Welcome to JCC Chicago Early Childhood at Beth Emet Synagogue, located in Evanston. We offer full-day preschool for children 6-weeks to 5 years.
Welcome to JCC Chicago Early Childhood at Beth Emet Synagogue, located in Evanston. We offer full-day preschool for children 6-weeks to 5 years.
1224 Dempster Street
Evanston, IL 60202
847.763.3571
Hours
Core Childcare & Full-Day Preschool: 8:30am-5:00pm
Before Care: 7:30-8:30am
After Care: 5:00-6:00pm
Kaitlin McGahey has been with JCC Chicago since 2014. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Nursing from Western Michigan University and Certificate in Early Childhood Teaching from Ashworth College. She is calm, caring and dedicated to the wellbeing of both our children and her colleagues. During her time with the J, Kaitlin has participated in numerous professional development opportunities including being chosen for a Jewish Community Centers Association panel discussing incorporating inclusion into the classroom. She has also traveled to Colorado to visit The Boulder Journey School, participating in a 4 day immersive training on the Reggio Emilia approach.
Full Day for ages 6 wks-5 yrs
6 weeks – 23 months
Our infant care provides a caring, peaceful and trusted environment where your little ones are loved and nurtured.
2 – 5 years
Students make friends while building the social, emotional and academic skills needed for success in kindergarten and beyond.
3 – 5 years
Save on the cost of camp when you combine Apachi Day Camp with Early Childhood! FREE day camp for our full-day, year-round students who register for 24/25.
It is our passion and our privilege to provide your children with endless opportunities to learn, grow and explore. Deep understanding, love, support and care of every child is paramount to what we do. Our days are filled with music, creativity, outdoor playtime, celebrations of Jewish values and continuous exploration of the world around us.
Classrooms are the first community and we are so proud of those we build together every day.
Our classrooms are thoughtfully designed for each specific age group using natural elements and great attention to detail. Each space becomes a home away from home, a place where children can learn and explore the world around them.
8/26/24-8/15/25
All ages are as of Sept 1, 2024
| Program | Age | M-F | Time | Price/Installment | Installments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Infant/Tot | 6 wks-14 mos | M-F | 8:30am-5pm | $2,150 | 12 |
| 5-Day Toddlers | 15-23 mos | M-F | 8:30am-5pm | $2,150 | 12 |
10 Month: 8/26/24-6/13/25
12 Month: 8/26/24-8/15/25
All ages are as of Sept 1, 2024
| Program | Age | M-F | Time | Price/Installment | Installments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Day 2s | 2 yrs | M-F | 8:30am-5pm | $2,150 | 10 or 12 |
| 5-Day 3s | 3 yrs | M-F | 8:30am-5pm | $2,150 | 10 |
| 5-Day 4s | 4 yrs | M-F | 8:30am-5pm | $2,150 | 10 |
| Program | Age | Days | Time | Price/Installment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Before Care | All | M-F | 7:30-8:30am | $250 |
| 5-Day After Care | All | M-F | 5:00-6pm | $250 |
Camp: 6/17/24-8/2/24*
*Camp is closed June 19, July 4 & 5
Preschool: 8/26/24-6/13/25
All ages are as of Sept 1, 2024
Camp Scholarships
Full-day Early Childhood students who are age-eligible for camp and choose to spend their summers with Apachi will receive a discount equal to the camp fee. The new Camp Scholarship is intended to bring the joys of Apachi to our littlest learners while providing significant financial relief for families against the costs of full day Early Childhood. Half-day students will receive a 20% discount of the camp fee on their final payment.
| Camp/Preschool | Age | Days | Camp Hours | EC Hours | Price/Installment* | Installments | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apachi Evanston + 5-Day 3s (Full-Day Preschool)^** | 3 yrs | M-F | 9:15am-3:15pm | 8:30am-5pm | $2,035 | 12 | $2,915 |
| Apachi Evanston + 5-Day 4s (Full-Day Preschool)^ | 4 yrs | M-F | 9:15am-3:15pm | 8:30am-5pm | $2,035 | 12 | $2,915 |
| *For full day 3s and 4s ONLY, the camp portion will be discounted on the end of the payment schedule. **Drop-off and Pick-up for 3s and 4s Combo is at Apachi Evanston and before care/after care is not included in combo rate ^Before and After Care is available to Full Day Combo Programs. See section above for pricing. |
|||||||
8/28/23-8/16/24
All ages are as of Sept 1, 2023
| Program | Age | M-F | Time | Price/mo | Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Infant/Tot | 6 wks-14 mos | M-F | 8:30am-5pm | $2,065 | 12 |
| 5-Day Toddlers | 15-23 mos | M-F | 8:30am-5pm | $2,065 | 12 |
8/28/23-6/7/24 (3s & 4s)
8/28/23-8/16/24 (2s)
All ages are as of Sept 1, 2023
| Program | Age | M-F | Time | Price/mo | Months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Day 2s | 2 yrs | M-F | 8:30am-5pm | $2,065 | 10 or 12 |
| 5-Day 3s | 3 yrs | M-F | 8:30am-5pm | $2,065 | 10 |
| 5-Day 4s | 4 yrs | M-F | 8:30am-5pm | $2,065 | 10 |
| Program | Age | Days | Time | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Before Care | All | M-F | 7:30-8:30am | $242 |
| 5-Day After Care | All | M-F | 5:00-6pm | $242 |
You will need to complete various forms electronically. At the link below you can find the following:
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. We are unable to guarantee spots. If a class is full, you will be notified and placed on a waiting list. If your class is closed or cancelled, JCC Chicago staff will contact you to help you choose another class. Registrations are not processed on Shabbat.
New children will incur a non-refundable $500 registration fee; $250 of this fee will be applied towards first installment. Families applying for fee assistance will incur a non-refundable $250 registration fee.
Returning children do not pay a registration fee.
A $25 processing fee will be assessed for changes in program registration.
A $20 fee will be automatically charged to your account for any returned payments.
Billing occurs on the 20th of each month, or the following business day. Educational services must be paid for by automatic bank draft or credit card. For anyone choosing to pay for programming by credit card, a 3% non-refundable convenience charge will be applied.
Payment Schedules
23/24 School Year >
24/25 School Year >
rogram fees are due in 9 equal installments beginning in June for the upcoming school year. Other payment options may be arranged by contacting Customer Solutions at support@jccchicago.org.
Program fees are due in 10 or 12 equal installments beginning in June for the upcoming school year. Other payment options may be arranged by contacting Customer Solutions at support@jccchicago.org.
Program fees are due in 12 installments starting in April for the upcoming camp season and school year. Other payment options may be arranged by contacting Customer Solutions at support@jccchicago.org.
Refunds are not given for illness, covid room closures, vacation, holidays or temporary child care arrangements and participants may not switch days due to illness or school closure.
What is the refund policy if a classroom or the school has to close for longer than a two week period?
JCC Chicago will not be offering credits/refunds for classroom closures or absence from school due to COVID-19.
Cancellation notices must be received at least 30 days prior to the last date of attendance. All cancellations must be made in writing to the Early Childhood Site Director. Payments made prior to the cancellation notice will be retained and payment obligations will continue until 30 days prior to the last date of attendance.
Your registration fee is non-refundable.
For EC/Camp combo program cancellation, you may incur additional fees as combo pricing will no longer be valid and you will be responsible for the balance.
Registration for the time before and/or after the core day will be accepted through August 1, 2023 for the 2023-24 school year. For families who later identify the need for early morning or late afternoon care, rolling registration will be accepted based on staffing levels. Should additional staff be required to meet your request, coverage will begin within a 30-day period of the request (pending available staff).
Optional coverage is subject to the same cancellation policy that has been in place for many years; 30 days written notice is required for all cancellations, during which time no additional payments will be drawn.
If we determine that continued participation in JCC Chicago programs or services is not appropriate, JCC Chicago reserves the right to discontinue services. In such circumstances, any unused portion of program fees paid to date will be refunded. JCC Chicago reserves the right to cancel the enrollment of a child for reasons not limited to the following; failure to observe the rules of JCC Chicago as outlined in the Parent Guide and Code of Honor, special needs of a child that cannot be adequately met with current staffing, physical and/ or verbal abuse of staff or children by adult or child, or non-payment of fees.
If your child is new to JCC Chicago Early Childhood programs, you must bring their original birth certificate to verify age. We will make and retain a copy, and return the original to you. Please note this policy is mandated by The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
JCC Chicago may videotape or photograph participants enrolled in programs, classes and events or while enjoying JCC Chicago facilities. These photographs are for JCC Chicago publications, flyers, publicity efforts, brochures, web use, other electronic communications or video usage. However, for Early Childhood, a program permission form must be signed to allow a child’s picture and name to be used for publicity purposes by JCC Chicago. This policy is mandated by DCFS. All photos and videos are for JCC Chicago use and become the sole property of JCC Chicago. Please contact the Program Director for photographic exclusions.
In the event of an emergency closure due to weather or other unforeseen causes, you will be notified through Kaymbu. Updates will also be available on our website(s) at jccchicagoearlychildhood.org and jccchicago.org. Refunds will not be given for weather related or other closings that are out of our control.
IL Dept. of Children and Family Services requires all licensed programs to have a policy in place regarding immunizations. For each child enrolled in JCC Chicago Early Childhood programming, the parent (or legal guardian) must provide a current immunization record appropriate for the child’s age and a health form signed by the child’s physician or health department representative prior to the first day of the program. If the physical condition of the child is such that any one or more of the immunizing agents should not be administered, the examining physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant responsible for the performance of the health examination shall endorse that fact upon the health examination form. No other exceptions to scheduled immunizations are permitted within JCC Chicago Early Childhood programming. It is the responsibility of the parent (or legal guardian) to update their file when the health records change. JCC Chicago requires evidence of immunization against diseases including polio, measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, pertussis, tentanus, HIB, hepatitis B, and varicella.
Although the COVID-19 vaccination is not currently required, JCC Chicago is requesting proof of vaccination if your child has been vaccinated. If your child is fully vaccinated and not showing symptoms of illness, they will not have to quarantine if there is an exposure.