The OJC Nursery School
Curriculum
The goal of our curriculum is to foster academic, social, cognitive and motor skills, while building self-esteem and encouraging self-reliance in a nurturing environment.
Our educators place very high importance on understanding and caring about each individual student and building a partnership with their families. Parent communication and a team approach is very important to the success of every child's education. It is essential to build a structured classroom community, which means every child should develop a positive self-image, and learn to perceive themself as a competent person. Each child should be encouraged to be curious and ask questions. Our teaching staff listens and shows respect for each child's inquisitiveness. Every student will be taught appropriate academic skills and they will learn to be responsible, as well as, responsive.
The curriculum has a balance of active and quiet play to develop socialization, academic learning, fine and gross motor skills, imagination and creativity. The activities take into consideration individual interests, differences in attention span, as well as, the variations in physical and intellectual maturity. There is sufficient time for activities and routines so that each child can manage them and progress at their own rate.
Using a "hands-on" developmentally appropriate approach, the curriculum explores language, math, science, the world around us, art, music, and dramatic play. An important component of our curriculum is of course, Judaism-Hebrew, prayer, Bible stories, Shabbat, holidays, traditions, and the concept of "tikkun olam"- healing the world through kindness and tzedekah.
The goal of the curriculum is that each child will not only acquire knowledge, learn skills, and expand their understanding, but also gain self respect, improve their thinking abilities, develop good friendships and attain a "can-do" spirit! The focus is not on toys and projects but on each individual child. As educators, we must "plant the roots" for our students and help them "grow" into wonderful Jewish individuals".
Shabbat
Every Friday, our students get to experience the beauty of celebrating Shabbat. We light the candles, say the brachot, share challah and wine, hear Jewish stories, sing Hebrew songs, and gather together to Israeli dance.
At the Orangetown Jewish Center, on the first Friday night of the month, there is a Family Service geared to families with young children. Every Saturday morning at 10:30am, there is a special Tot Shabbat service for our Nursery School children. At this creative Shabbat experience, we worship, sing, play games and rejoice together. Tot Shabbat is always joyous and fun.
We hope you will join us!
Attending Shabbat services is a great way to meet other young families, to learn more about Judaism, and to develop a relationship with our Rabbis, professional staff, lay leaders, and our synagogue membership.
Parent Involvement
The Orangetown Jewish Center Nursery School believes strongly that teachers and parents are making a commitment to raise your Jewish child together as a TEAM. Parents are our partners, so participation in our school is always welcomed and encouraged. We emphasize close contact with our parents and give personal and professional attention to each family.
Our Pre-school Council is open to all Nursery School parents to share their expertise, ideas, and input. There are many volunteer opportunities to support and enrich your child's school. Our Nursery School believes that not only will your child flourish and become a successful lifelong learner but, that our parents will become happy committed members of the Orangetown Jewish Center Nursery School and our synagogue community.
