your menu in by Friday, July 3rd so we can place our orders.

Future Scholars is certified to remain open as an emergency childcare center under New Jersey's Executive Order 110.  We will continue to provide families with quality childcare during this time of uncertainty.  Under these new regulations, we will ONLY be permitted to care for children whose parent(s) work for an essential business at this time.  The approved list is included below for your reference.  We will be following much stricter guidelines in order to comply with social distancing and health and safety standards.  Please notify us if you will be needing childcare at this time.  As part of the COVID-19 emergency, the state is launching an Emergency Child Care Assistance Program (ECCAP) to help support child care costs when a parent or guardian is an essential employee, regardless of your income.  This could make a huge impact in the lives of many of you still working and trying to juggle finances and child care. All children MUST be registered through the state's ECCAP program in order to attend.

Who is considered an “essential person” under the Executive Order?
The list includes, but is not limited to:
• Health care workers, including staff working in health care facilities and in community-based services including home health and behavioral health;
• Law enforcement personnel, fire and emergency services personnel, and staff at correctional facilities;
• Individuals employed at operating child care centers as of April 1, 2020;
• Staff working for entities that provide essential social services, including, but not limited to, group home and shelter staff;
• Essential government employees who are unable to work from home, including child protection services workers, child welfare workers, foster care workers, unemployment compensation processing staff, and public health employees; and
• Essential retail business employees

• Grocery stores
• Farmers markets and farms that sell directly to customers
• Other food stores, including retailers that offer a varied assortment of foods comparable to what exists at a grocery store
• Pharmacies
• Medical marijuana dispensaries
• Medical supply stores
• Gas stations
• Convenience stores
• Ancillary stores within healthcare facilities
• Hardware and home improvement stores
• Banks and other financial institutions
• Laundromats and dry-cleaning services
• Stores that principally sell supplies for children under five years
• Pet stores
• Liquor stores
• Car dealerships, but only for auto maintenance and repair, and auto mechanics
• Printing and office supply shops
• Mail and delivery stores
• Restaurants, though only takeout and delivery.
• Mobile phone retail and repair shops
• Bicycle shops, but only to provide service and repair
• Livestock feed stores
• Nurseries and garden centers
• Farming equipment stores

The Commissioner of Children and Families, in consultation with the State Director of Emergency Management, shall have the discretion to make changes to this list based on the demonstrated need and capacity of child care centers.