About Us
How We Started
Jack & Jill Children’s Center (formerly Jack & Jill Nursery) was founded in 1942 by the Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale to provide child care for the children of working mothers whose husbands were at war. We are proud to be the Junior League’s oldest and longest running Legacy Project. As the profile of families changed to more single parent households, more stringent requirements for government assistance and fewer support systems for families, Jack & Jill evolved to a community-based program with a community-based board of directors.
How We Help
To help a child, we embrace and support the entire family. Our core program includes high-quality, year-round early childhood education accredited by NAEYC(National Association for the Education of Young Children) the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) National Learning Network. Jack & Jill also provides:
- Free, hot, nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack daily for the children.
- Skill building and job training workshops for parents.
- Family literacy programs including a lending library.
- Preventative health care and education.
- Food and clothing banks.
Jack & Jill Alumni
Over the years, Jack & Jill has provided more than 13,000 children one million hours of child care. We love to hear about the successes of our former students, families and volunteers. Have a story to tell or want to be invited to the next alumni BBQ? Email us at alumni@jackandjillcenter.org.
Early Childhood Program Staff
To provide a quality program, we hire exceptional teachers. All of our staff members hold a minimum of a Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC), with the majority of teachers holding a National Child Development Associate certificate (NCDA). In 2008, Jack & Jill launched our Teacher Continuing Education Program that partners with Broward College. Currently one third of our teachers are enrolled working towards their Associates of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. All teachers and staff are certified in Infant/Child/Adult CPR and First Aid.
Classroom Grandparents
For decades Jack & Jill has collaborated with AARP and Senior Volunteer Services to provide each of our classrooms with a grandparent. Our grandparents are a vital part of our program and Jack & Jill family. Daily our grandparents nurture and guide our little ones providing them with one on one love and attention. Some of our grandparents have been with us for more than a decade. We are truly fortunate to have their love and hearts each and every day.
Interested in becoming a grandparent? Apply at www.seniorvolunteerservices.org.
