Meet Our Founder

Barbara Doyle

Barbara Doyle began her career as a First Grade and Kindergarten teacher in Newark, New Jersey, where she was part of the city’s original Head Start Follow-Up Program. A graduate of Rutgers University, Barbara went on to become a respected leader in early childhood education, serving as Past President of the New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children and Past President of the Mid-Atlantic Region, National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Barbara owned and operated Growing Tree Nursery School in Lyndhurst, NJ from 1978 to 1996. The North Plainfield location—open since 1988—was originally founded in Warren, New Jersey before becoming the long-standing community school it is today.

With a visionary and innovative approach, Barbara created a preschool environment that offers children a rich, developmentally appropriate early learning experience supported by a highly qualified and nurturing staff. Her commitment to excellence continues to shape the foundation of Growing Tree School and prepare generations of students for success in school and beyond.