Joy Greisen Jewish Education Center

I toured this center recently && the place is so beautiful. You can tell that the children thrive here in this environment. The staff all seemed happy to be there and do their jobs. The management was very friendly. We already have child care && chose to keep our daughter where she currently is due to her birthday coming up soon. But we are considering switching to this center once her birthday comes and she moves to the next age group. Overall we were very impressed.

We have been so happy with JEC since our son started in one of the toddler rooms last winter. A couple highlights: -The amazing teachers. Our child loves both of his teachers, and it's clear they do an incredible job of managing a classroom of busy toddlers with great professionalism and warmth. They plan super thoughtful, cute activities, and provide daily updates and great pictures of our son through the app. I love the activity updates because then I can talk to my son about what they did in school (e.g., what book they read, what their art activity was, what they talked about during circle time) in the evening. I love the art projects he brings home. At pickup, we also get thoughtful updates on how our son's day went. It's clear the teachers put a lot of thought into making fun plans that foster social emotional learning and skill development (I think they've helped a lot with language and a smooth potty training process), and they do a great job at supporting positive behavior and child independence. We have another baby at home now, and I'm so grateful our son is learning so much at school that helps him be a proud, helpful big brother. -The beautiful facility. JEC is easy to get to but tucked away in such a peaceful location surrounded by trees. The kids get lots of outdoor time in all seasons, including nature walks in the woods on the campus, and they aren't playing right next to a busy road or parking lot. Driving/parking for pick up and drop off feels really easy and safe. The classrooms are set up nicely, and the center is such a nice size - big enough to have great energy from lots of happy kids and a community of families but small enough to feel warm and friendly and for all the staff to know my son. -Special extras - one thing I wanted to note is JEC did a school-wide field trip to the zoo! I didn't know toddler daycares even did field trips, but this was amazing. Our son was probably the most excited he's ever been when he got to ride the school bus there (with his special toddler seat harness). It was a great trip, and then his class spent the next week learning about all the different animals they saw (giving our son his new love of musk ox). This is just one example of how JEC and the teachers work to bring their students joy and even at the toddler level plan such a thoughtful, engaging curriculum. One last note - I saw another review mentioned the "diet rules" as a negative, but we have found the guidance for packed lunches to be no hassle at all. We appreciate the cultural aspect of JEC along with the other things that have made it a great fit for our family.

The school is an interesting location. On top of teaching the basics that best fits the age group, they dive into Jewish culture as well, which is great for broadening cultural knowledge. However, I feel like the beliefs are forced, such as forcing all kids to go by the Jewish diet rules and celebrating the holidays whether you believe in it or not. The assistant director isn't good at keeping confidential information, as she has told others private information without consent. I know this because she did this to me.

We are so glad we found JEC. It is clear the caretakers love what they do and my son loves going to school. He has learned so much since starting almost 2 years ago. The teachers and administration are very open with communication. They encourage independence in the classroom while also having fun and being creative. My son is in the toddler class and just loves it. They do a good bit of activities outside all year round! We are very grateful to have this school! Highly recommend!

I have had 3 children going here since 2017. Two of the three children still attend JEC daily, my oldest goes for their school age children’s camp during ASD closures. The staff are amazing, and my kids adore their teachers. They do lots of learning activities, nature walks, free play time and much more. The facilities is kept in good condition and is very secure with badge access. Overall we love JEC and have kept our children there and will continue their services there.