FAQ
What qualifications & training do your teachers have?
All of our teachers are CPR and First Aid certified, and have taken the Children and Families course covering Early Childhood Development, Child Abuse & Neglect, Health & Nutrition and DCF Rules and Regulations, Behavioral Observation and Screening and Preschool & Toddler Appropriate Practices. Many of our teachers have also earned bachelors and masters degrees in education and are certified to teach. The staff have all been fingerprinted, checked for criminal and abuse background, are of sound moral character, and have character references on file. All are involved in yearly continuing education.
What are your child:teacher ratios?
One year old children~ 1:5 at the JJC (1:6 for the state)
Two year old children~ 1:6 at the JJC (1:11 for the state)
Three year old children~ 1:8 at the JJC (1:15 for the state)
Four year old children~ 1:9 at the JJC (1:20 for the state)
When can I visit or observe my child?
We have an open door policy, and you are invited to visit our classrooms anytime. Although we encourage visitations, we suggest that the frequency of visits does not interfere with the operation of the classroom and your child’s adjustments. Parents are asked to make an appointment with the office to observe your child’s classroom. When visiting in the classroom, we ask that you remember to please not engage in conversation with the teachers when they are working with the students. Parents are invited to come and read a book, supervise an art project, share a special talent, take pictures and bake a snack. We ask that you sign in at the Preschool Office and pick up a visitor’s badge before entering any of the classrooms.
What are your school’s hours?
Our regular school hours are from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
We offer early morning care from 7:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. for those who need it.
We also have after-school care (Kids Club) from 12:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m.; 12:00 p.m.-3:45 p.m.; & 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
We have a very flexible program with 2 day options, 3 day options & 5 day options. We have 4 different pick up times (using our carpool service) available or you can pick up your child at anytime by coming inside.
Our early morning care and our after-school care (or Kids Club) is available for school-age children, as well.
How does the JJC Preschool communicate with parents?
Open communication between our preschool director, the teachers and parents is important to all of us at the JJC Preschool. We pass out a monthly school calendar at the beginning of each month. We also send a weekly email newsletter with all important events, fun pictures and any information regarding our school. You will also receive a weekly newsletter from your child’s teacher and with our one-year olds, you will receive a daily log.
Do you offer any enrichment programs?
We offer several after-school enrichment activities. We do change them regularly, however, our regular weekly classes include Art Enrichment, Ballet, Tumbling, Fairy Tales in Motion, Jazz, Soccer, Lil’ Ninjas, Spanish and Music/Theater to name a few. We bring in professional staff from places such as Mark Spivak’s Dance Studios, Sun Belt Karate, Art Impressions, JYSC coaches, and many more.
How do I register?
Four Simple Steps to Enrollment
Step 1:
Call, email stephanie.teitelbaum@jaxjewishcenter.com, or request an admissions package by calling Stephanie Teitelbaum at 268-4200 x136.
Step 2:
Make an appointment to visit and tour the school.
Step 3:
Complete the application return it to the Preschool’s office with your registration fee. We will accept applications for new students on a space-available basis.
Step 4:
Please turn in the yellow and blue health forms from your doctor’s office and a copy of your child’s birth certificate.
Do you have a Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program?
Yes, we do have a VPK program that is offered to children who are four years of age by September 1, 2010. It is a free program for the hours of 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m (there is a one time resource fee). There is an extended VPK class available (for a small monthly fee) that goes until 2:00 p.m. In order to participate in the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Program, you must register your child with the Early Learning Coalition. You will receive a certificate that you will in turn give to us in order to secure your child’s placement in our program. If you have any questions regarding VPK, please call the Early Learning Coalition of Duval at (904) 208-2044.
How do you incorporate Judaica into the preschool?
We offer Judaica three times a week. Our Judaic teachers, Morah Rachel and Morah Miriam, visit all of our students and are loved by each and every preschooler and parent that they meet. Holiday songs, stories, symbols, crafts, vocabulary and history are all part of our Jewish studies program. Together we celebrate Shabbat on Friday mornings. Challah, grape juice and songs follow the lighting of the Shabbat candles. We are fortunate to have Rabbi Lubliner, Rabbi Cohen and Hazzan Holzer who team up with our teachers to enrich our program.
Do the preschoolers get to go outside?
Our preschool has outdoor & indoor playground facilities including swings, slides, climbing apparatus, playhouses, merry-g0-rounds, rocking toys and ride on toys. Each teacher does activities with their class to enhance and encourage gross motor development. Also, we have a fabulous weekly PE program.
How often do the preschoolers do art?
Art exploration occurs daily in our classrooms. Crayons, paint, finger paint, clay, markers, watercolors, chalk, scissors and glue are always available. Specific projects integrating holidays and seasonal themes are part of our art curriculum. Incorporating everyday items such as cotton balls, yarn, macaroni, buttons, straws, scraps, rocks, leaves, pudding, etc. gives each child many creative options.
Do you have a hot lunch program?
Yes, we do have a hot lunch program. You may choose to purchase hot lunch from Margo’s Catering and/or send in a bag lunch with your child if they are staying past 12:00 p.m. You will receive a lunch menu each month. On days that you wish to send in a bag lunch, it must be a dairy, kosher, nut-free lunch.
Are you a nut-free facility?
Food allergies are a dilemma that faces several of our preschool families year after year. Peanut and tree nut allergies are two of the most common and dangerous. We have a few students each year who have this allergy. Because of the severity of these allergies, the JJC Preschool is a peanut/nut-free zone.
