By Paul Shapiro
But mothers and fathers in the Five Towns as well as East Rockaway, Far Rockaway, Lynbrook, Malverne, Valley Stream and West Hempstead can rest easier, because a local day care center was recently honored by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) with a 2008 Best of Lawrence Award.
The JCC of the Greater Five Towns was selected for its exceptional day care program for children ages 3 months to 2 years. “We are honored to receive this recognition, validating the important role the JCC’s day care program plays in our community in providing a service where parents can rest assured, knowing that their children are cared for in a safe and nurturing environment,” said Rina Shkolnik, the JCC’s executive director.
The USLBA award program recognizes outstanding local businesses and organizations throughout the nation. Each year, the USLBA, a Washington, D.C.-based organization funded by businesses across the country, identifies exceptionally successful companies and nonprofit groups.
The JCC’s two-year-old day care program is part of its Early Childhood Center, and occupies a newly renovated, state-of-the-art facility at Temple Israel in Lawrence. In total, 425 children attend the center, ranging in age from 3 months to 4 years, and 24 are enrolled in the day care program.
"I feel very happy, because the teachers have put so much effort into this day care center," said Early Childhood Director Melissa Wienerkur. "We opened it two years ago and we have 24 babies with no spots open. We even have a waiting list."
Wienerkur said she thinks the teachers are what set the day care program apart from others in the community. “The day care has early-childhood teachers in it, not just day care workers and people who just happen to work in day care,” she said. “There are childhood professionals in our center. The staff at the JCC in general is very dedicated, very warm and nurturing, so that carries over into the day care center as well. You have professionals in the room with this very small group size, and they're able to care for the kids in a very unique way. I think people have really seen a difference.”
Rikki Kryksman of Woodmere has one son in the day care program, and another son who recently moved up to the nursery program. She appreciates that the employees of the Early Childhood Center are always available to help. “I feel like they’re my family,” she said. “They’re always there for us. We have their cell phone numbers; we can call them anytime we want to hear about the children. They're always there to help us. They always have open arms to take your child. I’m happy that I have them, and I’m lucky to have them as part of my life and my sons’ lives.”
Amy Sokel of Woodmere agrees that the staff makes all the difference. "If I had to leave my son Yehoshua with anybody, it would definitely be with [teacher] Morah Chana," she said, "because when I go to work every day, I don't have to worry about him, about anything. I know he’s in the best hands and that his teacher is wonderful. When I pick him up every day he's happy, he's always smiling."
Sokel said she believes the wide range of activities for the children makes the JCC's program unique. "They have so many different things for him, even though he’s just four months old," she said. "They just have so many activities and things they do with them. Every time you come, whether during the day or morning drop-off, they’re always doing something with the kids. As a working parent, I feel very secure that he's being well taken care of."
Meira Wunsch of Far Rockaway has two children in the day care program and one in the nursery program. She heard such good things about the program and its teachers, she said, that she decided to check it out for herself. "Melissa, she is incredible, along with the entire staff," Wunsch said. "They are so loving and so caring and are also very accommodating, which is so important with my crazy schedule. They treat each child as if it's their own, and that's very unique. You don't find that with every day care. I wouldn't trust my kids with anyone else, and that's a pretty big deal. That's why I made my sister send her kids there, too."
Jaimee Samuelson of Woodmere has sent her son Isaac to the program since he was 3 months old. She thinks the JCC's day care is the perfect balance between the secular and religious worlds.
"It makes me feel proud to know that the school itself is being validated for all their hard work because all the teachers, all the aids, all the secular staff, everyone is fabulous," Samuelson said. "And the proof is how he comes home and how happy he is and how much he's learned. My son looks forward each and every morning to go, and that says it all."
Yoni Greenberg of Far Rockaway has two children who attend the enter, one in nursery and one in day care. Greenberg notices a big difference between his children and children who go to other programs. "We're very happy with the program," he said. "We have other friends that send their kids to local play groups, and we noticed a tremendous difference between our kids and the kids who don't go to a structured program."
It seems clear that most parents who use the JCC’s day care center agree that it is a step above the rest. “I've tried other places, and this is by far the best.,” Kryksman said. “I can't imagine going anywhere else.”
For more information about the Early Childhood Center, call the JCC at (516) 569-6733 or go to fivetownsjcc.org.
Comments about this story? PShapiro@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 201.
