FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does my child need to be immunized to attend the ECC?

The ECC requires all children to be fully immunized in accordance with the Utah Department of Health.

I'm interested in the JCC, but I'm not Jewish...

There is no requirement that families, children, or even teachers be Jewish. We welcome families from all backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs.

Is religion taught in the classroom?

Jewish culture and tradition are essential aspects of all our classrooms. We celebrate many Jewish holidays as part of our curriculum. Our celebrations and observances include stories, music, art, and cooking. We also observe Shabbat every Friday in individual classrooms and as a group with the Shabbat specialist who celebrates almost every week with our older children. In a diverse world often filled with religious strife, the JCC offers a place where Jewish traditions are taught and celebrated in a healthy, inclusive, and non-proselytizing manner.

Most importantly, our values-based curriculum teaches children how to interact in respectful ways with peers, nature, and their community. Our curriculum includes various learning experiences to explore universal human values through a Jewish lens.

Although we do not celebrate non-Jewish holidays in our classrooms with activities or lesson plans, we respect everyone’s holidays and allow children to share the excitement and dialogue surrounding each holiday observed in their homes. There is no requirement that families, children, or even teachers, be Jewish. The majority of our ECC families come from other religious, or non-religious backgrounds. Everyone is welcome!

How do you approach non-Jewish holidays?

Although we do not celebrate non-Jewish holidays in our classrooms with activities or lesson plans, we respect everyone's holidays and allow children to share the excitement and dialogue surrounding each holiday celebrated in their homes.

What is the curriculum and development assessment tool?

The foundation of our program is based on Teaching Strategies® Creative Curriculum® which is a comprehensive, knowledge-based, developmentally appropriate approach to learning that supports 36 goals and objectives to help children grow cognitively, emotionally, physically, and socially. Based on research, theory, and knowledge of early childhood education, Creative Curriculum® allows teachers to design successful classrooms by creating productive learning environments, teaching essential skills and learning concepts, using intentional teaching strategies, and building strong partnerships with families.

 What are the family participation requirements?

While we do not require participation, we value family partnerships, and opportunities exist for parents/guardians to become involved in our classrooms or other events throughout the school year.

What are the teacher to child ratios?

18 Month
Ratio: 4 to 1

2/3's
Ratio: 6 to 1

3/4's and 4/5's
Ratio: 8-9 to 1

What is Sheva?

Sheva (the number seven in Hebrew) has extraordinary power in Jewish thought and practice. It is the name of the JCCs of North America Early Learning Framework, and signifies the seven core elements of exemplary early childhood practice, deeply rooted in the latest research on child development seen through a Jewish lens. Throughout our classrooms, you will find an emphasis on the Seven Core Elements of Sheva- children as constructivist learners, early childhood directors as visionaries, early childhood educators as professionals, families as engaged partners, environments as inspiration for inquiry, Discover CATCH as Sh’mirat HaGuf (taking care of our bodies), and Israel as the story of the Jewish people.

Do I need to be a JCC member to enroll?

We require a JCC Family Membership for all families enrolled in the Early Childhood Center. Aside from the preschool, the JCC offers a first-class fitness facility that includes two swimming pools, summer camps, Club J and community programs—all of which are available to you as a member.

Join the JCC

For membership inquiries, please contact Michelle Oelsner, Director of Membership Services, 801.581.0098 ext 115 or moelsner@slcjcc.org.