About Our Preschool Program

   Interested in enrolling? Contact the director with questions about current availability and mid-year enrollment.

Who we are        

   Founded in 2005, Agudas Achim Preschool is a warm, welcoming, and nurturing community. Our children's experiences are guided by Jewish values and traditions and a developmentally appropriate curriculum. We cultivate an active, reflective, and creative learning environment, supporting the total development of each child: spiritual, moral, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical.
   Every day our children spend lots of time outside on our Jerusalem inspired playground running, climbing, digging, and pretending. With swings and slides, tall trees and open grassy areas, it is the perfect balance between a traditional outdoor play space and a natural playground.
   Children also have opportunities throughout the week to continue their exploration of science, technology, engineering, art, and math in our STEAM Lab. Collaborating with each other, experimenting, and creating, our children learn problem solving skills that are essential in today's ever changing, technological world.*
   Families are often invited to participate in events or attend programs over the course of the year, including the Thanksgiving Community Feast, Purim Parade and Purimspiel, Storybook Day, and Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel's Independence Day). The preschool also holds at least two Shabbat services/dinners annually, which all families are invited to participate in.*
   With our four different program options, families can create a schedule that meets their needs.

Enrollment Plans

   In keeping with the policies of the local public schools, children must be two years old by September 30 in order to enroll.

Two-Year-Old Classes

• 2-Day Class: Tuesday, Thursday
• 3-Day Class: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
• 5-Day Class: Monday – Friday

Three-Year-Old Classes

• 4-Day Class: Tuesday – Friday
• 5-Day Class: Monday – Friday

Four-Year-Old Classes

• 5-Day Class: Monday – Friday

Gan Chaverim (core morning program)

   All children enrolled in the Agudas Achim Preschool participate in Gan Chaverim, or core morning program. Gan Chaverim, which translates as ‘Garden of Friends,’ operates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes a healthy snack (provided by the school*) and time for lunch (brought from home).
   While at school, children participate in circle time with their friends; enjoy singing, dancing, and hearing stories; have time to explore toys and games during free play; create arts and crafts; engage in social and dramatic play with their classmates; are exposed to the Hebrew language; take part in teacher guided projects or explorations; and have opportunities to play on our playground and/or in our social hall*, which is equipped with a variety of gross motor and open-ended toys.
   We also celebrate Shabbat (or Sabbath) every Friday. Challah (braided bread) and grape juice are served for snack, and before dismissal we gather with other classes or the whole school and the rabbi, hazzan, education director or preschool director. We sing songs and prayers, share stories and teachings, and welcome Shabbat as a community.*

Sha’at Mischak (optional afternoon program)

     All children enrolled in Agudas Achim Preschool’s Gan Chaverim program are eligible to participate in Sha’at Mischak, the optional afternoon program, which operates from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Sha’at Mischak translates as "play time."
   The program offers flexibility to enroll for one, two, three, four or five afternoons per week, provided that the child has attended Gan Chaverim on that day. To allow for unexpected changes in families’ schedules, enrollment in Sha’at Mischak is on a month-to-month basis. However, space is limited. You are guaranteed a spot only if you register before the start of the school year. After the start of the school year, registration is subject to availability.

Activities

 Children who stay for Sha’at Mischak participate in the following activities:

2-year-olds

• nap time for 2 – 2 ½ hours
• snack*

most 3-year-olds

• nap time for 1 ½ – 2 hours
• snack*
• free play

some 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds

• quiet time for 30 – 45 minutes
• free play
• snack*
• activities such as cooking, gardening, singing, creating arts and crafts, etc.

Boker Tov (early drop-off) and Erev Tov (late pick-up)

   To accommodate the schedules of working parents, Agudas Achim Preschool offers Boker Tov and Erev Tov (early drop-off and late pick-up). Boker Tov, or "Good Morning," is available from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday.
   Erev Tov, or "Good Evening," is offered from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. In order to give our families and staff time to prepare for Shabbat, there is no Erev Tov on Fridays. Our school day ends at 4 pm every Friday.*
   During Boker Tov and Erev Tov, children have free play in the social hall, on the playground or in one of the classrooms.
   These programs offer flexibility, but space is limited. You are guaranteed a spot only if you register before the start of the school year. After the start of the school year, registration is subject to availability.