After School the Kids are At Mr. Robert's

Hollywood once made a movie about men who run a day care program, but there's a place in Hoboken where that really happens. Since late November children in Hoboken have been spending time after school at the new At Mr. Robert's center run by owner Robert Mosley.

Mosley, a father of three, had been working in the pharmaceutical industry when he began worrying that he was spending too much time at the office and away from home. When his brother-in-law, an attorney, found he felt the same way the two left the corporate world to enter the aftercare business.

“It was difficult, two men starting a day care program, but we made it happen,” Mosley said. “Our children were able to come with us, which was the best part about it.”

Mosley and his brother-in-law first ran a program in a building on Seventh and Washington Streets but had to move when state regulators said they needed to find a larger place to supervise more children. They relocated to various churches, including Our Lady of Grace, before finally settling into the permanent home for At Mr. Robert's at 1422 Grand Street. Though his brother-in-law has moved on Mosley continues to run the program with his wife.

At Mr. Robert's currently serves almost 30 children, all between the ages of three to twelve. They come to the center after school and stay until their parents can pick them up after work, or 7pm. The center also takes children for the whole day on weekdays when school is closed.

The children can play games, and Mosley organizes other activities. But he said a major priority involves making sure the children are able to finish their homework.

“Parents pick up their kids late in the day and then the kids have to go to bed early,” Mosley said. “If the kids do their homework here those few hours at home could be used for family time.”

On warm days Mosley leads the children to parks and on field trips throughout Hoboken. During the summer he holds a 12 week camp featuring basketball, soccer, tennis and other sports.

Mosley said he believes the children he watches have responded well to his style of supervision. He said he aims to teach the children discipline and respect for others, and to also build a family atmosphere. That atmosphere inspired the program's name.

“The kids came up with it,” Mosley said. “They would ask each other, 'where are you going, where are you,' and they'd always say 'at Mr. Robert's'.”

As he has transformed himself into 'Mr. Robert', Mosley said he is satisfied with the change he made in his career.

“I'm happy, and I feel like I'm making a difference,” he said. “I feel good every day coming here and watching these kids grow up.”

Coming soon: a home decor store and a self-serve yogurt joint come downtown.

The Business Beat covers businesses opening, closing, renovating, relocating and celebrating anniversaries in the Mile Square. Have a Hoboken related business tip? Send an email to alanskontra@hotmail.com.