JCC Early Learning Annex

JCC Early Learning Annex offers JCC exceptional curriculum, philosophy, parent community and JCC connections for those who want partial day preschool.  

Early Learning Annex Features

• For 2½s, 3s and 4s
• Classes are at Congregation Beth Israel (CBI), 1920 Cliffwood Street (18 Shalom Way) in Scotch Plains - down the block from the JCC
• Hours are 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Use of the CBI's outdoor play yard and their spacious multipurpose room for music, communal programs and enhanced Jewish learning
• Weekly community Shabbat celebrations
• Weekly music and gross motor skills specialty programs
• Social programming for Early Learning Annex parents
• Participation in all Early Childhood parent events, social action projects and school events
• For 3s and 4s: class-wide swim instruction included during the spring (one 6-week session for 3s and 2 6-week sessions for 4s) outside of normal class time.  

Check out our Grown-up and Me winter classes here.

Our Philosophy and Program Features

We believe that all children deserve a program that provides a safe and nurturing environment which promotes their physical, social, emotional and cognitive development while responding to the needs of families.

We believe that children need to connect with their natural surroundings and learn to appreciate the world and take responsibility for the earth. Outdoor time is an essential part of our day and we go outside daily unless weather conditions become unsafe.

Our students engage in our school’s exploration of Jewish traditions, culture and holidays. They participate in weekly Shabbat gatherings and Jewish books, songs, and rituals are incorporated into daily experiences.

Block exploration is at the heart of our Early Childhood classrooms. Research conducted over decades shows that children who play with blocks significantly benefit. On any given day, you can expect to see our children building, negotiating, exploring scientific concepts and developing reflection skills. When children play with blocks, they are learning to use oral language, develop eye-hand coordination, create patterns and make decisions and choices. Children will also explore engineering and design concepts while expanding their imaginations.

Our classrooms are designed as spacious learning centers, allowing the children to make choices as they learn and play. Classrooms allow for small and large group activities and are set up to explore materials  and help to foster learning in areas such as language, math, science and social development.

Throughout the day, children participate in large and small groups. Teachers strive to build upon the thoughts and actions of the children while utilizing the curriculum to guide instruction.

For more information contact Sarah Koffler, Assistant Director of Early Childhood, at [email protected].

Typical Day at the School for 2½s, 3s and 4s

• Arrival
• Small group instruction and individual work time
• Morning meeting, story and snack
• Block exploration / outdoor time
• Lunchtime
• Reflection meeting and goodbye

Preschool

• The core of our preschool program is based on the belief that each child is competent and capable.
• Children, as natural learners, are full of potential and are guided to explore and question their environment in order to engage in authentic learning.
• We incorporate Creative Curriculum, a national research-based program which enhances children’s experiences through high-quality materials, training programs, developmental assessment, staff development and resources for parents.
• In an effort to connect the experiences between the children’s home and school life, we strive to nurture positive family relationships. Our teachers send weekly photos, videos and learning stories onto Playground, our school communication site.

Grown-up Me Jump Start

This is a joyful first step into the world of school! This class is designed for young children and their grown-ups to explore, play, and learn side-by-side. Together, you’ll dive into hands-on activities that spark creativity and build important early skills like sharing, problem-solving, and coordination. Children will build, do art, sing songs, listen to stories, and have rich sensory experiences that nurture social, fine motor and gross motor development.

With their grown-up nearby, children gain confidence and comfort in a classroom setting, all while making new friends and discovering the joy of learning through play!

These sessions are designed to help children transition into a school setting. Grown-ups will stay with their child the majority of the time and participate in activities. 
Program will include:

• Welcome Circle
• Singing
• Sensory Play
• Outdoor Play