Early childhood education can play a significantly positive role in a child’s social skills and learning development. Finding the right early childhood center in St. Louis can be challenging. With so many options out there, it can be hard to narrow down the best option for your child. Let’s make it easy for you. The J’s Early Childhood Center stimulates a child’s mind with interactive programs, sensory experiences, and, most of all, fun! Here are 10 reasons why the J could be the right Early Childhood Center in St. Louis for your child.  

1. We Educate the Whole Child

Life (and growth) is about balance. We help your child thrive in that sweet spot by offering the perfect balance of active and quiet activities in both individualized and social settings. 

The J’s fully-accredited Early Childhood Education Program is spearheaded by our team of highly trained teachers and directors. Our staff implements the Project Construct method, where children use a “hands-on, minds-on” mentality in their learning environments to understand new concepts and acquire new skills.  

This approach allows children to have immersive and enriching experiences. In turn, they have a better chance of becoming more well-rounded in social and educational settings. 

2. There Are A Wide Range of Accredited Programs

There is no shortage of things to do at the J. By joining the Early Childhood Center, your child is allowed to attend swimming and fitness classes all year round!

Also, the J has a wide variety of extracurricular activities that you can enroll your young child into. Children from six months to pre-K can join additional classes for dance, baseball, swimming, and more. 

At the J, we are all about the St. Louis community. Our Early Childhood Center in Creve Coeur partners with the Adult Day Center and the NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) to provide integrative and enriching programs for seniors and toddlers. 

3. All Are Welcome

We operate under the belief that every human being is created “b’tzelem Elohim,” or “In God’s image.” The J welcomes all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, color, citizenship status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, financial income, physical abilities, veteran status, and more.

While we are deeply rooted in Jewish beliefs, we also welcome families of any religion. Everybody deserves a nurturing environment to make new friends and learn new abilities. The J’s Early Childhood Center offers a safe space in a diverse environment that is open to all. 

4. Individualized Care All Year Round

Many early childhood education programs in St. Louis are offered seasonally. While helpful in some months, these part-time programs might not be enough support for working families. The J is open all year round with age-appropriate and relevant activities and lessons that will educate and entertain your child.

Every day is a new exciting one for your little one. We find the right balance of sticking to a core curriculum while adapting it to meet the specific needs of your child. Our team will work with your child one-on-one and in groups on concepts that they need to develop further while incorporating activities that your child will enjoy. 

5. It’s Easy to Collaborate with Teachers

We are grateful for the opportunity to educate your child. However, parents are still the primary educator. Parents hold a lot of merit in affirming a child’s belief system and modeling their behavior. 

While we intend to create a safe space to help nurture your child, we are doing so in collaboration with the parent. We want your feedback, including your opinions about what your child should be learning. 

Our team members establish relationships with families to learn about the child’s lives when they leave the J. This helps us cater our services to help your child be as well-rounded as possible. 

We want parents to feel involved every step of the way. That’s why we use LifeCubby, an online communication portal where parents get regular updates on lesson plans, activities, videos, pictures, and more. 

6. Healthy Meals are on the House 

There’s always so much going on in the household. We understand that packing food for the day is a time-consuming chore for many parents. 

No need to worry about sending your child off with a nutritious meal. The Kitchen J has your back! 

Breakfast, lunch, and a late afternoon snack are all included in the price of tuition. We have a wide variety of yogurt and baby food to ensure your child is receiving high-quality nutrition.

As the child ages, we have exciting (and healthy) solid food options, too, including soups, spaghetti, homemade chicken strips, whole grain pancakes, and more!

7. Scholarships Are Available

All children deserve the same opportunities to grow and learn as their peers. We try very hard to make sure our services are available for children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. 

We are very grateful that the J receives generous funding from the Jewish Federation of St. Louis and United Way. As a result, we are able to provide scholarship assistance to families who can demonstrate a need. 

In addition, the J accepts financial assistance. Please contact one of our locations to learn more about these options. 

Lastly, as families grow, so do their needs – and financial burdens. That’s why we also offer sibling discounts when you enroll multiple children in programs at the J. 

8. What We Do Here Helps Out At Home, Too

The St. Louis community is one big extended family. We want to make sure all families have the best chances for success and happiness. 

That’s why the J offers many support systems for families. For one, we lead by example by employing Conscious Discipline in our teaching styles. 

The team is highly trained in using Brain Smart strategies to help with conflicts. These problem-solving skills help your child respond to real-life situations more appropriately, including in the household.

The J believes that any child, regardless of physical limitations, should receive the equal amount of stimulation that any other child would receive. So, we partner with Belle Children’s Services of St. Louis Arc, Jewish Family & Children Services, and The Learning Disability Association to create inclusive programs that support the child and family. 

9. Flexible Scheduling for All

Things are always changing in our everyday lives, it’s good to have a constant. The J is that constant for your family. Whenever you need us, we are here. 

We offer flexible scheduling that includes full-time and part-time enrollment. This will ensure that your child still receives a well-rounded education and adequate quiet time during the day. 

In addition, the J’s Early Childhood Center has two convenient locations, including in 

Chesterfield and Creve Coeur. 

In a pinch? We also offer KidZone Babysitting for parents who need a few hours to work, catch up on their sleep, or grab a bite together! 

10.  A Long-Standing History in the St. Louis Community

It is important that you trust the educators that are watching your children. The J has been a pillar in the St. Louis community for over 130 years. 

Since 1880, the J has continued to evolve. We have become a multigenerational gathering spot for entertainment, education, and social interaction. It’s where people from six weeks to 100 years come to learn from one another, build lifelong bonds, and discover the best version of themselves. 

Discover the J difference for yourself. Inquire about an Early Childhood Center Tour today.