Beth El Hebrew Congregation Preschool
Center in Alexandria, VA 22304
Beth El Hebrew Congregation, in collaboration with The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, is pleased to offer a Jewish preschool program with extended child care. The preschool is located onsite at Beth El.
We strive to help each child grow as an individual. We emphasize the development of self-confidence and a positive self-image. Our activities provide experiences to foster social skills and emotional maturity, as well as strengthen cognitive and physical growth.
- Child Ages:
- 2 years - 4 years
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- Virginia Department of Social Services
- Hours of Operation:
- 7:30am - 6:00pm
Monday - Friday
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Our teaching follows a Reggio Emelia inspired philosophy that is based on the following ideas:
- Children have a say over the direction of their learning.
- Children are able to learn through experiences of touching, moving, listening, seeing, and hearing.
- Children have a relationship with other children and material items to explore.
- Children have endless ways and opportunities for creative thinking and exploration
The philosophy involves an emergent curriculum that builds on the interests of the children. Topics of study are chose though discussions/observations of the children, community or family events, interest of children and teacher directed provocations. The curriculum provides hands on learning experiences, areas for children to experiment with the natural world and real life problem solving with opportunities for creative thinking and exploration.
Our teaching philosophy is designed with children’s needs in mind. There is enough flexibility in the curriculum that the teacher can adjust the daily activities to meet the needs and interests of each child. Sensory, motor, perceptual and language skills are introduces through materials and activities that are child centered and play based. Activities are planned to emphasize the process rather than the product, instilling a sense of personal accomplishment and pride.
An integral part of the program is building a foundation for a positive Jewish identity. This is accomplished by observing Jewish holidays through song, creative movement, cooking and crafts as well as reciting blessings in Hebrew. The program also uses curricula from the JCC Association including “This New Moon” and “An Ethical Start”, a program based on the teachings of Pirkei Avot.
