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The Classes

The Robert J. Wilf Preschool & Kindergarten is a great place to grow! Your child can expand his or her world, learn, and most importantly, have fun in a safe environment. Our program also introduces children to the customs and traditions of Jewish life, Shabbat and Jewish holidays through the integration of songs, art, stories, food and special guests.


Infants

Come and enjoy our wonderful world in the Nursery.  The staff focuses on helping infants meet all the milestones necessary for healthy growth and wellness.  Teachers design experiences that are safe, nurturing and stimulating to help children explore and make discoveries.  Children in the Nursery participate in weekly music class, J-Play for gross motor development and join the rest of the school on Fridays for Shabbat.  They also begin learning baby sign language; enjoy walks in strollers outside every day (weather permitting), benefit from tummy time, music and story time.


Toddlers

The Toddler classroom environment encourages exploration.  Teachers design experiences that are safe, nurturing and stimulating to help children explore and make discoveries. The staff uses open ended activities and materials that promote inquiry and investigation.  The children in these classes are just beginning to communicate their needs on their own.  The staff creates an environment rich in language and play using movement, blocks, music, books, nature, water, art and dramatic play materials to enhance children’s growth and development. Children in the Toddler class enjoy music and story time, walks outside every day and outdoor play time in the private Toddler Playground (weather permitting) where they can safely use equipment and develop strong gross motor skills.  They also participate in weekly music class, J-Play for gross motor development and join the rest of the school on Fridays for Shabbat.


2 & 3 year-olds

Our pre-school program will help your child begin to develop his/her emotional, physical, and intellectual skills, while teaching important social skills. We also focus on developing large and small motor skills for mobility development and coordination. Our teachers provide nurturing supervision and positive guidance through consistency, encouragement and support. Teachers use an emergent curriculum which permits learning activities that arise from each child’s interests, encouraging feelings of security and confidence in an age-appropriate atmosphere where each child feels free to explore, play, observe, question and make discoveries. Learning activities and children’s experiences also align with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. This class goes outside everyday (weather permitting), enjoy lots of stories and songs during circle time, participates in weekly Music Class, Creative Movement, Hebrew, Gym Class, J-Play (for 2’s), and Creative Movement classes, Jewish history and join the rest of the school on Fridays for Shabbat.


4 year-olds

Our program provides a fun and stimulating learning environment that prepares the children for kindergarten. Our teachers encourage social skill development with imagination and creativity. Through interactive play, fun activities and a wide range of interest areas your child will develop the skills necessary for kindergarten and beyond. Field trips and classroom visitors are also part of the curriculum. Teachers use an emergent curriculum which permits learning activities that arise from each child’s interests, encouraging feelings of security and confidence in an age-appropriate atmosphere where each child feels free to explore, play, observe, question and make discoveries.  Learning activities and children’s experiences also align with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. This class goes outside everyday (weather permitting), enjoy lots of stories and songs during circle time, participates in weekly Music Class, Gym Class, Jewish History, Hebrew, Creative Movement, and join the rest of the school on Fridays for Shabbat.


Kindergarten (1 & 2)

The Kindergarten 1 and Kindergarten 2 curriculum include language arts, beginning reading skills, mathematics, science, social studies, and arts & crafts. Our teachers emphasize academic and social skills necessary for children to succeed in the grades ahead. A variety of teaching strategies are utilized – individual, small, and large groups. All are designed to fit the needs of the children so they can experience success. Teachers use an emergent curriculum which permits learning activities that arise from each child’s interests, encouraging feelings of security and confidence in an age-appropriate atmosphere where each child feels free to explore, play, observe, question and make discoveries. Learning activities and children’s experiences also align with the Pennsylvania Kindergarten Standards. This class goes outside everyday (weather permitting), enjoy lots of stories and songs during circle time, participates in weekly Music Class, Hebrew, Gym Class and Creative Movement, and join the rest of the school on Fridays for Shabbat. Children learn about Jewish customs, traditions, holidays, and they develop a connection to the Land of Israel and its people. Tzedakah and Mitzvot, charity and kindness are two major concepts that guide our Jewish learning. Field trips and classroom visitors are also part of the curriculum.

“K1 vs. K2, what’s the difference”?

Kindergarten 1 is typically for children who turn 5 in the fall and miss the September 1st cut off for our local school district Kindergarten.  However, children with late summer birthdays may also attend K1 as a deciding year with regard to readiness for 1st grade. Kindergarten 2 is for children who are 5 years old by September 1st.  Children who attend K2 go on to 1st grade the following school year. Both classes are full day and licensed Kindergarten classes. They share the same curriculum goals.

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