JCC's Three Preschools to be 'Phase 1' of
Federation's Grow Jewish Columbus efforts (cont'd.)

In light of this, the JCC's Northeast Task Force has created a vision for serving the Jewish population through facilities and programming. The goal of this future plan is to strengthen and connect this segment of our community to each other and to Jewish community institutions and organizations.

Some might ask, "If we want a community of excellence, why should we start with Early Childhood programs?" And that would be a good question. Let me answer it by pointing out many factors which must be considered. The community has spent time exploring how to create a community of excellence. How do we support and improve upon an already sound program? How do we increase participation and connectedness among community members? A key starting point that has been targeted is with young children and families.

Early Childhood Education offers many valuable ways to connect with children and families to affect the community at large. This becomes clear when you view the program not simply as a daycare or preschool for children, but as an experience for the whole family. Early Childhood programs have an amazing opportunity to influence the current and future strength of the Jewish Community. In order to ensure that this happens, our Early Childhood programs must model excellence.

To accomplish this goal, the JCC and Columbus Jewish Federation have outlined areas of action required to enhance JCC programming for young families at each of the JCC's three preschools.

In the Northeast (JCC New Albany Preschool), those goals include an investment of capital funds to accomplish the following:

• Expansion of size and scope of the program, including addition of an infant and toddler program, and strengthening of after school and summer activities.
• Creating comfortable family and adult programming tied into holidays, educational opportunities and outreach programming.
• Offering a variety of fitness classes, adult and youth sports leagues, and wellness programs for the Northeast community in their neighborhood.
• Creating social and Jewish cultural middle school and teen programming which will continue to tie youth into community activities after bar/bat mitzvah.
• Collaborating with other agencies for programming and community wide events.

Goals for the Northwest (JCC North Preschool) include an investment to purchase or lease a facility, renovate, and install a playground. Key components are:

• Develop a facility that will include increased program space by three to four classrooms, a kitchen, library, and multi-purpose spaces.
• Increasing children's, family, outreach, and community programming in a more centralized location.
• Offer outreach opportunities and building community.

An investment into the JCC College Avenue site would create an opportunity for:

• An indoor playground, which would allow for developmentally appropriate indoor play in inclement or cold weather.
• A welcome/family space to increase the "family feel" of the JCC. This space could include a coffee bar to encourage parents to make connections with others, and participate in additional programming.

An investment for all three sites would create an endowment for "Best in Class" educators by recruiting and retaining teachers with Education or Early Childhood degrees.

I invite those with questions about this project to contact me at the JCC. I will be happy to further dialogue about our goals and vision.

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