Early Childhood

Little people love the Shaw JCC! We've got a pool where they can learn to swim, a gym where they can play, and programs where they can learn and have fun.

At the Shaw JCC, our early childhood programs are grounded in An Ethical Start a program for JCC Jewish early childhood parents, teachers, and children. The program is based on passages from Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers (and Mothers), a classic Jewish text that might be described as the "original self help book."

For centuries, lessons from Pirkei Avot have fed an ongoing discussion on how to live, how to operate in the world, and how to identify the values we should hold dear, like friendship, community, and respect for all creation. Drawing from the rich moral teachings of Judaism, you'll enjoy conversations about how to bring these values to your child, to your family, and to your community each day.

We welcome you to take that journey with us at the Shaw JCC. To inquire about our daycare and preschool programs for children ages 6 weeks-5 years, please Call Early Childhood Director Lori Bernstein at 330-835-0027 or email her here.

Learn more, below, about our rich selection of enrichment, physical education and swimming programs for young people, and be sure to check out our programs for the whole family, too!

Please also visit:

An Ethical Start (Shaw JCC Curriculum Website
This City Reads


Discover CATCH Early Childhood
CATCH® Early Childhood is designed to nurture a love of physical activity, provide an introduction to classroom-based gardening and nutrition, and encourage healthy eating in children ages 3-5. Modeled after the nationally recognized CATCH Program, CEC provides an environment where physical activity, health education, gardening and healthy eating behaviors are valued and taught. Little ones are motivated to walk, run, jump, dance and move their whole bodies while playing and having fun.

Lori Bernstein, Early Childhood Director for the Shaw JCC of Akron said, “We are excited to be part of the pilot for CATCH® Early Childhood. The JCC Association’s partnership with CATCH® will provide resources, staff development and health education that will strengthen existing strategies, promote inter departmental planning and highlight ECE’s organic gardening project –now in its third year.”

CEC provides children with games and activities that foster a love of exercise, opportunities to build locomotor, non-locomotor and manipulative skills, and the knowledge to identify basic healthy food choices. “We are very pleased to bring the CATCH program to the variety of activities that we offer at the Shaw JCC. CATCH will allow us to further the continuum of services that we offer in the prevention of childhood obesity,” said Todd.


Summer Playhouse

Summer Playhouse is geared for our youngest community members, ages 6 wks-5 years (entering Kindergarten). Their summer weeks are filled with swimming, gym, camp tunes, nature walks, cooking, age appropriate activities and lots of sunshine! All designed with one goal in mind: Serious fun for everyone!

For more information, check out the Summer Playhouse brochure located on the right hand side of this web page or call Early Childhood Director, Lori Bernstein, at 330-835-0027.
Registration starts February 1, 2012.


The Lippman School
Is your child ready for Kindergarten-8th grade? The Lippman School, conveniently located on the same 750 White Pond campus as the Shaw JCC of Akron offers Kindergarten through 8th grade education. To learn more, please The Lippman School's website by clicking here.