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!


Take your family to watch birds of prey fly right over your head, meet the wonderful bird ambassadors of the World Bird Sanctuary up close and much more.
At this free art program for ages 3-6 the focus is on the process of making art rather than the finished product. Dress to get messy!
Kids Art Night Out at Yucandu Art Studio features a new creative project each month, ranging from mosaics, to collage, printmaking, glitter, clay and more.
Splash and play with your little one in this fun morning activity. No registration is necessary.
Bring your little ones to the Chesterfield Aquatic Center for Tot Time. Kids ages 0-5 can splash and play in the leisure pool with their peers. Older children ages 6-11 are welcome when they are accompanied by an adult and younger children. Open to residents and non-residents. Reservations are not needed.