WelcomeWe’re thrilled that you’re considering enrolling your child in one of our programs. Choosing the right place for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Let us help you in this process by giving you the information you need to ensure that you make the best choice possible for your child and family. So, what are the crucial components of a great early childhood center?

(518 ) 689-0039 | 340 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12208 | www.AlbanyJCC.org

Early Childhood Center at the Albany JCC

A Friendly, Supportive Community Every child is different, with strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, good days and bad days. We celebrate those individual differences, and help our children learn from them. Through group activities, one-on-one interactions, and exploratory child-directed play, together we create community, and bonds that often last long past childhood. And, we acknowledge that sometimes, others need our help, and as part of a community, we can do simple things to brighten someone’s day. Some of our recent projects include:• Birthday Bags for needy children in

our region• Cards for seniors in nursing homes• Blanket and shoe collections for those

in need

Teachers They’ll Remember One of the hallmarks of our program is our exceptional teaching staff, many who’ve been with us for ten years or more. Through ongoing professional development, and a wealth of experience, they create interesting, challenging and supportive lessons, classrooms, and programs that help each child grow and thrive in his or her unique way. Our teachers’ goal is to instill a love of learning in your child, an appreciating asset that they’ll take with them wherever they go.

A Place to ExploreChildren are naturally inquisitive, and we continuously offer new ways where they can quench their wonderful curiosities. Our curriculum allows them to learn about themselves, the world around them, and the richness of Jewish life, all in an atmosphere of respect, joy, love, and safety.

Our fundamentals include:• Social development• Building self-esteem, social interaction,

self-control, conflict resolution skills, self-help skills, and friendship

• Cognitive development• Early literacy, foundational

mathematics, science exploration, music, language development, and creative arts

• Physical development• Motor development, personal

hygiene, nutrition, movement, and safety

Celebrating DiversityWhen you walk through our halls, peak into our classrooms, or work out in our fitness facility, you’ll notice one thing right away – our community is a representative of the larger community outside of our walls. While here, your children will interact daily and make friends with people from faraway lands, who practice a variety of faiths, and come from lots of different kinds of families. This is our world today and treating each other with respect, while celebrating and learning about our differences is central to who we are as an organization; it is what we hope to pass on to the children here, and what we hope for in our vision of a more peaceful and just world.

Every day, your children learn something new, discover something wonderful, and try something incredibly fun while here in our center. Whether in the classroom, auditorium, playground, pool, or gym, they’re growing and gaining confidence in new found skills. Here are just a few of exciting opportunities that your children will enjoy every week:• swim lessons in our warm, indoor pool

• music appreciation with our talented teachers• gym time in our large, light-filled gymnasium where

they can run, kick balls, and play with parachutes all year long

• nature study in our nursery gardens• wonderful outdoor time in our 4 large playgrounds• Shabbat and holiday celebrations with interesting

activities and ethical lessons

Room To Discover and Grow

We believe that the sooner that you start on a healthy lifestyle, the more apt you’ll be to continue that way. And, as parents and educators, we are the ones passing along ideas about that to the children in our lives. Physical fitness is a critical component of staying healthy, both in body and mind, and our way of helping you achieve that is by including a Family

Membership to the JCC with every enrollment. Take classes, swim laps, work out on a treadmill-whatever works for you, we have it here. And, best of all, you get to play with your children in our pools all year long. It’s a wonderful way to start your whole family on the road to strength and well-being.

Health as a way of life

Early Childhood Center at the Albany JCC

340 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12208

(518 ) 689-0039 | www.AlbanyJCC.org

We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading about what we offer at the Early Childhood Center at the Albany JCC, and that you have gained some insight as to what is most important when choosing the right place for your child. Our belief is that every child deserves a wonderful start, so we offer competitive pricing, and many options for education and care. We also offer scholarships based on need and invite you to apply.

Please stop in for a tour or call to find out more about our full and half-day programs for children ages 2 months through kindergarten. We look forward to meeting all of you very soon.

A place for all

Sharon Mudge, Director of Early Childhood Services

Angela Gibson, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Services