Our Early Childhood Program is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum while teaching and modeling Jewish values. Our focus is centered on encouraging pride in oneself as an individual and as an important member of the Jewish people.

Children learn best through play and experimentation. Our nursery school provides opportunities for these learning experiences within a warm, accepting, and nurturing environment. We recognize and respect each child’s unique qualities and strive to foster their growth and development in all aspects; cognitive, physical, social, and emotional. Through rich and welcoming surroundings, complemented with consistent routines and exploratory play opportunities, we inspire children to grow at their own pace, realizing there full potential.

Our staff of professional educators are selected for their talents, warmth, and understanding of young children. All of our teachers are required to enroll in workshops and conferences to remain up-to-date with current child development and teaching beliefs and practices. We are licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, and are active participants in the Board of Jewish Education, the Westchester Association for the Education of Young Children and the Early Childhood Educators of the Union for Reform Judaism. We are affiliated with a vibrant Reform Jewish community at Congregation Kol Ami. Our Early Childhood Program is run by Nan Blank, Director and Rabbi’s Shira Milgrom, Tom Weiner, along with Cantor Mo Glazman, add a depth and richness to our program.

Kol Ami’s Early Childhood Program offers a full complement of classes:

• First Friends: A toddler program for 15 - 22 month-olds and their parent or caregiver
  Tuesdays 9:45-11:00
  October through June
• Two's: 2,3 and 4 Day Two’s
  Tuesdays-Fridays 9:15-11:45
  September through June
• Three’s: 3 and 5 Day Three’s
  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00-11:45 and Wednesday 9:00-1:00
  September through June
• Four's: 5 Day four's mornings 9:00-11:45
  or 3 full and 2 half Day Four's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9:00-2:30 Thursday 9:00-11:45
  September through June
• Fours/Fives: A Step Ahead! For children turning five from September to December
  For more details read our brochure
  
  Extended day opportunities are offered through our Lunch Bunch Programs for Three's, and Four's four afternoons a week.
  
  For more information and to arrange for an appointment and tour of our school please feel free to call Nan Blank at (914) 949-4717 x 107.

Nothing takes the place of a personal visit.  You can see for yourself the warm sense of community that is the hallmark of the Early Childhood Program of Congregation Kol Ami. 

If you would like more information or want to apply to one of our programs, we welcome you to come and visit with us.  Call our Director, Nan Blank at 914-949-4717 x107, to schedule a mutually convenient time when you can come in and visit the Early Childhood Program at Kol Ami.  You will meet our staff and observe first hand the programs that will nuture your child and begin their journey into the world of school and community.  We look forward to welcoming you to the Early Childhood Program.

Our licensed nursery school is housed in a beautiful Synagogue with large bright and spacious classrooms, an indoor play space equipped with climbers, bicycles, balls, a balance beam, tunnel, and other assorted developmentally appropriate gross motor toys, and two large shaded gorgeous playgrounds well equipped for fun!

Enrichment experiences for the 2's, 3's, 4's, and Pre-K  include Music, Nature and Gym.  For the 3's, 4's, and Pre-K we add Israeli Dance, Havdalah, and Torah Alive!, and for the 4's, and Pre-K we add monthly experiences in our Community Garden where we plant, tend and harvest three times during the school year.

Every Friday morning, our school celebrates Shabbat as a whole community. Each week our 3’s, 4’s and Pre-K's bake challah for the rest of the school to enjoy for snack. Every Friday during our school year, one family from each class is designated as the Shabbat family. We gather together as one community with our Rabbis and Cantor in the Sanctuary to light the Sabbath candles and to sing the blessings over the candles, challah and juice. Our Shabbat families stand with their children on the bima to help us all welcome the coming of Shabbat. After our Group Sing, the children return to their own classes to continue their celebration. Our Shabbat families are welcome to stay and play all morning.

We offer a 6-week summer program perfect for children entering our two’s, (parent or caregiver and child), and children entering our three's program in September. This program provides a developmentally appropriate social and recreational experience for young children. We strive to provide a nurturing environment in which children can express themselves creatively, develop ideas, and learn about Jewish traditions. Children are encouraged to explore the natural world in an atmosphere that emphasizes fun, learning and growth. Our program includes enrichment activities, water play and sports which enhance our daily curriculum.

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