Why the ELC was the right place for me and my family

By Lindsay Grossman

When we were looking for childcare options for our oldest son Benji, who was two at the time, we wanted the obvious- a center that was clean, up to date, and well-staffed.  I was also determined to find teachers who would love my child like he was their own.  As Benji was encountering developmental challenges, particularly with communication, I knew we needed a center with all of the above criteria and a center that understood early childhood development and early intervention.  Fortunately for our family, the ELC is all of that and so much more!

Drop offs have always been a really tough part of the day, but I knew the ELC was the right choice for us when his teachers (shout out Mallory and Alex!) would get down on the floor- literally lay down in the hallway with him- and wait until he felt comfortable enough to walk into the room after Mommy said goodbye.  At that moment I knew we had found the right place: a loving and knowledgeable staff, and clean enough for even the adults to lay on the floor! 

When we had our second child, Leo, there was no hesitation in enrolling him in the ELC.  Even as an infant we knew his experience would be exceptional.  The teachers are incredibly loving, knowledgeable about infant development, and make sure the babies have fun too!  There are not many places you can go to where no matter if your child is happy, sad, mad, or tired, they are always greeted with an “I love you.”

As a mom of young kids, life is hectic and I am constantly tired.  However, when I walk into the ELC there is a sense of comfort in knowing the support I have- from the director to the teachers to the security, that makes life easier for me.  Because of that, I knew the ELC wasn’t just the right place for my kids; it was also the right place for me and my family.  My husband and I have been part of the J Parent program, which has been fantastic in helping us connect with other parents in the ELC community beyond the preschool building.  Through this program, I also became involved in the Jewish Connection Network as a parent connector, a role in which I am working to build a community of parents raising children with developmental differences.

The J Parent program offers parenting education through a Jewish lens, which is incredibly valuable to us. The opportunity to take a step back and learn from the long history of Jewish philosophy in child-rearing has helped us feel more connected to Judaism in a new and meaningful way.  Additionally, our children are gaining a deeper understanding of Judaism through their time at the ELC. They are not just learning about Jewish values like Tzelem Elohim, Tikkun Olam, and Chesed- they are experiencing those values every day.

As both an early childhood educator and parent, the ELC stands out to me in so many ways.  The teachers are incredible- joyful, loving and knowledgeable.  The center and campus are beautiful. The children spend plenty of time outside every day, rain, sun, or snow.  They are learning skills that you might not expect at a daycare like cooking, gardening, and swimming.  The ELC has a wonderful and inclusive program and philosophy that sets it apart from many other centers, and the development of my two children, both with wildly different strengths and needs, is a testament to that.

For any parents considering the Stoler ELC, I would absolutely encourage them to enroll their child here. But beyond that, I would encourage them to walk the halls, listen carefully to how the teachers speak to and about the children, meet Dani and the leadership team, and ask the hard questions. Parenting comes with challenges you can’t always anticipate, and having the support of the ELC has been invaluable to our family.

For more information about the ELC, please visit jcc.org/program/stoler-early-learning-center/