Launched with Love

JCYS Family Centers foster a love of learning while helping children develop social and emotional skills in a nurturing environment. Located in Chicago (Lincoln Square Ravenswood and Wicker Park), Buffalo Grove, and Highland Park, our play-based curriculum delivers age-appropriate lessons in math, science, and literacy while encouraging creativity and individual expression.

JCYS offers early childhood education (infant care, toddler care, and preschool), summer camps, and specialty programs year-round to serve children ages 6 weeks through 13 years.

Program Highlights

Academic Foundations

If there’s one thing children are good at, it’s asking “why.” At JCYS, every “why” is an opportunity to practice counting, learn a new letter, or find a country on the map. Children’s natural curiosity and playfulness guide our curriculum. Our teachers encourage children to ask questions and explore their interests while building reading skills, comfort with words, and a foundation in math and science.

Jewish Culture & Engagement

Families of every faith are welcome at JCYS. Children at our family centers learn about Jewish traditions and values through inclusive classroom and family celebrations like enjoying Challah bread every Friday to celebrate Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) or participating in classroom tzedakah (charitable giving) projects.

Physical Development

At JCYS, children run, jump, bounce, climb, dance, and crawl through indoor and outdoor play spaces. Our experienced teachers encourage active play during the school day to build children’s strength, stamina, and gross motor skills.

Social and Emotional Skills

Children at JCYS learn to share with peers, manage conflict, solve problems independently, and take on age-appropriate challenges. Through group play and classroom activities, children make friends and build social-emotional skills for success inside and outside of the classroom.

7 days ago

The Owls at JCYS Highland Park have been all about pumpkins! 🎃 First, we brought in a giant pumpkin and explored everything from color and size to what's inside. The Owls were fascinated to discover seeds, which we saved for planting in the spring! We read books, talked about how pumpkins grow, and even learned fun facts: did you know a pumpkin can hold up to 500 seeds?To get creative, we had the Owls work on pumpkin-themed art projects. They practiced scissor skills cutting out pumpkin shapes, drew their own pumpkins, and decorated a giant classroom pumpkin with glue and loose parts. Now, we’re all excited for spring to plant our seeds and watch new pumpkins grow! 🌱✨ #JCYSHighlandPark #jcyslearningadventures #handsonlearning #fallfun ... See MoreSee Less
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1 week ago

Our friends at JCYS Lincoln Square Ravenswood spent last week learning about the joyous holiday of Simchat Torah! 🎉 This holiday marks the end of reading the Torah and the beginning of a new cycle. They rolled out the Torah scroll to celebrate, allowing everyone to see the beautiful Hebrew letters inside. They finished with “hakafot”—marching, dancing, and singing in honor of the Torah! 📜🎶 #JCYSLincolnSquare #Jcyslearningadventures ... See MoreSee Less
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2 weeks ago

JCYS creates a nurturing environment where your child's imagination thrives, their confidence grows, and their spirit shines. Registration for 2025-26 summer and school year programs opens soon—don’t miss out! Interested in learning more? Visit jcys.org ... See MoreSee Less
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