Berkeley Parents Network: Jewish Community Services Afterschool Programs

Berkeley Parents Network

Jewish Community Services Afterschool Programs

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Jewish Community Services Afterschool Programs

Re: Afterschool Care at Thornhill (Feb 2005)
Our daughter attends the Jewish Community Services aftercare program, known as Olam Yeladim (OY), and we are very happy with it. The most impressive aspect to me, as a parent and educator, is the attention that is given to children's development of social and play skills. Staff really get to know and enjoy each child as an individual. It is a plus that some of those outside programs (such as ice-skating and aikido) are offered so that children of working parents can experience them at a reasonable hour of the day, but the-on site clubs are also varied and creative. The kids sign up for activitites that rotate every 10 weeks or so. I think my daughter's favorite so far was the ''Hogwarts'' club, where kindergarteners and first graders played elaborate imaginative games based on the Harry Potter series. OY also offers full-day programming on days when Oakland Unifed is closed. A Happy OY parent

Re: Afterschool Care at Thornhill (Feb 2005)
My daughter is a 1st grader at Crocker Highlands, and this year we made the decision to switch her from a different after-care program to Jewish Community Services. She is thrilled with the change, and so are we. At her previous after-care, there were approximately 60 kids from K-5 all grouped together in one large space, and she felt very intimidated by the older children. What's nice about the JCS focus on ''chugim,'' or enrichment activities, is that it breaks the kids up into smaller groups with children who are closer to them in age. Every 16 weeks or so, they choose from a new list of chugim, which include everything from gymnastics, hip-hop dance and one- on-one piano lessons to cooking, gardening, dodge ball, making magnets and ''let's get messy'' (one of my daughter's favorites). There's a fee for each chugim, which could be as a little as $5 for magnet making to $150 for gymnastics. The other great thing about JCS is the teachers. Josh Kramer who runs the program is wonderful, and the teachers he hires are warm, fun, energetic and nurturing. JCS also runs a great summer camp, Camp Tzofim, and signing up for one of their 2-week sessions could be a nice way for you to check out the program before the start of the school year. Good luck! Karen

June 2003

JCC Extended Care in Oakland - Does this still exist? I am looking for extended care for a afternoon Kindergartener at Chabot and this was on a list I got. I've called a few times with no answer. Any information on that, or other extended care for k-ers at Chabot would be gratefully received. Jonah

The JCC in Oakland is actually known as JCS--Jewish Community Services. And, yes, they are still in business. Call 658-9222 and speak with Josh Kramer, the director. JCS has a wonderful after school program for grades K-5/6. The site is located on Monte Vista near the Rose Garden. The children are well cared for, treated with respect and kindness, and seem to have lots of fun as they play games, do art projects, cook, read, and play on the computers. JCS has van service to a number of the local schools including Chabot. JCS also offers full day programs on school holidays (great for working parents) and a wonderful summer camp called Camp Tzofim. My daughter has gone to the JCS afterschool program and camp since kindergarten (5 years now) and it has been a terrific experience for her.
A Happy JCS Parent

Olam Yeladim (the Oakland JCC afterschool program) does still exist! Olam Yeladim offers much more then your typical after- school care. Each afternoon includes many fun filled enrichment workshops such as music, dance, swimming, girl's self-defense, basketball, tutoring and more. Chabot elementary school happens to be our largest pickup but our youth buses pick up at many other Oakland and Piedmont schools. Our office hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Please call 510-658-9222 with any questions or set up a tour of the program. If no one answers it means we are busy helping other clients but please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible. joel

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