Early Childhood Learning Center

For information regarding the Fairfax location, contact Amit Hickman, Fairfax ECLC Director, at AmitH@jccnv.org or (703) 537-3051. For information regarding the Alexandria location, contact Dina Backer, Alexandria ECLC Director, at DinaB@jccnv.org or (703) 537-3084.

Our Philosophy of Learning

The Early Childhood Learning Center strives to help each child grow as an individual. We emphasize the development of self-confidence and a positive self-image. Our activities provide experiences to foster social skills and emotional maturity and to strengthen cognitive and physical growth. Play is a child’s work. Play provides the opportunity for children to explore their world, find out how to get along with others, strengthen their muscles, try new activities, build self-confidence and enhance self-esteem. Play is how the young child develops the necessary skills and social competencies that will be needed as he/she grows and matures.

The primary goal of our Infant/Toddler Program is to provide each child with the best of care in a clean and nurturing environment. Our staff works to encourage each child in every stage of his or her social and emotional growth as well as to support and strengthen language and cognitive development. The daily routine is set up to provide stimulating experiences for children to learn and explore their environment through their own curiosity.

Our teaching philosophy follows a Reggio-Emilia inspired philosophy that is based on the following ideas:

• Children have a say over the direction of their learning
• Children are able to learn through experiences of touching, moving, listening, seeing and hearing
• Children have a relationship with other children and material items to explore
• Children have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves

Our philosophy involves an emergent curriculum that builds on the interests of the children. Topics of study are chosen through discussion/observations of children, community or family events, interests of the children, and teacher-directed provocations. The curriculum provides hands-on learning experiences, areas for children to experiment with the natural world, and real-life problem-solving with opportunities for creative thinking.

2013-2014 Registration

Limited Spaces Available

Note: JCCNV family membership is required for attendance. Membership applications should be submitted along with preschool applications.

Click here to download the 2013-2014 ECLC Registration Booklet

Infant/ Toddler Program

For children ages 6 weeks–24 months old

Full-time only

Monday–Friday, 7:30am–6pm

Click here to learn more about our Infant/Toddler Program

Two-Year-Old Program

For children ages 24–36 months old by 9/30/13
Monday–Friday, 9am–1pm

Parents may choose from the following options:
2-days: Tuesday/Thursday
3-days: Monday/Wednesday/Friday
5-days: Monday–Friday

Three- and Four-Year-Old Program

For children three years old by 9/30/13
For children four years old by 9/30/13
Monday–Friday, 9am–1pm

Parents may choose from the following options:

Three-year-olds
3-days: Monday/Wednesday/Friday
5-days: Monday–Friday

Four-year-olds
5-days only: Monday–Friday

Full- and Part-Time Extended Day Options

For children ages 2–5 years old

The Extended Day Program complements the morning preschool program and provides children with a warm, caring and safe atmosphere. Children participate in a variety of age-appropriate activities in a positive setting, orchestrated by a creative and qualified staff.

Extended Day Options*
Monday–Friday

Early Morning Extended Day: 7:30am–9am
Early Afternoon Extended Day: 1pm–4pm
Late Afternoon Extended Day: 1pm–6pm

*Child must be enrolled in a 9am–1pm program. Two-day minimum required.

Satellite Program

Same great early childhood experience in a second convenient location! The JCCNV continues its partnership with Beth El Hebrew Congregation. The JCCNV/BEHC Early Childhood Learning Center is located at 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA.

For information regarding the Alexandria location, contact Dina Backer, Alexandria ECLC Director, at DinaB@jccnv.org or (703) 537-3084.

An Ethical Start®

The JCCNV Early Childhood Learning Center is proud to be An Ethical Start® school. This curriculum for early childhood is based on Pirkei Avot: Ethics of the Fathers. This classic text has been studied for almost 2,000 years because it contains practical advice for daily living. Using a comprehensive approach, An Ethical Start® helps teachers and parents support children’s emotional and social development and raise children with the timeless values of Jewish tradition. And it’s all a lot of fun because An Ethical Start® makes the ethical dimensions of Judaism accessible with Peer K. Explorer® and his study partner Dafna® — the irresistible, adventurous characters who appear in the program’s music, books and more.