OUR PHILOSOPHY
The AJCC ECE provides quality and high-level Early Childhood Education programs to the Long Beach community. More than providing childcare for families, the ECE brings a Reggio-style program of play-based learning to the children at a crucial developmental stage. Early childhood education changes rapidly and constantly with new research, developments, and techniques. The AJCC ECE strives to be at the forefront of childhood development and our teachers participate in professional development training throughout the year to bring the latest developments to our program. Judaic content is woven into our day all throughout the year. Our Judaic curriculum offers engaging and useful principles of early childhood education with principles of quality Jewish education to learn more about our day-to-day operations check out our Instagram Account here!
OUR PLAYGROUND
Playing outside provides a refreshing pause in the busy schedule and allows children to improve cognitive, social-emotional, and gross motor skills. Our children are provided a physically stimulating and safe environment allowing them to climb higher, jump farther, and run faster in our playground. Our playground is full of fruit trees and plants native to Israel, and the children assist in caring for our plants daily. Time is set aside for children to listen, explore, observe, and move. These are done through various sensory experiences, including gardening, pumping water, climbing ladders and tires, riding tricycles and scooters, and exploring outdoor art experiences. Come play with us!
JEWISH VALUES
Judaic content is woven into our day throughout the year. Our Judaic curriculum offers engaging and useful principles of early childhood education with principles of quality Jewish education. Each holiday includes rituals, customs, Jewish values and a myriad of age-appropriate well-organized activities that bring to life core holiday concepts. Our Educators provide children an opportunity to connect and leave children with concrete, meaningful experiences and connections to upcoming Jewish holidays. There are numerous areas in which they intersect with, support, and strengthen one another. Together they provide the transformative building blocks for the culture within which we relate to one another, communicate our curriculum, reflect on Judaism’s role in our lives, and understand our place in the world at large.
EVIDENCE OF LEARNING | ECE BLOG
J BABY
For babies 0 to 12 months
MEET THE FACILITATOR
COME AS YOU ARE – EVERYBODY IS WELCOME.
A social destination for NEW parents and seasoned parents alike. Our J Baby programming focuses on nurturing relationships, creating friendships, strengthening the bond between parent and baby, and fosters NEW parents’ growth, knowledge, and wellness. Get comfy, socialize, and learn with us! Dads, relatives, and friends are welcome too!
Register with Dani, @ the ECE Desk: (562) 426-7601 x1092 dreynozo@alpertjcc.org
Registration fee $25
Monthly $20 J membership– allows for access to the entire AJCC
Wednesdays: J-Baby 9:15 am
Connect with other new parents while working with your child on early motor and social-emotional skills. We will sing songs with the children and have a variety of stimulating materials to engage with. During our time together, a variety of speakers will come and support you on your parenting journey.
Fridays: Walking group 9:30 am
Meet at Stearns park at 9:30. We will get out for some light exercise, talk through the struggles from the night before and stretch our bodies. Exercise after baby helps to restore muscle strength, improves cardiovascular fitness, and did you know; exercise makes you less tired because it raises your energy level and improves your sense of self.
Last Friday of every month: Join us as we sing songs, play games, light Shabbat candles, and recite the traditional blessings. There will be time for free play and social time. Juice and challah are available for parents. Relatives and friends are welcome, too!
* Please reference calendar for speakers and Shabbat schedule
YAD B'YAD | Parent & Me
For toddlers walking to 23 months
MEET THE FACILITATOR
HAND IN HAND
Our goal is to impact our student’s lives educationally, emotionally and socially, so they are provided with a strong foundation for a life-long love of learning. Yad B’ Yad is meant to promote bonding between you and your child, get them comfortable with the preschool environment, help them develop cognitive, motor, and social-emotional skills, and connect new families with one another. During classroom exploration, the children will have the opportunity to engage in sensory experiences, process art, dramatic play, and dance and sing. Along with our day to day classroom exploration, the children may have the opportunity to develop developmental skills with: Tumbling Tots; an early introduction to gymnastics, Little CATCH’ers; gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and Little Hands; time spent exploring mixed media in our art studio with Mrs. Lockett. We can’t wait to explore with you.
We look forward to getting to know you and your toddler and to an exciting school year filled with curiosity, exploration, learning, and fun!
1 Day | Tues OR Thurs | 9:30-10:45 AM | $216 Member | $316 Non-Member
2 Day | Tues AND Thurs | 9:30-10:45 AM | $432 Member | $532 Non Member
Contact the ECE Desk to register: (562) 426-7601 x1092 or dreynozo@alpertjcc.org
OUR TEACHERS
Our teachers come from all walks of life with one main thing in common – we all passion for Early Childhood Education. We know this is the right team to support your child on their big school journey as we play, learn and grow together! Check out what our J family is all about by clicking their photo. We all can’t wait to see you on the playground.
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING!
When I became a new mother, the JCC welcomed our family as part of the ECE. I have seen my daughter move through the ECE and graduate from the Pre-K program building strong relationships with her classmates and teachers. Now, in Kid's University (the after-school program upstairs), I see the continuity of the same values that we experienced in the ECE. They value connection and community.
As a preschooler, our son was eager to experience all of the options that the JCC had to offer. This year he took an array of different classes, including Spanish, yoga, Karate, art, music, and gardening.
Our family also enjoys the swimming pool, basketball court, and fitness options!
I highly recommend the Alpert JCC!
SUPPORT US
One of the most gratifying things about embarking on a new school year is seeing the dramatic transition of the Summer to Fall community, a community where children find a safe place to be themselves while connecting as constructivist thinkers and young citizens. Watching our students learn, play, and create in this community, engaging them as they eagerly collaborate in class, discussing books, music and art projects by which our students’ are impassioned, and trying to keep up on evolving social and emotional dynamics, I am reminded daily that our dedication to igniting within each child a lifelong love of learning remains unwavering.
In all of these ways and more, AJCC Early Childhood Education Center aims to give our students the tools to thrive in an ever-changing and complex world. None of this would be possible without a robust Annual Fund. Your generous participation in Annual Giving sends a message that you stand with our community of educators, administrators, board members, fellow parents, alumni, grandparents, and parents of alumni as stakeholders in our unparalleled school community. Just as we are united in our mission, we must be united in the sustained support of that mission. DONATE HERE