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Based on a forward-thinking and constantly evolving – yet deep-rooted educational philosophy – the JCC’s Early Childhood Learning Center focuses on welcoming children and their families into a quality educational experience based on Jewish values. Children are encouraged to develop and grow as individuals as well as members of the Jewish community. Programs are offered for children three and four-years old with low child-teacher ratios.
Housed at the Arthur I. Meyer Jewish Academy in West Palm Beach, its spaces and environments are purposely designed to provoke wonder, curiosity, intellectual engagement and creativity with endless possibilities. JCC preschool children are given critical opportunities at a young age to develop life skills, such as focus and self-control, communication and critical thinking. |
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• Children’s questions, hypothesis and interests, combined with
faculty’s knowledge of child development guides the curriculum.
• Children engage in Project Based Learning, which enables them to
integrate knowledge and skills in meaningful ways, and integrates
areas of the curriculum, such as math, literacy, science, social
studies and physical education in an engaging way.
• All developmental domains (cognitive, physical, social, emotional,
language and literacy) are highly integrated and are multi-dimensional.
• Relationships of trust and security are established, allowing children
to thrive. The center’s culture spirals around children and families’
emotional well being.
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• Families’ engagement is essential to building a healthy school
community. Therefore, we actively incorporate parents’
perspectives into how we think about teaching and learning.
• Families have opportunities to joyfully celebrate Jewish life with
their children.
• Communication about each child’s development is on-going,
relevant and supportive.
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| Children need to learn life skills. It’s no longer sufficient to equip children with just facts; what matters is how children use and apply them. Avot de Rabbi Natan 24 says, “What is learned in early childhood is absorbed in the blood.” The JCC’s Early Childhood Learning Center provides children with opportunities to develop life skills that will allow them to reach their fullest potential, and academic success. |
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• The environment suggests an intentional place for children’s
growth and development.
• Children and families approach the environment with questions.
• Attention is given to indoor and outdoor classrooms and common
spaces to create community, build connections and allow
opportunities for Jewish living.
• Children and families are represented and reflected in the
space, creating a sense of belonging.
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• Educators engage in meaningful learning experiences,
collaboration and mentoring with all members of the community.
• Is certified by the State of Florida in Early Childhood Education,
holds a minimum of bachelor’s degrees in education or related
fields and is certified in CPR and First Aid.
• For four consecutive years, members of the faculty have attended
the Project Zero Summer Institute at Harvard Graduate
School of Education.
• Two members of the faculty have been awarded the
Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education,
a national award that honors outstanding classroom-based
teachers in formal Jewish educational settings.
• Is fluent in the standards of excellence set by the Florida state
and accrediting agencies and has a passion to go beyond
these definitions.
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Our program is a powerful manifestation of well thought-out Jewish values. Therefore, everything that we do at school with the families, children and faculty is done through Jewish lenses. The following Jewish lenses inform the vision and shape the culture in which we raise and educate ourselves, the children and their families:
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