The Early Childhood Center at the J is dedicated to educating the whole child. We offer both an academic and a social/emotional curriculum, and our program is licensed and accredited. In addition to our student-driven school day, we offer dozens of "extra-curricular" activities on-site – swimming, yoga, dance, sports and more.
Our program is committed to providing quality care and education that embraces the development of children's minds, bodies and souls. We stimulate the minds of young children through innovative and individualized curriculum, implemented by a well-trained staff in a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment. One hundred percent of our Pre-K graduates are prepared for kindergarten as measured by a state developmental checklist.
The Early Childhood Center at the J provides year-round care for children ages six weeks to 5 years, Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Full time, part-time and combination schedules are available. J Day Camps are included during the summer months at no extra cost.
Two locations give parents in both the Creve Coeur and Chesterfield areas easy access to our program, and our children enjoy the benefits of all the J's facilities – including year-round swimming and physical education classes. We are one of very few Jewish parenting centers in the St. Louis community and our programs are open to people of all faiths as well as to J members and the public.
Visit us on the web for more information or to arrange a tour!


Come over to the dark side and meet the amazing birds that exist by moonlight. Owl Prowls are an opportunity for families to learn about owls from the naturalists at the World Bird Sanctuary.
Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym in Creve Coeur.
Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.
Kids Art Night Out at Yucandu Art Studio features a new creative project each month, ranging from mosaics, to collage, printmaking, glitter, clay and more.
Storytelling in the Museum is an in-person storytelling event happening at 10:30 a.m. at the Missouri History Museum. This event, perfect for the preschool set, features engaging stories with themes like Juneteenth, Sweet Treats, Summer and more. Storytelling in the Museum is free.