Despite public outcry, Rowan University’s Early Childhood Demonstration Center (ECDC) has closed its doors for good. 

As of Aug. 31, 2025, the university made the decision to end the preschool program, which spanned several years, and people want to know why. Signs point to the recent statewide initiative to increase the number of free preschools, but the truth is potentially much more simplistic: the funding simply is not there. 

Governor Phil Murphy has proposed an over $126 million decrease in state funding for New Jersey’s four-year colleges and universities. As a result, Rowan has been forced to make cuts wherever it can. According to the Rowan Sweeney Center for Public Policy, New Jersey is currently experiencing a three-year fiscal deficit, and the hits don’t stop there: an additional 8% cut in state funding has been proposed for FY 2026. 

“The closure stemmed from a combination of factors,” said Gaëtane Jean-Marie, dean of the Rowan University College of Education. “Enrollment in recent years did not return to pre-pandemic levels. While the ECDC remained a beloved and high-quality program, the numbers made it increasingly difficult to sustain financially. This was a key factor in the university’s decision.” 

Dr. Angela Cirucci, an associate professor of communication studies, attested to the manner in which Rowan administrators managed the whole ordeal as well as the hardship this move has caused. 

“There were no real resources given. They may have given a list of local daycares, but I am already aware of them. I do know that the now-laid-off director [Carla Rowe] asked if she could open her own private preschool and rent the space, and Rowan told her no,” said Dr. Cirucci. 

As a mother, Dr. Cirucci found that her son, who attended the preschool for two years, absolutely loved the student teachers and staff. While it’s heartbreaking for a child to lose their friends, equally devastating are the financial burdens and worries put on the parents.  

“It goes beyond financial. It really is more about quality. The daycares in the area just do not compare and are often more expensive,” said Dr. Cirucci.  

Another parent affected by the closure is Dr. Timothy Vaden, a professor in the chemistry and biochemistry department, who, in the past, has enrolled both his son and daughter in the ECDC. 

“We were given no notice other than an announcement by email that came as a shock and surprise to everyone, including the staff,” said Dr. Vaden. “We are lucky because our son is going to kindergarten, but if he still needed preschool, it would have been extremely difficult and stressful to find a local preschool.” 

Despite Governor Murphy’s vow to open more free preschools, the effort has shown little success so far.

“The Rowan ECDC was less expensive than any private preschool by at least $10 per day. From what we saw when we decided to send him to ECDC, other area preschools are about $50 to $100 more per week than the ECDC,” said Dr. Vaden. 

There are additional factors out of a parent’s control that affect their ability to choose a preschool, not the least of which is the dreaded waitlist.  

“It is also worth noting that most preschools have a waiting list, and so even considering the extra money, there is no guarantee he could find space in a quality preschool,” said Dr. Vaden. 

Adjunct photography professor, Keith Yahrling, utilized the preschool while it was in operation, and he found their help to be indispensable. 

“My son, Arlo, absolutely loved attending ECDC. The staff always worked so hard to create such a warm and welcoming environment. Without a doubt, they contributed to his learning and growth. He also made lots of friends and literally still has pictures of his friends from Rowan in his room,” said Adjunct Professor Yahrling. “If not for Rowan, we would have been paying double the cost for daycare without any of the accreditation that the ECDC had.” 

The Rowan community flocked to the Rowan ECDC Instagram page to express their discontent with the closure, recounting tales of how much the center meant to their children over its decades of operation. Many also emphasized that those Rowan students who enrolled their kids in the preschool could not have completed college without the facility. 

“My understanding is that the preschool had been operating at a deficit for a few years, and the administration felt that there wasn’t a good way to close that,” said Dr. Bill Freind, Senate president of Rowan University. 

Former Director Dr. Carla Lowe started an online petition to raise awareness and garner support to maintain the preschool’s operational status; that petition, which at the time of publication has earned 2,401 verified signatures, can be found here, at change.org. Sadly, the school was unable to come up with the additional funds, despite the pushback. 

“You know, my youngest child is 22, and childcare was difficult and expensive when he was little. It’s gotten much, much worse now,” said Dr. Freind. 

Students and professors alike are at a loss, as well, as they’ll now have to spend time and energy vetting new preschools for their affordability and quality of education. In higher education, grants and government funding are everything. Be that as it may, Rowan no longer has a preschool. 

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