Who We Are
***For the 2022-2023 school year, Gan Shalom is a majority outdoor curriculum! We have taken advantage of our city's moderate climate to structure outdoor activities that are enriching and safe for our children. In addition, we have required that all staff be vaccinated and masked at all times. Air purifiers are utilized indoors for times when inclement weather doesn't allow for outdoor play***
Gan Shalom Cooperative Preschool is a Jewish early childhood education program inspired by Reggio Emilia and supported by Hill Havurah for children aged 24 months through 4 years old.
Enrollment is open to both Jewish and non-Jewish students. At Gan Shalom we believe that children construct their own knowledge and develop the cognitive skills they will need throughout their lives through play and exploration. Our curriculum is designed to celebrate the competence of young children, to meet the individual needs, interests and developmental stages of each child, and to create an atmosphere in which children, teachers and parents are all active participants in the learning process. It is our desire to provide a warm, loving Jewish environment where each child feels secure and happy, and where learning is meaningful and fun.
Gan Shalom Cooperative Preschool believes that children’s first teachers are their parents, caregivers or guardians. Parents and caregivers have an active role in the Gan Shalom community. They often participate in classroom activities and have a leadership role in the governance of our preschool. We believe that teachers, parents, and the child have equal roles in their learning and value collaboration as the child grows during their time at Gan Shalom.
Day in the life
Each day children are greeted with inviting provocations using open-ended materials and options for continuing ongoing explorations. Every morning includes opportunities for free play to allow children to independently structure their learning and pursue ideas they would like to further investigate. Children are encouraged to strengthen self-care skills in each part of our daily routine, including serving snacks, getting dressed, and cleaning. Children are often seen helping and supporting each other in these self-care tasks, based on individual areas of growth to help each other fulfill their individual needs.
Anavim/Tutim
8:30 Classrooms and teachers ready to greet families and welcome children
9:00 Free Play
9:10 Circle Time
9:20 Invitation Available
10:15 Potty/Handwashing
10:30 Snack (outside whenever possible)
10:45 Walk/exploration/freeplay
11:50 Closing Circle/song/story
12:00 Pick-up
Rimonim
8:30 Classrooms and teachers ready to greet families and welcome children
9:00 Free Play
9:10 Circle time
9:20 Invitation Available
10:15 Potty/Handwashing
10:30 Snack (outside whenever possible)
10:45 Walk/exploration/freeplay
12:00 Handwashing/potty
12:15 Lunch
12:45 Closing circle/song/story
1:00 Pick-up
Through celebration of Shabbat (every Thursday/Friday) and Jewish holidays, we foster a Jewish identity while recognizing the diversity of our students and community.
Anavim/Tutim
8:30 Classrooms and teachers ready to greet families and welcome children
9:00 Free Play
9:10 Circle Time
9:20 Invitation Available
10:15 Potty/Handwashing
10:30 Snack (outside whenever possible)
10:45 Walk/exploration/freeplay
11:50 Closing Circle/song/story
12:00 Pick-up
Rimonim
8:30 Classrooms and teachers ready to greet families and welcome children
9:00 Free Play
9:10 Circle time
9:20 Invitation Available
10:15 Potty/Handwashing
10:30 Snack (outside whenever possible)
10:45 Walk/exploration/freeplay
12:00 Handwashing/potty
12:15 Lunch
12:45 Closing circle/song/story
1:00 Pick-up
Through celebration of Shabbat (every Thursday/Friday) and Jewish holidays, we foster a Jewish identity while recognizing the diversity of our students and community.
Questions about Gan Shalom? Contact president.ganshalom@HillHavurah.org
For more information about the Hill Havurah, please visit: www.HillHavurah.org
