Our Program

Our School

The JCC Nursery School and Pre-K enriches a child’s natural love of learning and encourages growth in social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Our program offers a play-based, child-centered curriculum for ages 13 months through 5 years of age. Families of all faiths are welcome.

Our View of the Child

The child is viewed as a unique and complex individual, grounded in cultural heritage, and embodied with potential. To support these capable, curious thinkers, we provide a nurturing, engaging environment that will balance boundaries with freedom and discovery.

Schedules & Rates  Prospective Families

A Day at the Nursery School

• Nurturing teachers support child’s play by encouraging independence, creativity, inquiry, patience, and respect for others.
  
  
• A combination of hands-on learning experiences throughout the day that fosters the child’s inquisitive nature.
  
  
• A balance of child-initiated and teacher-directed experiences occur throughout the day that include individual, small group, and whole group interactions.
  
  
• Weekly music, movement, gardening and Jewish enrichment activities led by specialists to enhance the classroom curriculum.
  
  
• An environment infused with Jewish culture, values, and traditions. Jewish holidays and weekly Shabbat experiences are celebrated throughout the year.
  
  
• Large outside playground with equipment and materials to encourage physical motor play and ample space to explore and enjoy nature.
  
  
• Access to indoor gymnasium and tumbling equipment, giving children space to run and play regardless of the weather outside.

What Makes Our Pre-K Unique

• Provides smooth transition from a familiar preschool setting to the increased expectations of a kindergarten curriculum, all the while balancing the child’s growing independence and developing social skills.

• Second-floor suite reserved exclusively for Pre-K students with classrooms, designated lunch area, and Kindergarten Readiness Room.

• Robust Kindergarten Readiness program, led by a reading specialist, that engages small groups of students in pre-reading, pre-writing, and math activities several times each week.

• Seasoned teachers who understand the expectations of the upcoming kindergarten year. They offer diverse, hands-on experiences to hone children’s developmental skills and prepare them for a future of successful learning.

• Student-led presentations throughout the year to demonstrate new knowledge. Previous units have included: Art Appreciation & History, Louisiana, and Author’s Tea.

Sheva Framework 

 

Sheva is the JCC Movement’s early learning framework. Its seven core elements are firmly rooted in the latest research on child development. 

The number seven has extraordinary power in Jewish thought and practice. Because of its deep roots in Jewish tradition, the word Sheva, seven, was chosen as the name of our early childhood education initiative. 

 

7 Core Elements of Sheva

1. Children as Constructivist Learners
2. Early Childhood Directors as Visionaries
3. Early Childhood Educators as Professionals
4. Families as Engaged Partners
5. Environments as Inspiration for Inquiry
6. Discover CATCH as Sh’mirat HaGuf (taking care of our bodies)
7. Israel as the Story of the Jewish People