Nursery School

"With each child, the world begins anew." (Midrash)

Greenburgh Hebrew Center Nursery School

A private, non-profit preschool for children from 2 to 5 years of age

515 Broadway • Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 • Tel. 914-479-1421

Jackie Binstock , Director
M.A., Early Childhood Education

This page gives you a brief overview of our school. You are welcome to visit us and observe our children and staff enjoying their school day. The GHC Nursery School offers a combined secular and Judaic pre-school curriculum in a warm, emotionally supportive, creative and fun atmosphere. We are committed to a high-quality learning environment and follow the standards of the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).

School Philosophy

Our purpose is to create an environment for two, three and four-year olds where self-con€dence and self-expression are encouraged and supported. In the process, our children also learn responsibility, respect for others, and decision making skills.

All of our activities are age- appropriate and appeal to a variety of learning styles and personalities. Our teachers understand the differences in the development of the young child, and therefore all activities in the classroom are hands on and relevant to each child. Projects are open-ended and focus on the process rather than the product. Consequently, children of all abilities can succeed and self-esteem grows.

In each age group, learning is implemented through a hands-on, play oriented approach. The general goal of our program is to develop strong social, €ne motor, gross motor and communication skills.

The Judaic component is an essential element of our children’s educational experience at GHC. We feel that through the introduction of an age-appropriate Judaic curriculum in the pre-school years, our children will acquire a lifelong love and devotion to Judaism and the Jewish people. We strongly believe in teaching and practicing Jewish values. Our children are exposed to and participate in Jewish rituals, cultural practices, and holiday celebrations through song, story and art.

Curriculum

Greenburgh Hebrew Center Nursery School follows a pre-school curriculum with experiences in:

Emergent literacy through story time and literature related activities
Pre-math skills
Science and nature exploration
Arts and crafts
Creative movement
Cooking and baking
Shabbat and Jewish holiday celebrations
Dramatic play
Music
Tzedakah projects
Outdoor and indoor play
Local €eld trips
Guest visitors

A typical day for our children includes time for individual and group experiences. Each day allows for the young child’s need for high, moderate and low-level activities.

Goals

Our teachers have speci€c goals for their classes, and during the school year, work to implement and achieve these goals. At each age level the teachers structure the curriculum to foster the development of important basic skills.

In the two-year old class, the emphasis is on helping and encouraging children to achieve separation from their parent or caregiver. It is also very important at this age for children to learn to transition between activities without upset. During this year growing communication skills are encouraged, and this growth allows children to begin to change their play patterns from parallel to cooperative play.

In the three-year old class, language further develops as children are encouraged to talk about their creations in the block corner, describe their art projects, participate in €nger plays, and listen at story time with increased understanding. Children learn about math through play and the activities of the classroom. The re€nement of €ne motor skills is an additional goal of the threes. As the three-year-old sense of self becomes stronger, the children become more socially aware and friendships take on new importance.

A major goal in the four-year old class is kindergarten readiness. One of the ways we accomplish this goal is by enhancing the pre-reading skills of the children. An experience chart is used on a daily basis familiarizing children with a group of sight words and the concept that letters make words and words make sentences. Children practice writing their names, and dictate and create class books throughout the year. Math skills are taught through sorting, counting, patterning, number recognition, and comparison through voting and measurement. Equally important in the fours is the growth of emotional development. This is accomplished by providing an environment where children learn to care about one another, embrace diversity, feel part of a larger social group, and embrace friendships.

Our Staff

Our teachers are highly qualified, dedicated and nurturing early childhood professionals. They possess a variety of interests and talents, which they enthusiastically share with the children. Our teachers have many years of teaching experience at GHC.

A head teacher and either one or two assistant teachers staff each class. The director and head teachers have earned advanced degrees or degrees in related fields.All of our assistant teachers are college graduates. Our staff continues to update their skills through courses and workshops sponsored by the WAEYC (Westchester Association for the Education of Young Children) and the BJE (Board of Jewish Education) as well as other entities. Our staff can then bring the newest and most creative ideas in early childhood education to their classrooms. The GHC Nursery School is a member of the WAEYC and the BJE.

In addition to our classroom teachers, we are fortunate to have regular visits from talented and creative specialists in the fields of music, movement, and nature education. Our Rabbi and Cantor participate in the life of the school by teaching the children about Jewish holidays and traditions.

Registration

Applications are accepted when registration opens. A non-refundable registration fee must accompany your application and forms. Preference is given to returning students, then to synagogue members, siblings of students/past students, and to the general community.

Extended Hours

The school staff offers a “Lunch Bunch” program for threes and fours. Lunch Bunch meets until 2:00 pm. The program includes lunchtime with friends, creative activities, science experiments, music, and free play, both indoors and out.

Other Activities at GHC

Depending on interest, the school may offer a Mommy and Me Toddler class for one-year olds, designed to provide toddlers with a “taste” of preschool. Children in the Mommy and Me program may attend with either a parent or a caregiver. Consistent with our philosophy of Jewish education, all children and parents are invited to Tot Shabbat at GHC. Tot Shabbat is held on Saturday morning once each month during the school year. All GHC Nursery School families are welcome and encouraged to participate in all activities and events at the Greenburgh Hebrew Center.