Sunday, August 27, 11:00 am
Family Picnic at Arlington Park. All new and returning Nursery School families and
teachers are welcome

Tuesaday, September 5
First day of school!

Friday, September 15
5:30/6:15pm dinner/service
Tot Shabbat
The Tot Shabbat service is an interactive, musical
and fun dinner and service for children 5 and under.
RSVP to Barbara Kanteror call 510- 848-3988 Ext. 219

nursery school

Director: Barbara Kanter 510-848-9428
Chair: Stephany Joffe

WELCOME
At Beth El Nursery School we provide an atmosphere where children, through the medium of play, art, music, drama, movement and conversation, can develop as independent, loving people. As a Jewish nursery school we emphasize the richness and joy of Judaism within a diverse and multicultural world. Please contact our Nursery School Director, Barbara Kanter at (510) 848-9428 or email barbara@bethelberkeley.org for more information.

PHILOSOPHY
We are a Jewish developmental, play-based program focusing on the social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs of each child. In both our philosophy and our daily practice, we respect each child as an individual. We seek to provide a warm, safe environment and encourage each child to actively participate, explore and discover.Our faculty of highly skilled early childhood educators brings a special kind of enthusiasm and devotion to the task of playing and learning with children.

Beth El Nursery School hopes to become your partner in nurturing and teaching your young child.During the morning, the children participate in a variety of individual, small group and whole group activities both inside and outside the classrooms. The classrooms and outdoor yard are set up with ageappropriate interest areas and activities that include art, cooking, literacy,dramatic play, block play, active play, tactile experiences, science and puzzles. Our play-based developmental curriculum actively engages thechildren and promotes development in all areas.Jewish curriculum is an integral part of our program. Every Friday after lunch, we celebrate Shabbat in each classroom or as a school community. Throughout the year, much of our curriculum revolves around the Jewish calendar. The children experience the holidays through stories, rituals, music, art and food. We celebrate all holidays with the goal of building a rich sense of Jewish identity and community.

Beth El Nursery School also seeks to foster a strong sense of community, and we welcome your family as a valued member of this community. Throughout the year, the school, synagogue and parents organize many events. We encourage you to participate in as many activities and events as you can.

The purpose of Beth El Nursery School is to foster the growth of a well-rounded child. We provide an environment where children, through the medium of play, in art, music, drama, movement and conversation, and with rich experiences and materials for exploration, can develop as independent, responsible, thinking, loving human beings. Our unique contribution is to create an atmosphere in which children can experience themselves as Jews and discover the richness and joy of a Jewish heritage.

The Beth El Nursery School staff respects each child's individuality and provides a warm, safe environment in which children can fully express who they are. In addition, we support and assist parents by creating a community that will enhance and foster the well-being of their families.

Enrollment priority is given to synagogue members.

DAILY SCHEDULE
The Beth El Nursery School serves more than 60 children in 3 classrooms, ages 2 - 5 years, in a morning preschool program from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m., with full extended day options available from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested parents will fill out the enclosed application form and return it with a $25 application fee for non-members only, payable to Beth El Nursery School. This will place you in our waitpool. In January, all applicant families will be contacted to attend an informational meeting and to schedule a tour to observe the Nursery School and meet with the Director. Observations will take place in February.

ADMISSION PRIORITIES
Admission priority is given to members, according to our enrollment priority policy. Please see the Beth El Nursery School Enrollment Policy.

CLASS REQUIREMENTS
The Nursery School program consists of three classes, grouped according to age. Children must be the minimum age for each class during the month of September. Each class has three teachers. The adult to child ratio ranges from 1:5 to 1:8 depending on the class.
Gan Katan: 2 years
Alef: 3 years
Bet: 4 years