Camp: 

Seven week camp provides a summer filled with enthusiastic, age-appropriate fun and discovery in a relaxed nurturing environment. Sprinklers, water play, weekly themes, Shabbat celebrations plus visits to our new, state-of-the-art S.T.E.A.M. Room.

Enrollment: 35

Camper-counselor ratio: Staffed by nursery school teachers; 3:1 or 4:1 depending on age group.

Calendar: June 24-Aug 9

Hours: Mommy & Me, Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 a.m.; 2s (two-, three- and five-day options), 9-11:45 a.m.; 3s/4s/5s (three- and five-day options), 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Extended day hours available.

 New Extended Hours from 7:30am to 6:30pm! 

Welcome to Temple Israel Center Nursery School!

We are a fully egalitarian Conservative congregation that is dedicated to providing a warm and nurturing environment where children can achieve their full potential.  We are a progressive Jewish school committed to excellence in early childhood education. We believe in active, hands-on learning and our bright classrooms include a wide variety of authentic, developmentally appropriate materials.  Our educators, many of whom have been devoted to Temple Israel Center for decades, understand the needs and abilities of children at different ages and stages. They offer expressive materials and activities that encourage personal choice and discovery rather than a rote response to teacher directions. Our professionals have been strongly inspired by the philosophy and characteristics of the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy and continue to study the Reggio Emilia approach which includes:

*A deep respect for the potential of all young children.
*Communication and collaboration among children, teachers and families.
*The environment as the third teacher, meaning rich environments that are engaging, welcoming, organized and supportive of the work of children.
*Documentation to give words to what the children may not be able to express, to deepen teachers understanding of how the children learn and to make the learning visible (with photos, reflections and journey binders).
*Children and educators constructing knowledge together through exploration and problem solving.
*Emergent curriculum and small group work based on the negotiation between children's and teachers' interests.
*The use of many expressive "languages" to represent ideas, interests, questions, and learning, such as paint, clay, drama, music, play and more.
 

As a synagogue school, our children’s Jewish identity is central to our program. Each week, we celebrate Shabbat with blessings over the candles, wine, and hallah (which we then eat!); we sing songs, tell stories, and invite parents to join the class. Jewish holidays also take center stage and are celebrated and explored with enthusiasm. There are monthly mitzvah projects where our children learn that they can help others and make the world a better place.  

 New Extended Hours from 7:30am to 6:30pm! 

Registration for the 2019-20 School year now open at https://templeisraelcenter.wufoo.com/forms/z5qiazs19459xx/.  Call today to set up a tour. 

Over the past 7 years, as Director of Temple Israel Center Nursery School, Patty has transformed the school into an Reggio-inspired learning center with renovated classrooms and extensive extended day options.  Before coming to TIC, she worked for many years as a Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) in dozens of Nursery schools throughout Westchester and the Bronx, was Director of Kulanu, a supplemental Hebrew High School in Stamford, CT as well as Director of Programming & Volunteers at Congregation B'nai Jeshurun in Manhattan. 

 Patty has a Master's Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Bank Street College.

What does Patty love most about her job?  " I get to experience the beauty and meaning of Jewish living in my daily life, surrounded by children's laughter and singing!  I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with such a gifted group of teachers and professionals and to work so closely with parents and children during this important time in their lives.”