York JCC York Jewish
Community Center

Gan Tamar Campus Early Childhood Education

Voted Best of York since 2012

For ages 2 – 5 years old

Hours: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: 2000 Hollywood Drive, York, P 17403

Early Childhood Education Programs Events & Closures Calendar

The York JCC Education Information and Philosophy

Our Early Childhood Education Program seeks to provide an educational environment that fosters each child’s self-image, curiosity to learn about the world, and confidence in his or her developing physical, intellectual, and social skills. Our intent is not to teach a selection of specific skills in preparation for the academic world of the elementary school. Rather, it is to instill in children an image of themselves as capable learners. It is to provide each child an environment rich in possibilities for child-initiated and directed, teacher supported learning, through active exploration and play. At the JCC, we believe that the best preparation for the academic work of the years ahead begins in an early program that nurtures children, reinforces their natural disposition to ask questions and find answers, and strengthens children’s ability to function as both strong individuals and as caring members of a child-sized community.

The History of the JCC Early Childhood Education Program

The JCC opened its first nursery school program in 1951 and in 1989 the JCC moved to its present building. With this move, we renamed our program, JCC School for the Early Years. In 1998 we opened a second wing to our early childhood hallway with 3 more classrooms. These rooms housed our child care children, ages 18 months through 5 years. In 2015 we added an additional 3 classrooms and a motor skills room which allowed for 55 more children. We currently care for approximately 185 children in our ECE Program. In 2022, Gan Tamar Campus offers care for children ages 3 – 5 years old in 6 classrooms.

We’ve Been Voted #1 in Child Care Numerous Years in a Row

Licensing

The E.C.E. program is licensed through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The School for the Early Years is also licensed through the Department of Private Schools. Both School and Child Care programs are accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The JCC is also a Pre-K Counts site.

We receive Federal cash assistance to serve healthy meals to the children attending our facility through the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program. Additional information about WIC (Woman, Infants, and Children) program.

Programming

Our program offers the York community several options for structured early childhood classrooms.
School for the Early Years – for children ages 2 through 5, provides care from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. during normal school year months.
Lunch and Learn offers afternoon programming from 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM for children ages 3-6
Early Years Discovery Camp – (9:00 – 11:30 AM or 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM) is a summer camp for children ages 3 to 6 years old, June through August.
Child Care Program – for children ages 2 to 5 years. This program offers a full-day, full-year care and education program with a full-day schedule during the summer
School-Age Child Care – begins at 6:30 AM for before school care. After school care begins at 3:00 PM and ends at 5:30 PM.

Teaching Staff

Our E.C.E. program is staffed by a committed team of early childhood professionals. Head Teachers in each classroom are degreed at either the Bachelor’s or Master’s level. Assistant teachers must work towards a minimum of the Child Development Associate Degree within a year of joining our staff. Many assistant teachers hold degrees beyond this entry level. All teachers understand the importance of working closely with families and of meeting the emotional and educational needs of individual children.

Recognizing that the quality of our program rests to a large extent on our staff, we recruit individuals with a strong interest in supporting the growth and development of the school-age child. All staff is screened with a Pennsylvania Police Record, a Child Abuse Clearance, and an FBI clearance.

Staff complete at least 24 hours of training annually on such topics as child development, age-appropriate program and activity planning, and effective guidance for school-age children. The staff has regular meetings with the Director to review program policies, children’s behavior, and current trends. In addition, staff receives annual training on Pediatric first aid, CPR and child abuse prevention.

For more information on our policies, a copy of our Family Handbook is available for currently enrolled families.

For more information on our Gan Tamar campus and child care openings, contact us at ECEAdminAssist@yorkjcc.org.

Child Care

(2 – 5 yrs.)

Program Operation

The Child Care program is a full day, full-year program for children ages 18 months through pre-kindergarten.

Busing is provided by all LIU programs.

Two Locations:

Gan Tamar: 2000 Hollywood Drive, York, PA 17403

Gan Rimon: 6434 Susquehanna Trail South, York, PA 17407

Opening and Closing Information

Our childhood wing opens at 6:30 AM and closes at 5:30 PM. Our 1’s and 2’s classroom opens at 7:00 AM and closes at 5:30 PM.

Tuition Information

Click Here – PDF for our Fees & Payment Policies.

Wait List Information

Click Here – PDF for Child Care Waitlist Application and Frequently Asked Questions.

For more information on our Gan Tamar campus and child care openings, contact us at ECEAdminAssist@yorkjcc.org.

School for the Early Years

(Ages 2-5)

Overview

The JCC School for the Early Years provides children ages 2-5 years with an environment rich in possibilities for child-initiated, child-directed, teacher-supported learning through active exploration and play. Our School for the Early Years (SFEY) offers socialization and education for your preschooler in the morning and now in the afternoon too, while our Lunch and Learn for 3-6 year olds provides afternoon fun and enrichment.

The school program runs from the end of August until the first week in June. The school doors open at 8:50 AM and school starts at 9:00 AM with staggered dismissals to alleviate congestion in the School Commons area at pick up time.
2’s and 3’s dismiss at 11:15
3’s and 4’s at 11:25
4’s and 5’s at 11:30.

Tuition

Annual tuition is broken down into monthly payments and varies, based on numbers of days of attendance.

5 days/week
Member-$483/Non Member-$578

View Tuition Rates

Wait List Information

Click Here – PDF for Child Care Waitlist Application

Note: The school waitlist does NOT roll-over from year to year. You must add your name to the list after the February 6 registration date.

For more information on our Gan Tamar campus and child care openings, contact us at ECEAdminAssist@yorkjcc.org.