J Stories | The Arroyo Family
Play Video Listen to the article 3:40 minutes The Arroyo family Four years ago, Melissa Arroyo was handed a diagnosis that would reshape how she thought about her daughter’s future. Her daughter,
Early Childhood Education
Ranked one of the best preschools in Tucson, the Tucson J’s Early Childhood Education program welcomes families of all backgrounds to learn, play, and grow with us. Our play-based curriculum supports the uniqueness of every child, with a special focus on creativity, building confidence, instilling a life-long love of learning, and kindergarten-readiness. We proudly offer three Spanish immersion classrooms, giving children the opportunity to develop bilingual skills in a supportive environment. Our program is DES-approved and welcomes infants through pre-k–aged students.
With flexible options to support every family, contact us today to explore the right childcare option for you.
With flexible options to support every family, contact us today to explore the right childcare option for you.
Contact + Schedule a Tour
Infant Care + Education
- Available starting at 6 weeks old
- Developmentally appropriate experiences
- Daily outside opportunities
- Low 1:4 ratios
- Safe, caring, and qualified infant teachers
- Arizona Infant + Toddler Guidelines
The Tucson J is one of few infant daycare centers in Tucson. We reference the Arizona Infant + Toddler Guidelines, ensuring your baby can safely grow and succeed with us.
Toddler Care + Education
- 12-24 months
- Appropriate developmental levels to build self-esteem and encourage curiosity
- Experiences promote exploration and problem-solving
- Language development through song, modeling, and play
- Arizona Infant + Toddler Guidelines
Children between 12 and 24 months join our toddler childcare program. Toddlers participate in specialty early childhood education like music, cooking, and fitness.
Preschool Learning
- Learning opportunities that take into account the child’s present abilities, interests, and cognitive, physical, and social/emotional development
- Preparing children to become proficient readers and writers so they are kindergarten-ready
- Meaningful experiences to problem solve and develop an understanding of the meaning of numbers and fundamental mathematical concepts
- Science curriculum is bas on a “wonder and why” approach
- Arizona Early Learning Standards
For children 2 years and older, our preschool program follows the Arizona Infant + Toddler Guidelines. Preschool and pre-kindergarten education are focused on children’s interests and needs. We encourage trying new things and (of course) lots of play!
Tucson J Early Childhood Education Center voted Best of Tucson 2025
The Sheva Framework
The Early Learning Framework is rooted in and informed by seven Jewish lenses—core, universal values that can be part of the lived experience of children, educators, and families. “Sheva,” which means “seven” in Hebrew, is a powerful number in Jewish thought and practice. The framework is built on seven core elements of early childhood education, influenced by multiple philosophies of early education and the most recent and highly regarded research on children’s learning, adult development, and an understanding of the needs of 21st-century families.
The lenses and core elements are at the heart of a constructivist, strengths-based approach to early childhood Jewish education that sees children and the adults who care for them as capable and competent.
Sheva Core Elements
- Early Childhood Directors as Visionaries
- Early Childhood Educators as Professionals
- Families as Engaged Partners
- Constructing Curriculum with Young Children
- Universal Design for Learning and Inclusion
- Jewish Peoplehood
- Health and Wellbeing
Sheva Lenses
- Masa (Journey)
- B’rit (Covenant)
- Tzelem Elohim (Divine Image)
- K’dushah (Holiness)
- Hit’orerut (Awakening)
- D’rash (Interpretation)
- Tikkun Olam (Repair of the World)
Enrollment Steps
For new families to our ECE please follow the following steps to be considered for the 2026-2027 school year starting August 3, 2026:
Click here to view the Rate Sheet
1.
Create a Brightwheel account here.
3.
Complete a membership application.
- You can set your start date to August 3 (first day of the new school year).
4.
Receive confirmation of your submission within a week.
Are you enrolled in or interested in enrolling in our Early Childhood Education program for the 2026-2027 school year?
These specials are for you!
Refer a Friend
Our Refer-a-Friend special is sweeter than ever! Currently enrolled families receive a FREE month of ECE tuition when they refer a friend who enrolls in our ECE. PLUS the friend referred gets their $200 registration fee waived.
Sibling Discount
Growing families, we’ve got you covered! When you enroll a second or third child, you receive a 5% discount on their tuition (up to 10% total).
Both offers are valid through July 31, 2026, for the 2026-2027 school year. Discounts will be applied upon registration.
Calendar
JUL 23-31 | TEACHER IN-SERVICE
ECE CLOSED
JUL 29, 5PM | PARENT ORIENTATION IN PERSON
ECE CLOSED
JUL 31, 10AM | PARENT ORIENTATION VIRTUAL
ECE CLOSED
JUL 31, 3-5PM | MEET YOUR TEACHER
ECE OPEN
AUG 3 | FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
ECE OPEN
SEP 7 | LABOR DAY
ECE CLOSED | FITNESS + WELLNESS 7AM-2PM
SEP 11 | EREV ROSH HASHANAH
ECE + TUCSON J CLOSES AT 4PM
SEP 21 | YOM KIPPUR
ECE + TUCSON J CLOSED
SEP 25 | EREV SUKKOT
ECE + TUCSON J CLOSES AT 4PM
OCT 2 | EREV SHEMINI ATZERET
ECE + TUCSON J CLOSES AT 4PM
NOV 26 | THANKSGIVING
ECE CLOSED | FITNESS + WELLNESS 7AM-NOON
NOV 27 | DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING
ECE CLOSED | FITNESS + WELLNESS 7AM-2PM
DEC 25 | CHRISTMAS DAY
ECE CLOSED | FITNESS + WELLNESS 7AM-NOON
JAN 1, 2027 | NEW YEAR'S DAY
ECE CLOSED | FITNESS + WELLNESS 7AM-NOON
JAN 2027 | ECE CONTRACT RENEWAL
FOR CURRENT FAMILIES
JAN 18, 2027 | MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
ECE CLOSED
FEB 1, 2027 | ECE OPEN ENROLLMENT
FOR NEW FAMILIES
APR 21, 2027 | EREV PASSOVER
ECE + TUCSON J CLOSES AT 4PM
MAY 27-MAY 28, 2027 | CAMP PLANNING DAYS
ECE CLOSED
MAY 31, 2027 | MEMORIAL DAY
ECE CLOSED | FITNESS + WELLNESS 7AM-2PM
JUN 1, 2027 | FIRST DAY OF CAMP
ECE OPEN
JUL 5, 2027 | INDEPENDENCE DAY OBSERVED
ECE CLOSED | FITNESS + WELLNESS 7AM-2PM
JUL 22-30, 2027 | TEACHER IN-SERVICE
ECE CLOSED
AUG 2, 2027 | 2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR
ECE OPEN
ECE Camp J
Campers in the Tucson J’s Early Childhood Education Camp experience developmentally appropriate programming from experienced educators while engaging in active learning and play. This summer preschool journey allows campers to experience an emergent play-based curriculum of inquiry, experiments, and fun!
In addition to typical preschool activities, campers receive bi-weekly instructional swim, weekly visits to the splash park, visits to the newly renovated preschool and pool playgrounds, and multiple trips to the indoor, air-conditioned Play Space.
Dates + Times
Week 1: May 26-29*
Week 2: June 1-5
Week 3: June 8-12
Week 4: June 15-19
Week 5: June 22-26
Week 6: June 29-July 2*
Week 7: July 6-10
Week 8: July 13-17
Week 9: July 20-22**
*No camp on Monday, May 25TH (Memorial Day) or Friday, July 3RD (In observance of Independence Day)
** Week 9 has been shortened to account for teacher relief days. This week will be prorated.
Hours of Operation are either 9am-4pm or 7am-6pm
Registration, Discount, Payment + Cancellation
Registration
- Registration opens for New and Existing Members on Sunday, January 4
- Registration opens to all on Sunday, January 11
Discounts
- Discounts apply to Tucson J members only
- Early Bird Discount: If a new or existing member registers by January 4 for 6 weeks or more, they receive a 15% discount on their registration
- Sibling Discount: If you are a new or existing member, registering more than 1 camper, you qualify for a 5% sibling discount towards each additional camper’s registration
Payment
We require that all Camp J fees are paid in whole by Friday, May 8. Upon registration, we will collect a $50 registration fee per camper, and a $20 non-refundable deposit per week, per camper. You will notice a payment plan question on the registration form. This is the space for you to choose either weekly or monthly payments, as well as specify your preferred payment plan start date. Your schedule will then be individualized and detailed in your confirmation email. If you bypass the payment plan details on your registration form, we will be under the assumption that you would like to pay in full on Friday, May 8.
Cancellation Policy
- If you must cancel any weeks of camp J you must do so by Friday, April 17 to receive a full refund of fees paid to date, aside from the $20 non-refundable deposit per week, per camper.
- If you cancel any weeks of Camp J by Friday, May 1, your payment due will be reduced to half and you will be responsible for paying the remaining half.
- If you cancel any weeks of Camp J by Friday, May 1 or after, you will be responsible for paying your camper’s registered weeks in full.
Financial Assistance
Need help paying for camp and membership? Click here to learn more about our Tucson J financial assistance opportunities!
Rates
9am-4pm, Monday-Friday: Members $332, Guests $374
7am-6pm, Monday-Friday: Members $369, Guests $416
Age + Unit Info
Yeladim (Children) 3-years old by Sep 1, 2026 (DOB Between Sep 1, 2022 – Aug 31, 2023)
Yeladim campers enjoy the full preschool program, loaded with fun, and new activities. Teachers guide campers through days of adventure and exploration based on the children’s interest. Experiences are developed with a play-based approach where creativity and inquiry are encouraged. Yeladim campers receive bi-weekly instructional swim, weekly visits to the splash park, daily visits to the newly renovated preschool playground, and multiple trips to the indoor, air-conditioned Play Space.
Chaverim (Friends) 4-years old by Sep 1, 2026 (DOB Between Sep 1, 2021 – Aug 31, 2022)
Our Chaverim group experiences developmentally appropriate programming from experienced educators while engaging in active learning and play. We take these energetic campers on a summer journey where they can experience an emergent play-based curriculum of inquiry, experiments, and fun! Chaverim campers receive bi-weekly instructional swim, weekly visits to the splash park, daily visits to the newly renovated preschool playground, and multiple trips to the indoor, air-conditioned Play Space.
Sample Schedule
7-9am
Arrival and greetings: independent choice activities (blocks, dramatic play, art, manipulatives, or outdoor play)
9-9:30am
Circle time: welcoming activities (songs, stories, finger plays, review previous activities, discuss plans for the day)
9:30-10:30am
Instructional swim, wadding pool, or splash pad
10:30-11am
Healthy snack
11-12pm
Learning centers, choices, and child-inspired art experiences
12-12:30pm
Story reading, movement, and jewish culture
12:30-1pm
Lunch
1-3pm
Nap, awake room, or quiet activities
3-3:30
Healthy snack, stories, and music
3:30-4:30pm
Discovery centers or art studio
4:30-6pm
Group activities, independent choices, music or outdoor play
Snacks + Lunch
The Tucson J ECE Camp observes Kashrut standards (Jewish dietary laws) and therefore does not allow meat. Vegetarian lunches may be packed or purchased from Cafe at the J.
Snacks are available twice a day and consist of fresh fruits and vegetables. Snack calendars will be available at the beginning of the month and posted in the ECE office and in each classroom.
We will have challah every Friday for Shabbat.
- To view the menu or order your child’s lunch click the buttons in the section above and choose the days of the week you want lunch delivered to your child’ classroom. Lunches must be ordered by 9:30 am. If you have any problems connect with Debbie in the ECE office. Lunch ordering is available the week prior.
Campers are able to bring their own lunch or complete an online order for a Camp J Hot lunch.
- Menu Coming in April
- Ordering available in May
Staff
- Joline Riddle, Senior Director of Early Childhood Education
Contact Joline Riddle
- Tiffany Mills-Horton, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education
Contact Tiffany Mills-Horton
- Jessie Roth, Officer Manager of Early Childhood Education
Contact Jessie
- Meghan Briceland, Early Childhood Education Communication
Contact Meghan
- Jenn Greenberg, Jewish Culture and Curriculum Coordinator
Contact Jenn
Contact + Schedule a Tour
Summer Camp J Registration
- Registration link for new and existing members will be available on Sunday, January 4
- Registration link for all will be available on Sunday, January 11
https://schools.mybrightwheel.com/sign-in?redirect_path=forms/a664bbd6-22fc-4e0b-8800-39e9362bbb53/self-service
Other Programs for Kids
The J believes in helping kids play, grow, and connect – even beyond early childhood education. Since that’s how we operate, you’ll find a huge variety of classes for kids of all ages. We offer language, music, sports, cooking, dance, and more!
More to explore:
J Stories | The Contento Family
Play Video Listen to the article 4:37 minutes The Contento Family From Early Childhood Education and the JCare after school program to Camp J and beyond, the Tucson J offers so much
Q+A: Tess Ajax, Intuitive Training
The Tucson J is always seeking new wellness opportunities to bring to our community. That’s why we are teaming up with Tess Ajax, founder of Intuitive Training, to bring her pregnancy and postpartum fitness classes to the J!
How the Sheva Framework Shapes Early Childhood at the Tucson J
From the desk of Rachael Mitchell | Sr. Director of Marketing, Communications + PR Throughout each day, babies, toddlers, and preschoolers in the Tucson Jewish Community Center’s Early Childhood Education
Rosh Hashanah Resources, Recipes, and Crafts from PJ Library of Southern Arizona
Shanah Tovah (good year) from PJ Library of Southern Arizona! Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, invites us all to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the new year. Plus, it’s an especially meaningful and fun holiday
JCare afterschool program offers safe and fun afternoons for Tucson students
At the Tucson J, we are dedicated to ensuring that families have everything they need for a meaningful one-stop shop experience, blending childcare and wellness experiences so that everyone can thrive. One way we are making