kaymbu-image-20170605-1325 1400x500

Florence G. Heller JCC

524 W. Melrose St.
Chicago, IL 60657

  773.938.8340
  7:30am–6:00pm

Infant Care at Florence G. Heller JCC

Devorah Horovicz, Director

Devorah has been a part of the J since she began as an early childhood educator in 2010 and continued in varied roles throughout JCC Chicago before becoming the Assistant Director and now the Director at Florence G. Heller JCC. Devorah has a B.A. in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Ed from Kendall College. Devorah is a passionate and creative teaching professional who enjoys spending time in the classrooms supporting the teachers, and building warm, engaging relationships with our children, and, families.

Programs at Florence G. Heller JCC

Full Day for ages 6 wks-4 yrs

Half-Day for ages 15 mos-4 yrs

Childcare

6 weeks – 23 months
Our infant care provides a caring, peaceful and trusted environment where your little ones are loved and nurtured.
Learn More

Preschool

2 – 4 years
Students make friends while building the social, emotional and academic skills needed for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Learn More

Programs

6 weeks – 4 years
Activities to promote your child’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development, plus family programs that build community.

Early Childhood + Apachi Day Camp Combos

3 – 4 years
FREE day camp this summer for full-day, year-round 2023/24 students; half-day students eligible for 20% off the camp fee on their final payment.

What Makes Us Different?

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.

Learn More

 

Classroom Spaces

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.

Virtual Tour

Calendar

Registration & Pricing
2023-24 School Year

Childcare

8/28/23-8/16/24
All ages are as of Sept 1, 2023

ProgramAgeDaysTimePrice/moMonths
5-Day Infant/Tot6 wks-14 mosM-F8:30am-5:00pm$2,44012
5-Day Toddlers15-23 mosM-F8:30am-5:00pm$2,44012
Before and After Care is available.

Register

 

Full-Day Preschool

10-month: 8/28/23-6/14/24**
12-month: 8/28/23-8/16/24
All ages are as of Sept 1, 2023
**End date of 10 month full day program is contingent on CPS 2023-24 calendar

ProgramAgeDaysTimePrice/moMonths
5-Day 2s2 yrsM-F8:30am-5pm$2,44010 or 12
5-Day 3s3 yrsM-F8:30am-5pm$2,44010
Before and After Care is available.

Register

 

Before & After Care

ProgramAgeDaysTimePrice/mo
5-Day Before CareAllM-F7:30-8:30am$264
5-Day After CareAllM-F5-6pm$264

 

Half-Day Preschool

8/28/23-5/24/24
All ages are as of Sept 1, 2023

ProgramAgeDaysTimePrice/moMonths
5-Day Toddlers15-23 mosM-F9-11:30am$1,5009
5-Day Toddlers with Lunch15-23 mosM-F9am-1pm$2,0909
2-Day 2s2 yrsT/Th9-11:30am$6609
2-Day 2s with Lunch2 yrsT/Th9am-1pm$8309
3-Day 2s2 yrsM/W/F9-11:30am$9509
3-Day 2s with Lunch2 yrsM/W/F9am-1pm$1,2109
5-Day 2s2 yrsM-F9-11:30am$1,4009
5-Day 2s with Lunch2 yrsM-F9am-1pm$1,7109
3-Day 3s3 yrsM/W/F9-11:30am$8509
3-Day 3s with Lunch3 yrsM/W/F9am-1pm$1,2909
5-Day 3s3 yrsM-F9-11:30am$1,2409
5-Day 3s with Lunch3 yrsM-F9am-1pm$1,8409

Register

 

Camp/Preschool Combos

Camp: 6/20/23-8/4/23
Preschool: 8/28/23-6/14/24**

All ages are as of Sept 1, 2023
**End date of 10 month full day program is contingent on CPS 2023-24 calendar

New Camp Scholarship starting in 2023-2024!

Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, 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/PreschoolAgeDaysPrice/mo*Months
Apachi Irving Park +
5-Day 3s (Full-Day Preschool)**
3 yrsM-F | M-F$2,41512
*For full day 3s ONLY, the camp portion will be discounted on the end of the payment schedule.
**Drop-off and Pick-up for 3s Combo is at Apachi Irving Park. Bussing & before care/after care is not included in combo rate

Register

2022-23

Childcare

8/29/22-8/18/23
All ages are as of Sept 1, 2022

ProgramAgeDaysTimePrice/moMonths
5-Day Infant/Tot6 wks-14 mosM-F7:30am-6:00pm$2,69012
5-Day Toddlers15-23 mosM-F7:30am-6:00pm$2,58012

Application

 

Full-Day Preschool

10-month: 8/29/22-6/16/23
12-month: 8/29/22-8/18/23
All ages are as of Sept 1, 2022

ProgramAgeDaysTimePrice/moMonths
5-Day 2s2 yrsM-F7:30am-6:00pm$2,41010 or 12
5-Day 3s3 yrsM-F7:30am-6:00pm$1,97010
5-Day 4s4 yrsM-F7:30am-6:00pm$1,97010

Application

 

Half-Day Preschool

8/29/22-5/26/23
All ages are as of Sept 1, 2022

ProgramAgeDaysTimePrice/moMonths
5-Day Toddlers15-23 mosM-F9:00-11:30am$1,3609
5-Day Toddlers15-23 mosM-F9:00am-1:00pm$1,9009
2-Day 2s2 yrsT/Th9:00-11:30am$6009
2-Day 2s2 yrsT/Th9:00am-1:00pm$7509
3-Day 2s2 yrsM/W/F9:00-11:30am$8609
3-Day 2s2 yrsM/W/F9:00am-1:00pm$1,1009
5-Day 2s2 yrsM-F9:00-11:30am$1,2709
5-Day 2s2 yrsM-F9:00am-1:00pm$1,5509
3-Day 3s3 yrsM/W/F9:00-11:30am$7709
3-Day 3s3 yrsM/W/F9:00am-1:00pm$1,1709
5-Day 3s3 yrsM-F9:00-11:30am$1,1309
5-Day 3s3 yrsM-F9:00am-1:00pm$1,6709
5-Day 4s with Lunch4 yrsM-F9:00am-1:00pm$1,6709

Application

 

Camp/Preschool Combos

Camp: 6/20/22-7/29/22
Preschool: 8/29/22-6/16/23

All ages are as of Sept 1, 2022

Combo With…ProgramAgeCamp Days | Preschool DaysPrice/mo*Months
Apachi Irving ParkCamp + 5-Day 4s
(Full-Day Preschool)
4 yrsM-F | M-F$1,94012
*20% off camp fees will be taken off your final payment

Please note: Due to record inflation there will be a one-time surcharge of $25/week per camper for the camp portion of your combo to support a rise in direct costs including counselor pay. Given the important role of our summer staff, we have increased their pay to ensure our ability to hire the very best team for our campers.

Incentives, Policies & Forms

Incentives

Learn More

 

After Registration

You will need to complete various forms electronically. At the link below you can find the following:

  • Intake Forms
  • Parent Guide
  • Early Childhood Code of Honor
  • Summary of DCFS Licensing Standards
  • Late Pick-up Policy

Get The Forms

 

Registration Policies

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.

Payment Policy

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.

Half-Day Preschool

Program fees are due in 9 equal installments beginning in June 2022 (for the 22-23 school year). Other payment options may be arranged by contacting Customer Solutions at support@jccchicago.org.

Childcare, Full-Day Preschool

Program fees are due in 10 or 12 equal installments beginning in June 2022 (for the 22-23 school year). Other payment options may be arranged by contacting Customer Solutions at support@jccchicago.org.

Early Childhood/Day Camp Combo

Program fees are due in 12 installments in April 2022 (for the 22 camp season and 22-23 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.

Childcare, Half-Day Preschool, Full-Day Preschool; Early Childhood + Day Camp Combo Programs

All cancellations must be made in writing up to one month (30 days) before the desired cancellation date (last date of attendance). Payments made prior to the cancellation notice will be retained, and payment obligations will continue until 30 days before the cancellation date. Your $500 registration fee ($250 if you applied for financial assistance) is non-refundable. The cancellation will be processed 30 days before the last day of service if notified in advance (more than 30 days).

For combo program cancellations, you may incur additional fees as combo pricing will no longer be valid.

 

For full day sites with core hours, what if I don’t register for additional coverage and later need coverage at the beginning and/or end of the day?

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).

 

For full day sites with core hours, what if I no longer need coverage at the start and/or end of the day?

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.

We would love to speak with you!

Taking a virtual tour offers families a chance to “meet” our Directors, learn about our indoor and outdoor classrooms, and discuss our unique educational approach.

Schedule a Tour

NAEYC Accreditation

JCC Chicago Early Childhood has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The NAEYC accreditation signifies that our Early Childhood program meets this gold standard for excellence in Early Childhood education.

naeyc