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Apples & Books

Branchburg, New Jersey

About Us

Our Story

Family-owned and operated since 1995, Apples and Books Learning Center has been nurturing young minds in Branchburg, NJ for over 30 years.

A Family Legacy of Learning

Apples and Books was founded in 1995 by Bianca Labye, who dreamed of creating a nurturing place where children could learn, grow, and feel at home.

Today, Bianca's daughter Vanessa Carey and her husband Dan Carey proudly carry on that mission. All four of their children grew up in these classrooms, and now grandchildren are part of the next generation. Having raised our own family here, we understand what it means to entrust your child to someone else's care.

That's why we treat every family like our own. To us, it's not just a business - it's over 30 years of hard work, faith, learning, and community, and we're honored to share it with our local community.

Vanessa and Dan Carey, owners of Apples and Books Learning Center

Our Journey

1995

Founded

Apples and Books Learning Center opens its doors to serve families in Branchburg, NJ.

1996

Summer Camp Launch

Introduced our popular summer camp program for school-age children.

2000

Expanded Programs

Added before and after school care to serve more families in the community.

2004

Vanessa & Dan Become Owners

Vanessa and Dan Carey take ownership, continuing the family legacy of quality care.

2012

Grow NJ Kids Accreditation

Achieved Grow NJ Kids accreditation for quality early childhood programs.

2018

Back-Up Care Partnership

Partnered with Bright Horizons and Lifecare to offer employer-sponsored back-up care.

Today

Serving Families

Continuing our mission to nurture, educate, and inspire the next generation.

Our Values

These core values guide everything we do at Apples & Books.

Safety First

Your child's safety is our top priority. Secure facility, trained staff, peace of mind for every family.

Educational Excellence

Proven curricula like Creative Curriculum and Abeka prepare children for academic success.

Family Partnership

Daily communication, conferences, and open-door policies keep families connected.

Rooted in Faith, Open to All

We proudly offer Christian education as part of our curriculum, including daily children's Bible stories. Our goal is to promote good moral values and social interaction. Some examples are being kind and respecting others, sharing, and caring.

Before meals, our teachers lead the children in a short prayer to promote being thankful for their food. We joyfully celebrate holidays such as Christmas and Easter.

We also acknowledge cultural events like Diwali, Chinese New Year, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah in ways that focus on learning about traditions, food, music, and history, without teaching or promoting other religious practices. Our goal is to foster understanding and respect for the diverse families in our community.

We warmly welcome families of all beliefs and faiths. By learning about your family's beliefs, we can better support and honor them with respect.

Our Team

Meet the Heart of Apples & Books

Our dedicated team of certified teachers and caregivers bring years of experience and a genuine love for working with children.

Vanessa Carey

Vanessa Carey

Center Director

Dan Carey

Dan Carey

Business Director

Rini Abraham

Rini Abraham

Assistant Director

Mahua Ganguly (Mrs. G)

Mahua Ganguly (Mrs. G)

Supervising Teacher

Ms. Debbie

Ms. Debbie

Supervising Teacher

Our full team includes additional certified teachers, teaching assistants, and support staff who work together to provide exceptional care. Many have been with us for nearly 30 years.

Quality Assurance

Accreditation & Standards

We maintain the highest standards of quality and safety for your child.

Grow NJ Kids

3-Star Since 2012

New Jersey's quality rating system for early childhood programs. Our 3-star rating demonstrates our commitment to excellence in early childhood education.

GOLD Assessment

Whole-Child Tracking

We use Teaching Strategies GOLD to track development across 6 domains: social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, and math.

NJ State Licensed

DCF Licensed

Licensed by the NJ Department of Children and Families, meeting all state requirements for staff qualifications and safety standards.

Our Standards

CPR, First Aid & AED certified staff
Background-checked employees
Ongoing professional development
Creative Curriculum implementation
Regular safety inspections
Secure facility with controlled access

Come See Us

Schedule Your Tour Today

We'd love to meet you and show you around our facility. Schedule a tour to see firsthand why families choose Apples and Books.

Schedule a Tour