Preschool
PRESCHOOL CHILD DEVELOPMENT & LEARNING
All of the classrooms in our Early Childhood Center use The Creative Curriculum®, a research-based framework, as a guide in setting up our environment, developing daily activities, planning our schedule and interactions, and directing our assessments. As part of developmentally appropriate practice, we believe in the importance of play. Play is an important vehicle for developing self-regulation as well as promoting language, cognition, and social competence. Children of all ages love to play, and it gives them opportunities to explore the world, interact with others, express and control emotions, develop their symbolic and problem-solving abilities, and practice emerging skills. Research shows the links between play and foundational capacities such as memory, self-regulation, oral language abilities, social skills, and success in school. - NAEYC Position Statements are available on the NAEYC website.
Preschool Openings
Interested in placement for our
2025-26 school year?
Sign Up Here
Our ECC Staff will contact you!
Toddler Program (18-Month & 2/3's)
During this time, toddlers become more physically coordinated, their language increases rapidly, they develop an interest in other children, and they become interested in pretend play. Our toddler classrooms will help your child begin to develop their emotional, physical, language, and cognitive skills while integrating critical social skills.
For our 18-month age group, we maintain a classroom ratio of 4 children to 1 teacher. A typical class size is about 8 children with 2 teachers. We do not require that children be potty-trained. Children who are 18 months old by March 1, 2022 are eligible for this program.
In our 2/3’s age group, we maintain a classroom ratio of 6 children to 2 teachers. A typical class size is about 12 children with 2 teachers. We do not require that children be potty-trained.
18-Month Program Options
- Full Day: M-F
- Extended Care Available
2/3's Program Options
- Half Day: M-F // Full Day: M-F
- Extended Care Available
3/4's Program
Our preschool is a place where children expand their world, learn, grow, and most importantly, have fun and build relationships. As they become older, they strengthen their physical skills, extend cooperative play, and enjoy activities that involve exploring, investigating, and stretching their imaginations. Our teachers encourage young children to experiment with materials in a nurturing environment while making discoveries and developing new cognitive, physical, language, literacy, and social-emotional skills.
In a 3/4’s classroom, we maintain a classroom ratio of 7 children to 1 teacher. A typical class size is about 14 children with 2 teachers. Children who are 3 before September 1 are eligible for this program.
3/4's Program Options
- Half Day: M-F // Full Day: M-F
- Extended Care Available
4/5's Program
As children continue in our ECC, their classrooms will provide opportunities to build on the learning of previous years by delving more deeply into studies or project-based learning and expanding social relationships in peer groups. During this stage of development, children’s imaginations are continuously sparked. Socialization brings new friendships, along with related challenges, as they learn to navigate the expanding world around them. We continue an emphasis on social/emotional learning while stimulating intellectual development, through shared decision making, social problem solving, and self-regulation of emotions.
For our 4/5’s, we maintain a ratio of 8 children to 1 teacher and a class size of about 16 children with 2 teachers. Children who are 4 before September 1 are eligible for this program.
4/5s Program Options
- Half Day: M-F // Full Day: M-F
- Extended Care Available
Individual & Special Needs
The JCC supports the participation of children with varying needs in our ECC program. It is beneficial for all children to have the chance to socialize with each other as friends. Our goal is always to support the individual needs of every child in our ECC programs. In order to provide a safe and rewarding experience for all children in our program, children with differing behavior needs, exceptionalities, and any type of written plan or diagnosis will require a meeting with ECC directors prior to registration. This meeting will address individual needs and help us partner with each family to ensure that your child has a great experience. Families may be required to provide additional documentation to help educators understand your child’s individual needs.
Learn More
For more information, to schedule an intake meeting, or if you are uncertain if your child would qualify, please contact: ECC Director, Teresa Cereska, at tcereska@slcjcc.org
- Space is limited so that we can continue to provide a quality experience for all children.
Cost
Depending on your child’s individual needs, a basic fee of $250 may be assessed to make the accommodations necessary to provide them with a safe and rewarding experience, or parents may be asked to supplement the child’s experience.
