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Early Childhood

Where curiosity, connection and community begin.

From our infant and toddler classes through transitional kindergarten, we believe children learn best through play, discovery and authentic, hands-on experiences that invite them to explore, wonder, create, communicate and make meaning. At the JCC, learning happens through relationships, conversation, movement, creativity, exploration and meaningful experiences that honor each child’s unique way of understanding the world.

Our Philosophy

The JCC’s Brody Family Early Learning Center is committed to excellence in education and to providing a safe nurturing environment for all of our children. We offer a child-centered, emergent curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, supporting each child in the learning process as a competent, capable learner. The program is designed to allow children to flourish as they interact with both their physical and social environments.

From our infant and toddler classes through transitional kindergarten, our curriculum for each age group provides experiences that are meaningful and authentic and respond to the interests and creativity of children, families and educators. Our school celebrates many perspectives and integrates Jewish values into learning and living.

The Brody Family Early Learning Center is recognized as a model for JCC early childhood centers by JCC Association and the Sheva Center for Innovation in Early Childhood Jewish Education and Engagement. We utilize the Sheva Center Early Learning Framework, which includes seven Jewish lenses – core, universal values that can be part of the lived experience of children, educators, and families as well as seven core elements of early childhood education, influenced by multiple philosophies of early education and the most recent and highly regarded research on children’s learning, adult development, and an understanding of the needs of 21st century families. Learn about Sheva.

We view the partnership between our families and our school as essential and important. Our active, engaged Early Childhood Parent Committee (ECPC) provides opportunities for involvement in school events, classroom happenings, special projects and the giving of tzedakah (charity).

Designed for Children, Built for Exploration

Our spacious, light-filled classrooms are thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection. Each classroom offers inviting areas for children to explore, build, create, imagine, and learn through hands-on experiences that reflect their developmental needs and interests.

As part of the JCC, our children also have access to unique spaces and experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom. Children enjoy swimming lessons in our heated indoor pool, movement and play in our full-sized gymnasium, daily experiences on our expansive outdoor playscape and hands-on exploration in our working garden. These special spaces are an extension of the classroom, giving children opportunities to move their bodies, connect with nature, develop new skills, and experience the joy of learning in a variety of environments.

PROGRAMS AND PRICING

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

Infant and Toddlers

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Preschool

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The Village

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Teachers Who Inspire

Our Staff

Our Early Childhood team is comprised of certified and accomplished lead- and co-teachers who share a progressive early learning philosophy, and who bring knowledge, experience, and a deep commitment to their work each day. They are supported through ongoing professional development, collaboration, reflection, and opportunities to deepen their understanding of child development and best practices in early childhood education.

Qualified administrators, specialists, and learning coordinators provide support, direction and partnership for our educators, families, and children.

MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Early Childhood Policies

EARLY CHILDHOOD GUIDEBOOK 2026-27

Download the 2026-27 EC Guidebook

EC Guidebook 26-27_spreads
INCLUSION AND SUPPORT SERVICES

Our staff participate in extensive training on understanding age-appropriate developmental milestones, and we collect data on a regular basis to inform our teaching practices and provide individualized accommodations for children in need. 

Our Early Childhood program uses a team approach called the Chesed process which means “loving care” in Hebrew.  Through the Chesed process, we identify children with a higher level of need, make referrals and provide accommodations.

For more information about supports available in Early Childhood programming, please contact Beth Mitchell, Director of Inclusion and Diversity, at [email protected] or 908-889-8800 x203.

PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM CHILD ABUSE

At the JCC of Central NJ our Mission is to educate, enrich and empower our community- from generation to generation. The safety of children is the utmost priority at the JCC. Child Abuse Prevention takes an entire community and the JCC stands with our community, as our vision states. In our community, with our community, for our community.

The following is in place for all programs at our JCC that serve children. These protocols ensure that we protect your children while in our care, protect our staff and protect the JCC.

  • Criminal background, sex offender registry and reference checks are conducted on all staff prior to hiring.
  • Staff must agree and sign our Child Abuse Prevention Code of Conduct which remains in their employee file.
  • Staff are required to complete online Child Abuse Prevention training prior to their 1st day of work.
  • Staff are annually trained on Child Abuse Prevention.
  • All guests and vendors are screened when visiting the JCC through the Nationwide Sex Offender Database.
  • In order to protect the staff, volunteers, and program participants – at no time during a program may a staff person be alone with a single child where they cannot be observed by others. As staff supervise children, they should space themselves in a way that other staff can see them.
  • As part of our Culture of Safety Engagement Plan, we have established protocols for screening volunteers at the JCC. As an agency that serves children, developmentally disabled, and the elderly, this is best practice as outlined by our Insurer.
  • Volunteers are screened by the Program Director and referred to the Volunteer Coordinator to begin the volunteer screening process which includes, reference checks, national sex offender registry checks (ongoing), training, and supervision.
  • Our Children’s Services programs adhere to all guidance (including staff supervision ratios) set forth by the Department of Children and Families (Early Childhood and Afterschool at the J) and the Youth Camp Safety Standards and American Camp Association Standards (Camp Yachad). The standards set forth by these guiding bodies inform our policies and procedures.

As designated mandated reporters, the director(s) of all Children’s Services programs are required to report any instance of suspected abuse whenever there is reasonable cause.

Visit Us!

Schedule a private tour. Email Rachel Huber at [email protected].

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