1. Welcome
We’re thrilled that
you’re considering
enrolling your
child in one of
our programs.
Choosing the right
place for your child
is one of the most
important decisions
you’ll make. Let
us help you in this
process by giving
you the information
you need to ensure
that you make
the best choice
possible for your
child and family.
So, what are the
crucial components
of a great early
childhood center?
(518 ) 689-0039 | 340 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12208 | www.AlbanyJCC.org
Early Childhood Center
at the Albany JCC

3. A Friendly, Supportive
Community
Every child is different, with strengths
and weaknesses, likes and dislikes,
good days and bad days. We celebrate
those individual differences, and
help our children learn from them.
Through group activities, one-on-
one interactions, and exploratory
child-directed play, together we
create community, and bonds that
often last long past childhood. And,
we acknowledge that sometimes,
others need our help, and as part of a
community, we can do simple things to
brighten someone’s day.
Some of our recent projects include:
• Birthday Bags for needy children in
our region
• Cards for seniors in nursing homes
• Blanket and shoe collections for those
in need
Teachers They’ll
Remember
One of the hallmarks of our program
is our exceptional teaching staff, many
who’ve been with us for ten years or
more. Through ongoing professional
development, and a wealth of
experience, they create interesting,
challenging and supportive lessons,
classrooms, and programs that help
each child grow and thrive in his or her
unique way. Our teachers’ goal is to
instill a love of learning in your child, an
appreciating asset that they’ll take with
them wherever they go.

4. A Place to Explore
Children are naturally inquisitive, and we
continuously offer new ways where they
can quench their wonderful curiosities.
Our curriculum allows them to learn
about themselves, the world around
them, and the richness of Jewish life, all
in an atmosphere of respect, joy, love,
and safety.
Our fundamentals include:
• Social development
• Building self-esteem, social interaction,
self-control, conflict resolution skills,
self-help skills, and friendship
• Cognitive development
• Early literacy, foundational
mathematics, science exploration,
music, language development, and
creative arts
• Physical development
• Motor development, personal
hygiene, nutrition, movement,
and safety
Celebrating Diversity
When you walk through our halls, peak
into our classrooms, or work out in
our fitness facility, you’ll notice one
thing right away – our community is a
representative of the larger community
outside of our walls. While here, your
children will interact daily and make
friends with people from faraway lands,
who practice a variety of faiths, and
come from lots of different kinds of
families. This is our world today and
treating each other with respect, while
celebrating and learning about our
differences is central to who we are as
an organization; it is what we hope to
pass on to the children here, and what
we hope for in our vision of a more
peaceful and just world.

6. Every day, your children learn something new,
discover something wonderful, and try something
incredibly fun while here in our center. Whether in
the classroom, auditorium, playground, pool, or gym,
they’re growing and gaining confidence in new found
skills. Here are just a few of exciting opportunities
that your children will enjoy every week:
• swim lessons in our warm, indoor pool
• music appreciation with our talented teachers
• gym time in our large, light-filled gymnasium where
they can run, kick balls, and play with parachutes all
year long
• nature study in our nursery gardens
• wonderful outdoor time in our 4 large playgrounds
• Shabbat and holiday celebrations with interesting
activities and ethical lessons
Room To Discover and Grow

7. We believe that the sooner that you start on a
healthy lifestyle, the more apt you’ll be to continue
that way. And, as parents and educators, we are the
ones passing along ideas about that to the children
in our lives. Physical fitness is a critical component of
staying healthy, both in body and mind, and our way
of helping you achieve that is by including a Family
Membership to the JCC with every enrollment. Take
classes, swim laps, work out on a treadmill-whatever
works for you, we have it here. And, best of all, you
get to play with your children in our pools all year
long. It’s a wonderful way to start your whole family
on the road to strength and well-being.
Health as a way of life

8. Early Childhood Center
at the Albany JCC
340 Whitehall Road, Albany, NY 12208
(518 ) 689-0039 | www.AlbanyJCC.org
We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading about what we offer at the Early Childhood
Center at the Albany JCC, and that you have gained some insight as to what is most
important when choosing the right place for your child. Our belief is that every child
deserves a wonderful start, so we offer competitive pricing, and many options for
education and care. We also offer scholarships based on need and invite you to apply.
Please stop in for a tour or call to find out more about our full and half-day programs
for children ages 2 months through kindergarten. We look forward to meeting all of
you very soon.
A place for all
Sharon Mudge, Director of Early Childhood Services
Angela Gibson, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Services