Education
Gan B'nai
Shalom Preschool
Rabbi Jennifer Flam, Director
Gan B’nai Shalom provides a high quality early childhood program. Our goal is to make learning exciting through a hands-on-approach. We strive to encourage our children to be creative and independent thinkers, as they increase their self-confidence, enhance their independence, and develop a sense of responsibility all within a Jewish framework.
Inspired by Jewish values, our program provides opportunities for children’s exploration and self-expression. We nurture the social, emotional, spiritual and cognitive development of each child by providing a creative, warm, respectful, and enriching Jewish environment. Our program is designed to facilitate self-esteem and respectful social relationships as it encourages language development, creativity, gross and fine motor skills.
Judaism is integrated into our daily activities through art, science, manipulatives, stories, songs, and imaginative play. Whether we are learning about a holiday, exploring our environment, or playing with our friends, Judaism is a living experience for all those who are part of our community.
Each individual grows and develops at his/her own rate. The teachers at Gan B’nai Shalom respect each child’s needs and provide experiences to enhance each individual.
Download
the Gan B'nai Shalom Preschool 2010-11
Application for Admission
Curriculum
The curriculum at Gan B’nai Shalom matches the developmental needs of the children. The children explore their environment through play and activities that encourage them to discover, observe, and question the world around them. Focusing on a theme-based curriculum, our program offers creative art projects, science exploration, critical thinking activities, and dramatic play. Language art skills and gross and fine motor development are stimulated through a variety of interactive experiences. Throughout the day, there are opportunities for both quiet and active play, in a balance of child and staff initiated exploration. Every day we use our outdoor environment which includes a play structure, a sand area, a bike riding area, and a children’s garden.
Class Size
We maintain a low child/teacher ratio to insure that each child’s needs are met. Our two year old class does not exceed ten children and our older classes do not exceed fifteen children.
Staff
Our staff at Gan B’nai Shalom are warm, dedicated, and creative educators, who are carefully selected for their Early Childhood Education backgrounds, teaching experience and sensitivity to the needs of young children and their families.
Communication and Parent Involvement
Parents are regularly informed of classroom and school activities through class calendars, monthly newsletters, e-mail, and daily contact with the teachers. We encourage parent involvement and provide many opportunities for participation through activities such as parent orientation, “Meet My Teacher Day”, Friday Shabbat, family holiday events, parent/teacher conferences, parent education workshops, and purely social events. Parents with special talents, interests, or vocations are encouraged to share their experiences with the children.
Preschool Hours
Gan B’nai Shalom runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. with two, three, four and five day options. Children who are two years of age by September 1st may attend our program.
Extended Day Hours
Our preschool offers extended day care 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Enrichment programs
At various times of the year, we offer after-school enrichment programs, beginning at 1pm. These programs may include such subjects as conversational Spanish, conversational Hebrew, Music or Movement class.
Application Process
Gan B'nai Shalom is open to the community, with a priority given to Congregation B'nai Shalom members. Please contact our preschool coordinator at (925) 934-9446 to set up an appointment to visit our program. Please download 2010-11 application.
Program Options
For the 2010-2011 school year Gan B’nai Shalom will operate two classes:
Parparim Class—Butterflies
Our Parparim class is open to children who are two years old by September 1st.
This program provides a warm, loving, and nurturing environment for our youngest children, as they expand their social, emotional, and intellectual horizons through developmentally appropriate play.
Children in the Parparim class may attend school two, three, four or all five days a week.
Tsfardeim Class – Frogs
Daily age-appropriate activities focus on the physical, emotional, social and cognitive needs of each child in our stimulating, creative, nurturing, Jewish environment.
Children in this class work independently as well as collaboratively. The curriculum provides an appropriate balance of children’s choice and teacher initiated activities.
Children who are 3 years old by September 1 and enrolled in our Tsfardeim class may attend three, four or five days a week. Children who are at least 4 years old by September 1 attend five days a week.
Judaism is fully integrated into our preschool curriculum.
All Gan B'nai Shalom children have weekly Shabbat and joyous holiday celebrations.
Jim Joseph Early Childhood Jewish Education Emergency Grant
We believe that every Jewish child should have the opportunity to participate in a high quality, Jewish learning environment, yet our recent economy has made it difficult for some families to send their children to preschool. The Jim Joseph Foundation recently responded to the challenging economic climate and established a Jewish Education Emergency Grant for all three Jewish Bay Area regions. Thanks to the Jim Joseph Foundation, Gan B’nai Shalom is a proud recipient of a 2010-2011 Jim Joseph Early Childhood Jewish Education Emergency Grant. A big thank you goes out to the Jim Joseph Foundation for so generously providing scholarship funding and enabling more students to attend school this fall.
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