The Roth Family JCC of Greater Orlando

Both my wife and I highly recommend the JCC in Maitland. We started off as a Shayna’s Village member 7 years ago and loved all of the Mommy and Me classes that we took. They were well thought out and unique and superior to other Mommy and Me facilities that I attended. I became a JCC member 6 years ago and can’t say enough wonderful things about the staff and learning environment as a whole. My wife has a Masters degree in Elementary Education so finding the perfect preschool for my boys was so important to us. Both of my boys have flourished both academically as well as socially and we couldn’t be more thankful for the JCC. Each year we continue to be more and more impressed with the curriculum and teachers, we also love that the kids go to specials at such a young age. I also use the workout facility and attend some of the group classes. I love the classes that I have participated in. I have made many life-​long friends through this JCC community and so have my boys. We are thrilled to be part of this wonderful school and so thankful for the JCC.

Actually, my experience with the JCC was awful and something that I would not wish upon anyone. I moved to the area and had researched many schools online, and saw that JCC was very highly rated. I contacted the school in Feb and spoke with Marci. Since I was moving from out of state (St. Louis), I told her I wouldn’t be able to come by for a visit right away, but she said that she could save my son a spot for when we moved down at the end of March. Then, I called later in March, right before we moved, asking for more details and Marci told me on the phone that she may not have any spots and when I told her what she told me in Feb, she denied ever saying that. After several denials, I asked her to at least look and then when she did, she found her notes saying that she did save me a spot.
Then we came down the next week and I brought my son Lukas, who just turned 3 years old, into JCC for a visit. Marci brought us into her office and started asking me about Lukas’ previous daycare. I told her it was an in-​home daycare with a small group of kids with multiple ages that had done great things for Lukas, including giving him advanced language skills. Her response was, «Well did she do any listening exercises with him? Does he even know how to sit in circle? Does he know how to line up?» I was taken aback by such an abrasive response and not even really sure how to answer. My son had just turned 3 years old and she seemed to be implying that he was not properly «trained» and that I had made a grave mistake putting him into an in-​home daycare. Then she proceeded to tell me that, «well we can put him into this 3 year old class, but this class has been together for the entire year and I’m not sure how he will do. And ultimately, we have to preserve the learning environment.» I was shocked that during an orientation, this woman who barely said two words to my son was basically telling me that he would get kicked out of school before even starting it! And after the entire experience, I realized that she was trying to put my son into an older class that he didn’t belong in, since he would be the youngest by far, probably just to fill a spot. But of course that didn’t register during this nightmare experience. She then told me that I would need to come with Lukas for several hours each day to try to acclimate him to school. I also learned later, from other schools, is that this is NOT the way to do it, and when parents are there with the kids, they don’t learn to engage with the classroom and the teachers. And a good teacher knows and encourages that.
Well then my son started to pick up on the vibe in the room and how awful it was and then started to act out, running out of the room. I brought him back and then we went on the tour. During the tour, when my son wasn’t listening when we told him to come here, Marci had a judgmental look and never once acknowledged that he is ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. Looking back, I realized that my son had a better understanding of what was going on than I did and WANTED TO GET OUT OF THERE.
We saw several parts of the school, where Marci at various times, told me things like, «I just don’t like to see children sad. I have such a place in my heart for sad children» and told me that I had a Mid-​western accent.
Needless to say, I left and never came back. I was not surprised at all that no one even bothered to call me even though I was supposed to bring in Lukas the next day and start school that Monday.
To say I was disappointed is a gross understatement. I was appalled at the experience. I had to frantically search for other options for my son in only 1 day, since my husband and I were starting back to work after the move. Luckily, we found a loving and experienced preschool nearby who had teachers that acknowledge and nurture their 3 year old students, as I noticed immediately when they engaged with Lukas. He is happy there now and I hope that no one has to go through the JCC experience I went through.

We moved to Central Florida 10 years ago and have an 8 year old daughter named Hope. Since she was 2 she has been enrolled in various programs at the JCC in Maitland, FL. She attended the pre-​school and has flourished in all the activities and programs preparing her for kindergarten and elementary school and now participates in the after school programs at J University. The bus program id phenomenal and alleviates worry and stress about transporting her to and from the programs. She is so well rounded and involved in karate, piano, exercise and group programs that have nurtured her and created life-​long relationships with other children and their families.
Although we are not of the Jewish faith, we love the fact that Hope is learning the culture and exposed to all the learning of the Jewish traditions and their meaning as they relate to life lessons.
We as a family belong to the JCC and take advantage of their exercise programs, personal training programs, and pool activities during the weekends!
I cannot speak more highly of a facility and recommend to check into the JCC and all it has to offer — Toni & Joe Liegeois

Highly recommend the Preschool program. Teachers go above and beyond to meet the needs of each individual child. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. There are a lot of amenities included in the membership including the pool, gym, Shayna’s Village — although most of the hours are tough for working parents. The facility is clean. Newly renovated patio playground that is preschool age appropriate. highly recommend.

Great workout gym. They have everything. Love that they have all sizes of weights. TV, machines. Music, but not too loud. Good A/​C. Classes are great. Pool is nice. Good value for the price. Most people in Maitland/​Wp don’t know how nice it is.

This review is about the Maitland JCC’s Early Childhood Learning Center. This center is the best daycare and preschool center I have ever worked with. I have provided services to children in many centers throughout my career and the JCC’s center is the best by far. The teachers and the administrators have worked at the J as long as I have been providing services there (four years); many of the staff have been there over ten years.
Every time I enter the center I see the children having fun in music classes, art activities, and sensory experiences. The administrators are always checking in on classes, ensuring the teachers and kids are in an optimal state. If a child is struggling, the admin. is resourceful and offers the teachers suggestions and strategies. The center offers to families access to occupational therapy and speech therapy services (provided by outside therapists– not employed by JCC) on site; this is super convenient for families who don’t have the time to take their child to an occupational therapy or speech clinic.
Although this is connected to the Jewish Community Center, children and their family need not be of the Jewish faith to attend this daycare and preschool. If you want the best environment for your little one, you need to check out the JCC’s Early Child Learning Center.

I was here for their annual «Beat the Heat 5k» which is a great race that I run every year. The facility is very nice with ample parking, a beautiful pool, a Bagel King, and much more.

Great family orientied center in Maitland. Seems to be a lot of activities for people of all ages. I am not a member of the center and have attended the Israeli dancing classes several times.
The instructors are very helpful and all of the dancers are friendly and willing to help you join in. It’s a really great time.
I was asked to sign in at the front desk and show my driver license.

I have only been here for business!
They do service their community and it also has really great athletic facilities.