The Jewish Community Center has announced it plans to add classrooms to its Child Development Center.
The JCC will take over the space in the lobby of the Jewish Community Campus that was formerly used as a library by the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. HBHA gave up that space when it redesigned the area it occupies prior to the beginning of the current school year.
Schreiber said in March the JCC will initiate a construction project to build three new classrooms. The project will include a brand new Pre-K suite as well as enhancements to the existing CDC space.
“This is a rare opportunity for an additional 50 children, ages 2 to 4, to get a coveted spot in our top-rated early childhood program, which has been sold out with a waiting list for over 20 years,” said JCC Executive Director Jacob Schreiber.
Schreiber said the project will be complete by August, before the 2012-13 school year begins. The CDC is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and has earned five stars in the Quality Rating System. It serves children ages 12 months and walking through Pre-Kindergarten in both full-time and part-time classes.
CDC’s enrollment currently stands at 176 students, which Schreiber said is capacity. He expects the additional classrooms will increase enrollment to 226 students, filling three 2-year-old classrooms, three 3-year-old classrooms and four Pre-K classes.
Letters have already been sent to those on the CDC waiting list regarding the school’s expansion.
“We expect to fill quite a bit of our new spots from our waiting list,” Schreiber said.
He suggests anyone wanting to save a spot for next year or learn more about CDC enrollment in general contact Maxine Benson at 913-327-8051 or .
Schreiber said the JCC is currently raising funds to help pay for this expansion.