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.

1 week ago

✨ Room 7 in Action! ✨Our Room 7 friends are honing their fine motor skills by writing their names! ✍️ Each day, they 'sign in' to practice writing and letter recognition. Recognizing letters at ages 3-4 is key for early literacy, and we're so proud of their progress! 🎉#jcyslearningadventures #jcys_lincolnsquare ... See MoreSee Less
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2 weeks ago

🌳 Introducing Tu Bishvat at Wicker Park! 🌳Although it did not feel like it last week in Chicago, spring is on the way, and soon we will be observing Tu Bishvat, the Jewish New Year of the Trees! 🌱 To prepare, our Pre-K class focused on three different types of fruits: fruits with peels, fruits with stones or pits, and fruits that can be eaten whole.The Rockets explored these fruit categories by using different examples as stamps to create a beautiful piece of layered art. 🎨 They enjoyed observing the unique shapes each fruit made and mixing and matching the colors used to stamp them.Of course, we also took a moment to taste each fruit. Some fruits, like strawberries and nectarines, the Rockets already knew they would enjoy. Others, like lemons and limes, were a surprise! 🍓🍋We love fostering creativity, curiosity, and appreciation for the wonderful gifts of trees and plant life as we get ready for Tu Bishvat. 🌳🌟🌳🌟#jcyslearningadventures #JCYSWickerPark ... See MoreSee Less
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3 weeks ago

🌟 Exploring Citrus Fruits in Room 7! 🌟 Last week, our PreK class at Northwest Family Center had a fun and educational experience tasting different citrus fruits! 🍊🍋🍈🍊 The children tried Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon, and Lime, created beautiful fruit portraits, and made a graph to see which fruit was the class's favorite. Grapefruit and Orange tied for the top spot! 🎨📊 Through this activity, our little learners developed sensory, artistic, math, and critical thinking skills. As we approach Tu BiShvat, the Jewish New Year of the Trees, on February 13th, we hope exploring citrus fruits has helped our little ones start to appreciate all the wonderful things trees give us! 🌳🌱#jcyslearningadventures #JCYSBuffaloGrove ... See MoreSee Less
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