Early Childhood

FREE
3K & Pre-K for All!

With over 60 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, the Staten Island JCC will give your child the best start!

As Staten Island’s premier Early Childhood Education Center, our mission is to foster a safe, nurturing, and fun school environment that provides a strong educational foundation for students.

Text with colorful letters on a dark background stating '3K FOR ALL' and 'PRE-K FOR ALL'.

​Our Program Offers

  • Extended AM & PM hours

  • Extracurricular activities

  • Free family programs

  • Flexible scheduling​

  • Indoor & outdoor playtime

  • Kosher lunch & 2 snacks daily

  • Creative learning & play centers

  • 25% discount on JCC Day Camp

Call us to book a tour of one of our schools

Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC

1466 Manor Road

(718) 475-5230

Avis/South Shore JCC

​1297 Arthur Kill Road

(718) 475-5224

JCC Early Childhood Center at Temple Israel

​10 Gregg Place

(718) 475-5290

JCC Berman Early Childhood Center

​2221 Richmond Avenue

(718) 475-5100

More Than
Just a Preschool

JCC Day Camp

Campers enjoy up to 8 weeks of outdoor fun at the scenic Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds. Our youngest campers learn how to swim, express themselves with arts & crafts, play sports and games, and make new friends.

We offer 1/2 day options and flexible scheduling for little ones, and an exclusive 25% discount on camp for our Early Childhood Education students!

Year-Round Activities & Family Fun

From our annual Fall Harvest Festival and holiday celebrations, to music performances and pool parties, there’s always something fun for young children and their families to do at the JCC! Our FREE and low-cost events make it easy for your family to stay connected to your school friends year-round.

We also offer Grownup & Me classes and extracurricular activities like sports, swimming, music, and arts enrichment for young children and their older siblings.

An Experience for Your Whole Family

We believe families are essential partners in every child’s journey. Together, we create a warm and engaging environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive—and where families become part of a caring community rooted in connection and shared values.

Membership - Access the JCC’s Fitness Center, exercise classes, pools, and members-only family events. Exclusive discounts available to Early Childhood families!

Senior Programs - 3 Older Adult Centers with daily activities. Programs for adults with memory loss and their caregivers.

Social Services - Kosher Food Pantry, benefits assistance, and career services for those in need & Much More!

A young girl smiling and standing on a playground step platform. She is holding onto green bars and wearing a yellow and green lemon-patterned outfit with pink shoes. Other children are playing in the background on a sunny day.
Three young boys smiling and posing in front of an inflatable slide at an indoor play area.
A young girl holding a yellow balloon with a smiley face, smiling and looking at a woman who is crouching and also smiling. The girl wears a pink Minnie Mouse sweatshirt, and the woman has blonde hair tied back and wears a grey hoodie. There are other people in the background, indicating a social setting.

About Us

Our Values

  • Our programs will prepare your child for success in kindergarten and beyond! With an emphasis on literacy and early math concepts, and a thematic curriculum across all areas of learning, your child will gain the skills and confidence to become an independent learner.

  • We weave social-emotional learning (SEL) into the fabric of our curriculum, increasing self-awareness, academic achievement, and positive behaviors both in and out of the classroom.

  • Our programs embrace families of all cultural and religious backgrounds. We believe children thrive in an environment where their individuality is celebrated and respected. As a program of the JCC of Staten Island, our Early Childhood Education Center celebrates Jewish values that are truly universal, such as kindness, charity, and repairing the world.

  • A strong connection between your home and your child’s classroom is the foundation of school success. We offer opportunities for your family to engage with what your child is learning at school, such as Mystery Readers, Class Helpers, Holiday Celebrations, and other special activities throughout the year. Our teachers also use technology daily to help you connect to your child’s classroom activities.

Children playing with toy cars on a colorful play rug.

Meet the Team

Our experienced team works closely with children and families to create meaningful learning experiences that celebrate progress, foster growth, and help every child take important steps.

Four Convenient Locations