The Early Childhood Center at the J is dedicated to educating the whole child. We offer both an academic and a social/emotional curriculum, and our program is licensed and accredited. In addition to our student-driven school day, we offer dozens of "extra-curricular" activities on-site – swimming, yoga, dance, sports and more.
Our program is committed to providing quality care and education that embraces the development of children's minds, bodies and souls. We stimulate the minds of young children through innovative and individualized curriculum, implemented by a well-trained staff in a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment. One hundred percent of our Pre-K graduates are prepared for kindergarten as measured by a state developmental checklist.
The Early Childhood Center at the J provides year-round care for children ages six weeks to 5 years, Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Full time, part-time and combination schedules are available. J Day Camps are included during the summer months at no extra cost.
Two locations give parents in both the Creve Coeur and Chesterfield areas easy access to our program, and our children enjoy the benefits of all the J's facilities – including year-round swimming and physical education classes. We are one of very few Jewish parenting centers in the St. Louis community and our programs are open to people of all faiths as well as to J members and the public.
Visit us on the web for more information or to arrange a tour!
Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur.
Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.
The Saint Louis Science Center has expanded its Preschool Science Series to include new offerings for different age groups of young scientists. Storybook STEM is for ages 3 to 5.
At Free Family Saturdays at Craft Alliance, families create together in each of the Craft Alliance studios, exploring clay, fiber, metals and graphic arts. These free workshops are led by professional artists and are for families with kids ages 5 and up. They are open to the public and all family structures are welcome. Please dress for a fun and sometimes messy art experience!