Tot Shabbat Playgroup

This Friday morning playgroup is designed for parents and toddlers too young for enrollment in the school program. It is a social experience where our youngest children have the opportunity to interact with peers in a relaxed and play oriented setting. A Shabbat snack will be provided, followed by a school wide Shabbat sing with Cantor Finn.

2 year-old Class

Our 2 year old class is often a starting point for our youngest students. This class is where they experience their first separation from their parents. Easing that separation is of utmost importance, and is accomplished through a variety of engaging and hands on experiences that are developmentally suited for learners of this age. Creativity, understanding of their environment, social skills and respect for others are key components of our curricular goals and are woven into a daily fabric of music, art, dance/movement and age appropriate Jewish holidays and Hebrew. Enrollment options include 2, 3, 5 mornings or full days.

3 year-old Class

Our 3 year olds are immersed in a program that encourages conceptual development and hands on learning. Daily engagement with language and literacy, basic math concepts, science, cooking, art, music, dramatic play, Jewish holidays and Hebrew  enhance opportunities to achieve curricular goals that include the ability to move from parallel play to establishment of friendships with peers and teachers. Recognizing the needs of the individual child supports their ongoing understanding of the environment, development of social skills and respect for themselves and others. Children should be potty trained by the time they enter this program.  Enrollment options include 2, 3, 5 mornings or full days.

4 year-old Class

In our pre-kindergarten class, students are 4 years of age by September 1 and they attend 5 mornings a week to help them prepare for a full day of kindergarten. A more structured morning reflects longer attention spans and provides a nurturing, supportive environment that cultivates the growth of the child both academically and affectively. Developmentally appropriate curriculum includes the discovery and exploration of all content areas, support of ongoing development of motor skills, integrated with Jewish holidays and Hebrew vocabulary.

5 year-old Class

Our kindergarten program runs from 9:00A.M. - 2:00P.M. 5 days a week. Children enrolled in this program should be 5 years of age by September 1. Long term, developmentally appropriate objectives for these young learners include focus on the development of the whole child in a nurturing learning environment that allows children to lead and engage in rich and meaningful experiences. Curriculum is integrated with study in all content areas, with enrichment in art, music, drama and movement to promote creative expression. Monthly field trips enhance areas of study. Judaic studies include recognition and participation in holidays and traditions in addition to age appropriate Hebrew in the classroom. Above all, we support the child in the development of the habit of success.

P.M. Preschool Program

Our afternoon program was developed with our older 3’s, 4’s and 5's in mind. 

Literacy and Creative Dramatics:  Ania Jordan, Teacher

How do children learn to understand language and literacy? Through exploration of written and spoken language in stories and poetry, we will create an environment designed to enhance the way children understand language, through reading, writing, predicting and dramatic play.

Young Scientists:  Mary Madrid, Teacher

Your children will experience hands-on, child friendly Science and Science vocabulary in both daily and long term projects.  This child led classroom will examine their world with the eyes of a scientist!

Movin’ and Groovin’: Mary Madrid, Teacher

With the objective of developing fine and gross motor skills, your children will jump, gallop, hop and skip to music, using materials including rhythm sticks, beanbags, ribbons and scarves. They will learn to keep the beat, and sing and dance to songs that will help them to learn letters and numbers in a fun, new way.

Kreative Kids:  Ania Jordan, Teacher

Through individual and group projects, your children will explore the diversity of the world of art using a variety of materials to “grow” confidence in the way they express themselves creatively.

Petite Potpourri:  Margit Noel, Teacher

How about an afternoon of yoga, French and ukulele music?  Your children will delight in an afternoon of activities designed to stimulate their bodies and their minds.

Extended Care Program

In addition to our school classes which run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 each day, we offer extended care options from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.   Arrangements can be made to accommodate the needs of your family.

Every Friday, the Early Childhood Center celebrates Shabbat as an entire school.  Children participate in the lighting of the Sabbath candles and the blessings over wine (grape juice) and challah (braided bread).  Cantor Barbara R. Finn and teachers then lead singing and story-telling. Parents are welcome to join us each Friday morning at 9:30 for this fun celebration.

Fall registration for the Early Childhood Center is now open! Contact Kathy Blythe or ECC Coordinator, Dale Cooperman at 883-0306 for more information.

Come Learn, Play and Grow with us!