SJB Child Development Centers

At SJB, we use the Creative Curriculum; a proven and comprehensive, research-based & play-based approach that helps young children learn, through purposeful, engaging activities and experiences.   Here’s what that looks like for your child: 👐 Hands-on learning with real materials and open-ended activities 💬 Language and thinking skills developed through everyday conversations, problem solving and collaboration with teacher and peers. 🤝 Social-emotional growth as they build friendships, confidence and explore social roles 🏃♂️ Physical development through movement and active play We follow each child’s interests, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and independence all at their own pace. The Creative Curriculum nurtures the whole child, helping them build the skills they need for school and beyond. 🌈   #CreativeCurriculum #EarlyLearning #LearningThroughPlay #WholeChildDevelopment #PlayMatters

Squishy, messy, gooey FUN! Sensory play isn’t just a treat for the senses; it boosts brain development, too. This is what hands-on learning really looks like. 🌈 Stimulates curiosity 🖐️ Builds fine motor skills 🧘 Encourages self-regulation   #SensoryPlay #MessyIsMeaningful #LearningThroughPlay

At SJB Cassell, a springtime exploration of insects sparked a strong interest in bees among the children. The teachers began by encouraging the children to share how they see bees, which they expressed through drawings. Their curiosity soon turned to beehives, with many wondering what the inside of a hive looks like. After reading a story about bees, the children created their own beehives using cardboard, carefully placing eggs inside alongside a queen bee. The project culminated in a collaborative effort to build a large beehive and model bees, turning their fascination into a creative, hands-on learning experience guided by the teachers and fueled by the children’s imagination and curiosity.

We are thrilled to shine our Staff Spotlight on Maggie Beher, a fundamental member of the SJB Child Development Centers team.   Maggie has been a part of the SJB family since 2019, bringing care and consistency to every role she's taken on. She began as a teacher floater at SJB Kennedy, spending much of her time in the toddler classroom, where she quickly became a trusted and familiar face. Today, she continues to support our young learners as a valued teacher in the infant classroom at SJB Foothill.   Maggie comes to work each day with optimism and enthusiasm for the work that she does. Her philosophy is centered around listening and caring for each individual child and to provide them the same respect that she would an adult. That respect spreads into building relationships with them, as well as with their families. Maggie truly loves what she does at SJB, and it's reflected in the way the children interact with her. By closely observing and continuously learning, she's able to understand her surroundings and provide care tailored to each child's individual needs. She applies the positive things she learns from other teachers and from what the children are doing, in order to create a nurturing environment in which everyone feels safe and comfortable.   Maggie speaks with incredible passion regarding her work, saying, "The children talk to you without language, so you must be able to read what they are telling you. They are just little people that will one day grow up, so I show them and their parents the utmost respect. When parents are here, we want them to know that we respect and care about everyone because if the babies are happy, the parents are happy."   In her current role, Maggie is caring for the infants at SJB Foothill and is loving every second of it! Throughout the day, she leads purposeful activities that are engaging and designed to enhance motor skills and cognitive growth. She has a natural intuition on how to connect with children, that is displayed in the love that she receives back from them, as well as her co-workers.   Maggie feels that one of the most important aspects of her job is having a healthy relationship with the rest of her team. She feels that building those connections is essential to providing a nurturing environment for children, because they are heavily influenced by teachers' emotions and mood. So, by having a stable and professional working relationship with everyone around her, it allows her to focus on what truly matters, the children.   Thank you, Maggie, for your years of service, your uplifting energy, and your steadfast dedication to the children, families, and team at SJB. You make a lasting difference every day, and are helping SJB by building better tomorrows, today!

This week, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to all of our incredible SJB teaching staff. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for the passion, dedication, and love you pour into your work every single day. Your commitment to educating, nurturing, and inspiring our children makes a lasting difference, not just in their lives, but in the lives of their families as well. The care you show, the extra time you give, and the way you lead with both heart and purpose do not go unnoticed. We are truly grateful to have you as part of the SJB family. Thank you for everything you do.

At SJB, even our youngest learners benefit from their active participation in family-style meal service. Like their older peers, they are developing their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, social-emotional skills, and learning the value of cooperation, one meal at a time. From serving themselves to sharing with friends, our little ones practice important life skills like name recognition and following directions while enjoying a shared meal. It’s the perfect way to nurture growth, responsibility, and community; starting with the youngest members of our family!

At SJB Cassell's Spring Day, children and parents came together for a fun-filled day of creativity and outdoor activities. The event featured arts and crafts stations where everyone could make unique creations whether it be through drawing masterpieces or constructing works of art. There were also interactive board games as well as instruments for playing beautiful music. The music and laughter in the air created a perfect harmony which added to the lively atmosphere and created a joyful environment for all. The children were free to explore their imaginations outside as they played together in a friendly soccer match and got their hands into moldable sand. With endless possibilities around every corner, they worked on fine motor skills, teamwork, and communication, all while learning in a fun and supportive environment. Spring Day was a true celebration of the boundless potential of every child, leaving everyone with smiles on their faces and a sense of fulfillment as they headed home.

SJB Child Development Centers is looking for a Finance Director to help our efforts in shaping bright futures for children and families. If you have a strong financial background and want to be part of an organization making a real difference, apply now by visiting our website or scanning the QR code!

We were honored to welcome Councilmember Domingo Candelas of San José’s District 8 to SJB Overfelt Child Development Centers. His visit provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase the impactful work we're doing to foster the growth and development of young children in our care. It also gave us the chance to connect with those who share our vision of making a lasting impact, showing them firsthand how we can collaborate to strengthen the community. At SJB, we remain committed to offering high-quality early care and education services that empower families and help build a brighter, stronger future for all. Thank you, Councilmember Candelas, for your ongoing support and dedication to our mission!

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank our incredible customers, partners, and team for an amazing year. Your continued support means the world to us, and we look forward to achieving even more together in the year ahead. Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with warmth, happiness, and time with loved ones. Happy Holidays & Best Wishes from all of us at SJB Child Development Centers!