Early Childhood Program - Nursery & Junior Kindergarten

NURSERY: Beginning at age 3 (by September 1)
- Five-day program; 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN: Beginning at age 4 (by September 1)
- Five-day program; 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- Extended-day option; 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Fridays until 2:50 p.m.)

Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School’s Early Childhood program is a developmentally appropriate play-based program that focuses on the language, cognitive, social/emotional, physical and spiritual development of children in a nurturing environment. Our program addresses all academic areas, from early literacy and math readiness to the examination and investigation of materials, objects and ideas. Our dedicated educators partner with Jewish families to raise children to be their best selves and good citizens of the community.

Core Value: Curiosity
An interest in ideas and an enthusiasm for discovery and learning. A sense of wonder.

Our program provides children an opportunity to explore the world around them, developing a sense of wonder. For example, junior kindergarten students create science journals by observing items with magnifying glasses, and then drawing the items in their journals and dictating their observations.

Core Value: Creativity
A desire to explore alternative materials, ideas and solutions. Using your imagination.

Exposing children to materials and opportunities for expression is fundamental to their development. Incorporating this approach into our program, we are establishing ateliers (workshops) in each classroom so kids can explore materials and be creative.

Core Value: Character
A way of being based on respect, ethics, integrity and justice. Nurturing the goodness in children.

In our program, students come together to discuss actions—like sharing and working together—that help build community.Teachers validate positive social behaviors and help children use words to work through conflict with others.

Core Value: Citizenship
Service to the common good. Helping our community.

Every Shabbat throughout the year, we collect tzedakah, explaining to our students that this money will be used to help children in our community have access to books, materials and activities for learning.

Core Value: Responsibility
An understanding that our actions impact those around us.

In teaching our students to be part of a community, we share different ways to recycle. Then they practice recycling each day after they eat snacks or lunch,
or after working on art projects.

Core Value: Empathy
Caring about others.

Junior kindergarten students read, “Fill A Bucket,” an award-winning book about the joys of positive behaviors toward others. Our teachers use this text throughout the year to talk about language and actions that help to
“fill others’ buckets.”

Parents as Partners

We invite a close relationship between parents and teachers to facilitate the transition from home to school and to maximize learning opportunities. Parents are vital partners, visiting classes as "mystery guests" or journal helpers, participating in holiday celebrations, and volunteering at school events. Families' active participation strengthens our community and enhances their children's school experience.