The JRC Early Childhood Center provides a nurturing and stimulating environment to support children’s social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
Class Descriptions | About Our Program | Being a JRC Member | Visit Us | Save Money
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: 2019-2020
Sprout Shabbat Morning ProgramBirth–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 Class size: 6-10 children with caregivers & one teacher Tuition: $888 |
Shorashim—Roots2 years old by September 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. We introduce Judaic themes and holidays through simple songs, play activities, finger-play, process-art experiences, stories and puppets. We celebrate Shabbat every Thursday with challah, songs and movement. Day: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Time: 9:30-11:45am Class Size: 6-14 children with two to three teachers Tuition: $3,120 |
Nitzanim—Buds3 years old by September Social interaction and exploration through play are emphasized. Jewish holidays become the framework for an immersion in a rich, nurturing environment for experimentation with dramatic play props, art materials, literature, music and movement. Our classroom activities develop in partnership with the children’s interests and learning styles. We celebrate Shabbat each week on Friday morning with our JRC clergy. Day: Monday, Wednesday, Friday Time: 9:30am-Noon Class size: 10-16 children with two to three teachers Tuition: $4,500 |
Eytzim—Trees4 years old by September Social interaction and exploration through play are emphasized. Judaic values and themes are woven into a stimulating environment giving children the time and support to develop their own interests and ideas. Children’s peer relationships and their relationship to the larger community are nurtured through projects, exploration and dramatic play. The children’s growing interest and experimentation with reading and writing are supported with diverse materials and a rich environment of children’s literature. Children participate in our monthly intergenerational program, and the class celebrates a joyful Shabbat each week with our JRC clergy. Day: Monday through Friday Time: 9:15am-Noon Class size: 10-20 children with two to three teachers Tuition: $6,200 |
Additional ChildcareAdditional childcare is open to all enrolled preschoolers, Monday through Friday. Early Bird Lunch Enrichment
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Camp JRCSummer program for 3-5 year olds Camp JRC offers a fun, creative and educational program for your children during the summer. Each day will combine indoor and outdoor exploration activities and is designed to help develop an appreciation of nature and to learn about our environment. Teachers will alternate active and quiet play time that will include art, cooking, games, water and sand play, science, stories and singing. Dates: June 10 - July 26 Time: 9:15am - Noon Tuition: 3 Day Camp - $955 Early Bird Lunch Enrichment
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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
Schedule your tour of our Early Childhood Center today!
One of the best ways to make decisions about an early childhood program is to visit the classrooms and spend time talking with the teachers and the director. If you would like to schedule a visit, please contact Shelly Patt, Early Childhood Center Director, at [email protected] or 847-328-7678, x2227.
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.
