Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center at Temple Israel, Boston

FJECC is a wonderful place for children to attend preschool. What really sets it apart are the highly trained teachers and the exceptional student-to-teacher ratio. Every staff member has a background in child care or child development, and many hold master’s degrees. The kids receive excellent support and have amazing adult role models guiding them. My 3.5-year-old is finishing their second year at FJECC, and we’re so excited for our 18-month-old to start in the toddler room this fall. Not only is our child learning so much—like writing their name—but they are also deeply immersed in Jewish holidays and the Jewish community. We are so grateful for this nurturing and enriching environment!

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• Would recommend▲

We couldn't be happier with our daughter's time at FJECC (4 years!).   The dedication to early childhood development is evident in every detail at FJECC - a true preschool. The quality of teaching is exceptional. The teachers are loving, engaged, and highly professional, creating a genuinely supportive and stimulating environment. The thoughtful curriculum seamlessly integrates learning through play, fostering curiosity and essential skills. FJECC has an amazing outdoor space and are recognized as a certified outdoor classroom. This allows the children to explore, learn, and grow in a natural setting every single day - which is incredible to have in the city. The school's location is also perfectly situated—easy for drop-off and pickup, yet nestled in a spot that feels private and safe.  We are truly blessed to have found FJECC, and highly, highly recommend!

Both of my children have had wonderful experiences at FJECC. They have been so well taken care of and learned so much. The teachers are very invested in their personal and intellectual development, and there is a real sense of community across the school. The music classes and Shabbat Sing are personal highlights of our kids, as well as the outdoor playground. I couldn't recommend FJECC more! We will be sad when our kids age out. Our children love it!

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My child is in their second year of school at FJECC and is thriving. Every teacher I've interacted with is so engaging and patient with the kids. I never have a doubt that my child is well cared for there. I love that there are flexible timing options for dropoff and pickup. The classrooms are spacious and the outdoor play space is the best in the area. Not to mention a great community of parents.

Very frightening experience with the teachers. Do not bring your children here.

• Cohen

Hola! Fui asistente de esta escuela mientras vivía con mi marido en Boston, soy Chilena. Quede fascinada con la creatividad, responsabilidad y respeto con la enseñanza hacia el niño y la forma en que llevaban el aprendizaje. Las salas eran acogedoras, limpias, ordenadas, con plantas y con materiales en buen estado y diversos. Los cambiaban cada dos semanas según el tema a trabajar. Las unidades eran inspiradas por libros u otro tema ya establecido. Por ejemplo, nunca olvidaré cuando en la sala azul se inspiraron de la “cenicienta” para llevar acabo las matemáticas, ciencias, lectura etc. los niños jugaban a comprar zapatos y medirlos. En la sala morada tenía la pared “Me pregunto…” donde las profesoras anotaban las preguntas de los niños que se hacían y luego buscaban respuestas y las compartían. Las profesoras tenían la rutina del día en fotos reales de la escuela, lo que permite ubicar al niño y saber en qué momento está y por supuesto anticiparlo. Nunca olvidare esta escuela. Su directora Helen Cohen en este momento, quien era exigente, detallista y muy profesional. Las profesoras Jodi y Darby excelentes en su trato y enseñanza. Por último había un espacio lleno de libros hermosos, ordeñaos, bien cuidados, y diversos. Estos estaban dispuestos para las profesoras para leerlos en sus salas y luego había que devolverlos. Obviamente, en cada sala habían también libros para que los niños pudiesen escoger. No existe la escuela perfecta, pero esta debo decir que era bastante completa. Si es importante que TODO el profesorado sea extremadamente amable y paciente con los niños. No la mayoría, sino que todos. Y gente con energía para que puedan jugar y acompañar a los niños.

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My son Gus had an incredible year in the 3-year-old program at FJECC. His teachers were thoughtful, fun, experienced, and patient. Gus loved them and they loved him back. The community of families and children were so warm and welcoming. I especially loved the opportunity to gather every Friday for Shabbat. The curriculum was engaging and well thought out, especially an ongoing exploration of seeds and plants that inspired Gus enormously. The administrators are present and responsive. He needed some extra support and this was handled with such kindness — I never got the sense that they thought he was a burden or “bad” — which was an incredible gift. I’m an early childhood educator and could not recommend FJECC more highly.

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The enriching educational program at FJECC has more than prepared my two children for kindergarten and I am extremely grateful. Thanks to the warm and nurturing teachers, my once shy daughter is graduating this Spring with great self-confidence. Amy Bolotin, the FJECC Director, is an incredible leader and I love how she decorates the hallway walls with photos highlighting the curriculum from each classroom. Every morning when I see my daughter's face light up with the biggest smile as we enter the building, it makes my long commute 100% worth it. The FJECC has been a special experience for me as well, I have made several close friends throughout my years here, all thanks to the warm and welcoming community. This vibrant school is a gem. THANK YOU FJECC!

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FJECC is truly the best preschool in the Greater Boston Area. When our oldest child was accepted into multiple preschools in Boston, we chose FJECC based on glowing feedback from other dual-physician families such as ourselves. We could not have been happier with our decision. FJECC is simply exceptional - the teachers are phenomenal, and the head of school Amy Bolotin knows every student and his/her families. Our children have run into school every day full of joy, eager to learn and grow, and happy! We were thrilled to have our older child accepted to a top independent school from FJECC, for which FJECC is historically a "feeder school", with amazing guidance from Jenny Gamson, the school's assistant director and head of admissions. As our older child entered her PreK-8 school, we were so impressed to see how wonderfully prepared she was as an FJECC alumna across all measures - reading, writing, math, SEL, in each and every area. Thank you FJECC for nurturing our children, caring for them as your own, and providing them the best early childhood education we could have imagined. We are forever grateful!

FJECC has been more wonderful than words can describe for our daughter, and our family has loved being a part of the TI/FJECC community these past few years. We are immensely grateful to the teachers and directors, who go above and beyond to create a deeply enriching environment in which our daughter has thrived.