OFFICE INFORMATION

Nursery School: (781) 235-8419
Fax Number: (781) 431-1638
Director: Nancy Ostroff, nostroff@tbewellesley.org, x230
Amy Kaufman, Administrative Assistant, akaufman@tbewellesley.org x231

SCHOOL HOURS
EARLY MORNING DROP-OFF (drop-in basis, not available to the toddler class)
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
School begins at 9:00

REGULAR MORNING HOURS
9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

LUNCH BUNCH (separate registration)
12:00 p.m. -12:45 p.m.
Monday through Friday

STAY DAY (separate registration)
12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Monday through Thursday (not available to the toddler class)

Gan Elohim Nursery School is under the auspices of the Department of Early Education and Care which is the licensing agency for the State of Massachusetts. Located at 10 Austin Street, Worcester, MA, phone: (508) 798-5180.

 

ADMINISTRATION


The Nursery School is an important part of Temple Beth Elohim’s commitment to lifelong learning and is run by the Director, under the guidance of the Temple’s Executive Director, Jewish Living. Support for the Director comes from the Nursery School Committee. The Committee assists the Director in the school’s daily operations, as well as manages the school’s social events, fundraising and social action programs and support of a caring community. The Director is responsible for the curriculum of the Nursery School, personnel, licensing, enrollment, management of the classrooms and overall program planning for the school year.





ENROLLMENT

Enrollment at Gan Elohim is open to children from 2 years old to 5 years old. We admit children of all faiths and ethnic groups. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, cultural heritage, political beliefs, martial status, or national origin.

Parents can apply for enrollment of their child in Gan Elohim by completing the Enrollment Application and paying the $75 Registration Fee. The Registration Fee is non-refundable. Initial enrollment is contingent upon receipt of the completed enrollment application, signed enrollment contract, and registration fee.



DAILY SCHEDULE


Early drop-off is available Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. on a drop-in basis at $8 per morning. It will be held in one of the nursery school classroom and staffed by Gan Elohim educators. The regular school day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12:00 p.m. The schedule for the classroom is planned to include a variety of materials, experiences and opportunities to learn. The day is structured to allow for individually chosen and group activities. 

A typical day is as follows:


9:00 a.m.
 Arrival

9:10-9:20 a.m. 
Brief meeting to introduce special activities for the day such as art, cooking, science and discovery

9:20-10:20 a.m. 
Choice of special activities and/or play and block corner, housekeeping,water and sand tables, painting at easels and small motor activities such as legos and puzzles

10:20-10:40 a.m. 
Cleanup and snack

10:40-11:10 a.m. Group Time for discussions, music, drama, movement and storytime

11:15-11:55 a.m. Outdoor play on the playground except in extreme weather when the children will have activities in the social hall or large motor play in the classroom.

12:00 
Dismissal

Lunch Bunch is offered Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Stay day is offered Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

CURRICULUM


Curriculum at Gan Elohim is carefully planned. The rooms are set up to encourage independence and creativity. The children are encouraged to move freely throughout the room and may use any of the materials that are available. We teach our curriculum in themes or units. We immerse the children into each theme we are studying. For example, when we are involved in the fall unit, nature from the outside is brought in for study and exploration. Snack is a time to sample the fruits and vegetables of the season and for baking. Science and Math concepts are explored with projects such as planting and counting of seeds, studying the different leaves and the reasons they change color, and exploring the nature of seasons and cycles. Judaica is integrated into the unit with the celebration of Sukkot and the fall chagim (holidays). Children build Sukkot (dwellings), learn about Jewish values like hospitality and connect the fall fruits and products to Jewish living. Literacy is promoted by the reading of seasonal stories. Even the housekeeping and block areas are transformed as fall items are introduced into the play. Themes are the tools that help children access the materials and challenge their thinking. Everyday, regardless of the theme, there is a range of activities promoting social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. There may be theme oriented additions to the materials provided but each day the activities continue to promote children’s inquiry and discovery in an active, safe, and fun way.

JEWISH CURRICULUM

The love, joy, excitement and significance of living Jewishly as well as understanding and celebrating Shabbat and the Jewish Holidays is an important part of our school's curriculum. The core basis values system of the Jewish tradition Klal Yisrael Aravim Ze B’zeh (all Israel is responsible for one another) and Derek Eretz (respect and good manners) are part of our daily classroom activities. Taking care of our environment by recycling and collecting litter are examples of the Mitzvot (good deeds) and values that the children learn by actively doing.

Shabbat is a special time. Every Friday, the classes set apart the activities they were engaged in during the week in order to focus on activities, stories, and songs specifically for Shabbat. Each week, all three classes gather together in the Sanctuary to sing Shabbat songs with our Cantor Jodi Sufrin. In each class, the children learn to say the blessings over the candles, "wine" and challah. After winter vacation, one child a week in each class is the Shabbat child and assists their class in leading the blessings and celebrating Shabbat. Parents, and family members are invited to school to share this wonderful Shabbat experience on the morning their child is the Shabbat Child.

Jewish holidays are celebrated with songs, stories, cooking and art projects. Special attention is given to linking holiday curriculum throughout the year to making the Jewish curriculum easily understood and relevant to the life of a preschool child. Examples of this are a birthday party for the world at Rosh Hashanah, decorating the Temple’s Sukkah for Sukkot, and planting trees for Tu B’Shevat.

All nursery school families are welcome at any of the Temple events. Throughout the year, the Temple invites families to celebrate the holidays as a community. Family Education programs through the school offer an adult learning component linked to the children’s study. Finally, Mitzvah Day is another opportunity for everyone to make a difference in our community. Families come together to help others and spruce up our Temple. Please get involved!



TUITION, 2012-2013 - The Gan Elohim Nursery School is a non‑profit agency and therefore relies on its tuition for its operating expenses.  Tuition for the 2012-2013 Nursery School year is: 

5 Day Program 

• $6350 per year for Temple Members
• $7590 per year for non-Temple Members 

 

3 Day Toddler Program 

• $5355 per year for Temple Members
• $6615 per year for non-Temple Members 

 

2 Day Toddler Program 

• $4250 per year for Temple Members
• $5250 per year for non-Temple Members

 

There is a non-refundable application fee of $75.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required by December to hold the child’s space. Tuition is payable in three installments due on April 15, July 15 and October 15.

If two children from the same family are enrolled during the same year, the second child’s tuition is reduced by 10%. The reduction only applied to Nursery School tuition, not the extended day program or summer program. 

All tuition payments and any financial concerns should be addressed to James Waldman, Temple Beth Elohim’s Controller. Tuition is non-refundable unless the child’s space is filled.