Parents who work downtown have a new day care option for their children ages six weeks to two years.
Jewish Family Services is now offering its early childhood day care program at its new headquarters at 1300 N. Jackson St. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (5 p.m. closure on Fridays).
The new program is a satellite service to the agency’s Child Development Center in Whitefish Bay, which has been providing programming for children up to age six for more than 20 years.
Judy Strauss, JFS vice president of programs, explained, “We added the service because we were aware of the need for quality day care in downtown Milwaukee.”
According to Harriet Bocksenbaum, director of the JFS Child Development Center, “We have wanted to offer a downtown program for some time, but space in our offices on Prospect [in the Helfaer Community Services Building] was too small. Luckily, we were able to accommodate a program when we planned our new facility.”
The program was planned with a capacity for eight children and provides a secure, separate entrance for the parents and children.
“With only word of mouth advertising, we already have five children enrolled. Coincidentally, we’ve dubbed the center ‘The Men’s Club’ because, so far, we only have boys,” mused Nancy Lorber, assistant director, who heads what is really called JFS Child Development Center II.
Ann Benjamin is thrilled to have a downtown day care site for her son David, 17 months. “We live on the east side and I work downtown. I don’t have a car so I needed a day care program on a bus line,” she said.
Benjamin and her husband, Richard, said they heard about the program from a friend, to whom they had complained about the lack of downtown day care. That friend, it turns out, is building JFS’ playground at the site.
Benjamin especially likes “being able to see her son during the day. He’s happy there in what I see as a very caring educational environment. He’s growing and developing, and I think the staff keeps things interesting for him. Also, I like the Judaic component. We talk about the holidays and Shabbat.”
Further, she said she is pleased with the level of communication she has with the teachers. “I get a full report about his day and how he is feeling, which I find, as a parent, to be very reassuring.”
Bocksenbaum added, “A downtown site is wonderful for parents who work in the area. It allows them an opportunity to drop in for a quick visit at lunch time or while on a break. Also, it’s perfect for moms who are breastfeeding.”
Further, she feels the “little ones” have an easy transition when they shift north to the Whitefish Bay site as they remain “within the JFS boundaries.”
The program boasts a low teacher-child ratio of 1-4. Lorber, who has been with the program for 16 years, said, “We offer a high comfort level for parents as they leave their very young children in the care of others.”
Currently, the center has two full-time certified teachers and plans to add volunteer aides when the enrollment hits its peak.
Hilde and John Korsmo learned of the program from friends, who have children enrolled at the Whitefish Bay site. “We live in the city and I work in Brookfield,” said Hilde, “so we were looking for a city site,” for son Gabriel, who is a year old.
Hilde said, “He adjusted very quickly and is very happy. I feel the staff is great and spends quality time with him. I like the fact that it only has room for a few kids. For me, the quality of the program is number one, but location is also important.”
Acknowledging that child care is vital in today’s society where many families have two working parents, Bocksenbaum said, “We must be more than a babysitting service. Even with our infants, our mission is to foster creativity and develop cognitive learning skills through tactile and art activities.
“We’re starting today to mold tomorrow. What we do as early childhood educators impacts the next phase of their education.”
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