Early Childhood Center
The JRC Early Childhood Center provides a nurturing and stimulating environment to support children’s social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
Early Childhood Class Descriptions 2020-2021
Early Childhood Enrollment for 2020-2021
Please contact Shelli Patt, Early Childhood Director, to find out more about our preschool!
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Program Year
Our September through June classes run for 36 weeks with two vacation weeks in December and one week in the spring.
Class Descriptions: 2020-2021
Garinim – Seeds Adult/TotBirth–2 years This class provides time for toddlers and parent/caregiver to spend a relaxing morning together in a warm, stimulating setting, with other children and a nurturing teacher. Art experiences, songs, and stories are offered, as well as an opportunity for exploration and play in a classroom and playroom. Jewish holiday songs and Judaic theme activities are introduced. This class offers a great opportunity for families to meet each other and share experiences. Shabbat is celebrated each week. Day: Fridays Time: 9:30-11:00am Full Year 2020-2021 Tuition: $900 |
Shorashim—Roots2 years old Shorashim is a transition class where each child’s separation process is individualized to support the transition to preschool and the development of relationships with teachers and peers. Parent/caregiver and child attend together at the beginning of the year until children feel secure and comfortable in the classroom and with their teachers. We then begin a gradual and respectful separation process. Through play, stories, and songs, children explore Judaic themes and holidays, and participate in activities that support social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Shabbat is celebrated each Thursday. Day: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Time: 9:15-11:45am Full Year 2020-2021 Tuition: $3,500 |
Nitzanim—Buds, Eytzim—Trees3 years old, 4 years old In our Nitzanim and Eytzim preschool classes, social interaction and exploration through play are emphasized as part of an emergent curriculum that is developed in partnership with the children’s interests and learning styles. Through a play-based developmental approach, literacy, math, science, art, music and movement are integrated into daily activities and projects. Jewish holidays and Judaic values form a framework for classroom activities throughout the year, and Shabbat is joyfully celebrated each week with our JRC clergy. 5-Day Nitzanim & Eytzim: Monday - Friday Time: 9:15am-Noon Nitzanim 3-day Full Year 2020-2021 Tuition: $4,500 |
Additional ChildcareAdditional childcare is open to all enrolled preschoolers, Monday through Friday. Early Bird Drop Off Lunch Extended Day Learn About Extended Day Options |
Camp JRCSummer program for 2.5-5 year olds Summer fun at Camp JRC includes indoor and outdoor play in a multi-age group with familiar classrooms and friends, and is led by early childhood teachers. Children spend much of the day outside in our nature playground, participating in water play, movement and art activities, nature explorations, and social interaction. When the weather doesn’t allow for outdoor activities, children play inside our Reggio-inspired classrooms, engaging in science, cooking, music, and other activities. Early Bird Drop Off and Lunch Extended Day options ARE available! Dates: Summer 2021 Time: 9:15am - Noon Returning Families Register for Camp HereNew Families Contact Us Here |
Printable Class Descriptions
About our Program
The JRC Early Childhood Center provides a nurturing and stimulating environment to support children’s social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
Everyone is Welcome
Classroom activities are developed by early childhood professionals who are in tune with our children and their families, and who are responsive to their diverse needs and interests. Our students and families come from all walks of life and diverse family structures.
Based on Progressive Jewish Values
Judaic values and traditions are woven into daily activities of fun, experimentation, creative play, and discovery. Jewish holidays and festivals provide a framework for exploration throughout the year, integrating traditions that promote kindness, giving, and justice. Through this exploration in our program—in activity centers, with art materials, songs, movement, playmates, teachers, parents, nature, and more—your child can construct the knowledge to interpret new experiences, develop Jewish identity, and, with their families, build a foundation for lifelong learning.
Relationship-Based Program
At JRC, our classroom practice is based on strong relationships with our students and families. Parents and family members are integrated into their child's preschool experience. Teachers rely on relationships with each other as education professionals to create a compassionate, safe, respectful environment in which children can thrive. The relationship between the Early Childhood program and the JRC community is a vital one, and Early Childhood registration includes membership in the congregation. Students and families can build a relationship with the Rabbi and Cantor as well as other members of JRC.
Reggio Emilia-Inspired
Children learn in an environment that is designed to foster exploration, inquiries, and curiosity using an emergent curriculum based on ideas and inspiration from the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
All of Our Early Childhood Families are Members of Our Congregation
Our intergenerational community embraces diversity, mutual support, heartfelt communication, and the incorporation of Jewish values and traditions in everyday modern life. JRC is proud to count all Early Childhood families as part of that community.
Financial pledges are an individual choice, and your contributions support not just the Early Childhood Center, but also important progressive programming and social justice initiatives. By supporting the congregation, we hope you will feel a sense of belonging in a vibrant, active community.
Some of the benefits of membership include:
- Access to JRC’s clergy for life cycle events for you and your immediate family, such as baby naming ceremonies
- The ability to make tuition payments and donations in our secure online system
- Eligibility to enroll your children in JRC's Religious School for Pre-K through High School students
- Free High Holiday tickets for the adults in your household (children don’t need tickets) and children's programming during services
- Invitations to festive social occasions, like our annual Hanukkah family service and potluck, kid friendly concerts, and summer beach Shabbat services
- Parents are encouraged to join committees and social justice task forces. You’re also eligible for election to our Board of Directors and have voting rights
Find Out More About JRC Early Childhood Center!
To find out more about JRC Early Childhood Center, and Preschool enrollment for Fall 2020, please contact Shelli Patt, Early Childhood Center Director, at spatt@jrc-evanston.org.
You can also view the preschool’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JRCEarlyChildhoodCenter/
Save Money through JUF Gift Vouchers
If you are enrolling your child in a Jewish Early Childhood Program, you may be eligible for a JUF Gift Voucher, ranging from $500 to $2,000, depending on how many days per week your child attends. The gift vouchers are made possible by the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.
