Jerome and Phyllis Charney
Early Childhood Development Program (ECDP)

Preschool • Toddlers • Infants

Our Mission

To develop the social, emotional, physical and intellectual well being of each child allowing them to grow and flourish as productive members of the community. The emphasis is helping children become independent, self-confident, inquisitive and enthusiastic learners.

Enrollment information

Preschool • Toddlers • Infants

little girl smiling

When it comes to caring for your little one, the JCC’s Jerome and Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program is the area’s leading comprehensive childcare facility and preschool, serving infants six weeks old through pre-K children. We provide a caring and nurturing environment to help children explore their world with curiosity and passion.

Limited spots available for the 2024 – 2025 school year. To register your child for the upcoming school year, your completed enrollment paperwork along with the $36 registration fee must be submitted. 

For more information about enrolling your child and to schedule a tour, please call 315-445-2040, ext. 120.

Our program is a licensed child care facility offering infant, toddler and preschool care for children ages six weeks through five years. We offer a wide array of activities designed to invigorate kids’ minds, encourage their love of learning and satisfy their wondrous curiosity.

We are committed to developing the social, emotional, physical and intellectual well being of each child, allowing them to grow and flourish as productive members of the community. Our emphasis is on helping children become independent, self-confident, inquisitive and enthusiastic learners.  

Much of what children learn and do in an early childhood program doesn’t come home in a backpack. Young children learn best through hands-on and direct interactive experiences. This type of learning happens through play and exploration. The Jerome and Phyllis Charney Early Childhood Development Program uses the Creative Curriculum paired with the NYS Early Learning Guidelines, using a Reggio Emilia inspired approach to learning.

The Reggio Emilia Approach is an innovative and inspiring approach to early childhood education which values the child as strong, capable, resilient and rich with wonder and knowledge.  Every child brings with them deep curiosity and potential, and this innate curiosity drives their interest to understand their world and their place in it.

  • Academic minded classrooms with a focus on social and emotional development.
  • Professional, nurturing teachers and staff, committed to excellence in early childhood education.
  • Invested in the responsible use of technology to support the curriculum in the classroom.
  • Access to the JCC’s full size gymnasium for gym class.
  • On-site enrichment programming including music, dance, sports, gymnastics, karate and more.
  • Clean, secured facility.
  • Direct Parent/Teacher communication via HiMama app to provide easy access for messaging, reports and photos.
  • Flexible enrollment 2-5 days a week, open from 7 am – 6 pm.  Infant Care (younger than 18 months) is full time only.

For more information, and to schedule a tour, call 315-445-2040, ext. 120.

Infant Care

• 6 weeks to 18 months old (1:4 ratio; maximum 8 per classroom)

We offer the highest quality of care to our youngest members. To maintain a developmentally appropriate environment for our infants, they are separated into two age groups: Infant I and Infant II. Infants who are 6 weeks to 12 months old at time of enrollment are placed in the Infant I classroom. Infants who are 12 months to 24 months at the time of enrollment are placed in the Infant II classroom.

The ECDP provides a responsive environment that supports and encourages exploration through a variety of classroom routines and experiences. Infant caregivers focus on daily routines such as hellos and goodbyes, diapering and toileting, feeding, dressing and soothing to sleep as part of the curriculum. These one-on-one routines help to build positive relationships between infant and caregiver, promoting trust and allowing infants to feel secure in their environment.

Once infants have developed a trusting relationship with their caregivers they will start to gain new skills and participate more actively in daily routines. The teachers are then able to provide intentional indoor and outdoor experiences that allow children to learn while imitating and pretending, connecting with music and movement, exploring with sand and water and creating with art.

Toddler Level

• 18 months to 3 years old (1:5 ratio; maximum 12 per classroom)

Toddler children are at an age when they establish secure attachments with their caregivers more quickly and are now eager to experience their world. They react to what they experience through their senses and physical activity. ECDP teachers provide intentional experiences for toddlers through a variety of indoor and outdoor experiences.

Learning materials that match the children’s growing abilities and interests are provided and the children start to explore objects and begin to use them purposefully. While playing with toys, imitating and pretending, exploring sand and water, creating with art and going outdoors, toddlers learn to communicate and socialize with peers and adults, to think mathematically and to discover like scientists.  Our toddlers are also introduced to gym class with our gym instructor, who tailors the class to their specific gross motor goals.

Toddlers are placed into classrooms according to their chronological age. Children do not need to be toilet trained, and when appropriate toilet training will be incorporated into one of the goals for your child.

3 Year Old Level

• 3 to 4 years old (1:7 ratio; maximum 18 per classroom)

With kindergarten just two years away, this is an important time for every child to learn that the world is bigger than imagined. Children learn new skills and concepts through our hands-on approach to learning. Daily activities are carefully planned to promote children’s social, emotional and cognitive development. Our teachers are trained to recognize differences in rates of development within this age group, and individualize instruction to meet every child’s needs. Materials and activities are appropriately tailored in an effort to challenge children’s abilities while building their self-confidence. All children within this age group are mixed between the classes just as they would be in an elementary school setting. 

There is an emphasis on the following experiences and the teachers intentionally tie in math, literacy and science

  • Dramatic Play
  • Blocks
  • Art
  • Sensory Experiences
  • Read Aloud
  • Cooking
  • Music & Movement
  • Outdoor Play

The children also attend gym class with our specialized gym instructor, who tailors the class to their specific gross motor goals.  Our Preschool children are eligible to sign up for enrichment classes that take place during the school day.  Please visit our HPER section to learn more about Enrichment classes.

Pre-K Level

• 4 to 5 years old (1:8 ratio; maximum 19 per classroom)

Our oldest children explore the world through our hands-on, developmentally appropriate approach to learning. We include both child initiated play and teacher-directed academic experiences on a daily basis. Planned lessons and activities allow teachers to informally and continually assess each child in order to effectively modify and individualize instruction.

At the Pre-K level, we concentrate on exposing children to the skills and concepts needed to succeed in kindergarten. Creative expression, math and reading readiness, along with fine and gross motor skill development are just a few of the areas in which we strive to help each child learn, grow and succeed. All children within this age group are mixed between the classes just as they would be in an elementary school setting. 

There is an emphasis on the following experiences and the teachers intentionally tie in math, literacy and science.

  • Dramatic Play
  • Blocks
  • Art
  • Sensory experiences
  • Read alouds
  • Cooking
  • Music & Movement
  • Outdoor play

The children also attend gym class with our specialized gym instructor, who tailors the class to their specific gross motor goals.  Our Pre-K children are eligible to sign up for enrichment classes that take place during the school day. Please visit our HPER section to learn more about Enrichment classes.

Preschool Youth Athletics Classes

We offer a variety of popular athletic classes for three-, four- and five-year olds. Classes are open to both JCC members and non-members. Enrollment is discounted for members. Check out our upcoming classes below!

Pre-registration is required and classes are subject to minimum enrollment. Registration fees will be returned if minimum class enrollment is not met prior to the start date.

To register, please stop by our office, call 315-445-2040 x 120

kids eat a snack

Youth Athletics Classes!

Enroll your child in a new adventure! Youth Athletic Classes are full of new opportunities. Ballet, Ninja Warrior, Gymnastics, and more!

Early Childhood Camps

Please visit our “Early Childhood – Summer Camps” page for more information

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