Early Childhood Center

We follow a flexible schedule built around the incredible enrichment opportunities we’re offered at the Kaplen JCC, such a sports, instructional swimming, music, as well as outdoor time, rest, meals, and snack. These schedules allow us to be responsive to both the educational and emotional needs of the children on a daily basis. Our child led curriculum is designed to meet or exceed state and local requirements, with a focus on learning through developmentally appropriate play and celebration of Jewish holidays and values.

Click on a sample schedule below to view each age level’s flexible day.
INFANT PROGRAM
TODDLER PROGRAM
TRANSITIONAL 2s
2 YEAR OLD HALF DAY PROGRAM
2 YEAR OLD FULL EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM
3 AND 4 YEAR OLD 3/4 DAY PROGRAM
3 AND 4 YEAR OLD FULL EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM

Infants may begin as early as 3 months old. They must be 3 months by Sept 1, 2024 to start the school year with us, although we do accept applications throughout the year. As infants develop, they may transition to the toddler classroom with parental permission. Space is extremely limited in the infant room.

Yes. Children are placed in classrooms according to age. In alignment with public schools, the birthday cutoff Sept 1, 2024 for the infant and toddler programs and October 15 for the twos, threes, fours programs, positioning them to graduate to kindergarten at the appropriate time for their age. No matter their needs, our experienced, professional staff work closely with each child to promote his or her social, emotional and intellectual development.

Age requirements for the 2024-25 school year are as follows:

Infants: 3 months old by 09/01/2024
Toddlers: 12 months old by 09/01/2024
Transitional Twos: 12 months old by 09/01/2024
Twos: 2 years old by 10/15/2024
Threes: 3 years old by 10/15/2024
Fours: 4 years old by 10/15/2024

Once you contact us, we will schedule a one-on-one conversation to best understand your needs. We will place your child in the age-appropriate program once an application and registration fee are submitted. All application materials and fees are required in order to process the application.

We often receive applications from more families than we are able to accommodate. Returning children and siblings are given priority, and new children are placed in classrooms on a first come first serve basis. Those who are not offered a seat are added to a wait list for the age-appropriate program. There is no registration fee required to be added to the wait list. When openings become available, we will contact you by email and phone.

Please contact us at 201.408.1438 or earlychildhoodcenter@jccotp.org for the costs of the programs that you are interested in.

A non-refundable and non-transferable registration fee of $725 is required. Please note that the registration fee is not applied towards the cost of tuition. All application materials and fees are required in order to process the application.

During the enrollment process, you will be prompted to set up a payment plan for the school year tuition. There will be an option to pay in full or set up monthly installments using a credit card or checking account. The first payment will be due July 2024. For families starting later than the beginning of the school year, the first payment is due 2 months before your start date. All tuition payments must be paid in full by April 2025 for 10 month programs or June 2025 for 12 month programs.

All families are required to be Kaplen JCC members to enroll in the Leonard and Syril Rubin Early Childhood Center, which includes wonderful benefits. Membership affords the whole family access to endless enrichment and wellbeing opportunities, including our state-of-the-art fitness center, aquatics center, spa, and more.

New families joining the ECC, enrolling in full day or extended day programs receive a Kaplen JCC membership as part of their tuition for the first school year, and 50% of their membership fees for the second school year. New families enrolling in any partial day program receive a 50% of their membership fees included in their tuition for the first school year. (Membership is valid from September 2024-August 2025. Fees prorated based on start date and day length).

Each class enjoys weekly in-school enrichment activities as part of their tuition. In addition, families may choose to enroll in more extracurricular classes for an additional fee per class. Teachers change their clothes (as needed) children are escorted by a staff member to and from their extracurricular classes. If you are enrolling in an extended day program at the Leonard and Syril Rubin Early Childhood Center, we will include one extracurricular class of your choice per semester in your tuition! Note that only extracurricular programs after 3:30 pm are available for extended day students.

We want you to feel comfortable and safe at our ECC.

Should you decide to withdraw your child voluntarily, you may withdraw by July 1 prior to the start of the school year and receive a full credit/refund any tuition payments made. The registration fee will remain non-refundable.

If you choose to withdraw after July 1, 2024, a 30-day written notice is required. The registration fee will not be refunded, and you will be required to pay the tuition for the 30 days of notice.

Yes, need-based financial assistance is available. The deadline to apply is April 3 for the following school year, and the second deadline is May 1. Please contact us at 201.408.1438 or yvered@jccotp.org for application.

We are also part of the Jewish Right Start Program through the Jewish Federation of Northern, NJ, which grants scholarships for children already registered. Read about eligibility requirements and apply now.