OHAV'S NURSERY SCHOOL
Nursery School Registration Has Begun- call Amie Bloom 489-4894 for more information or to arrange for a tour!
Nursery School
Ohav Shalom Nursery School is a Play Based preschool program, where the focus is on meeting the needs of each individual child. Hands on art experiences, free play opportunities, and a balance of structured and unstructured activities, are a part of the everyday school activities.
The Needs of a Preschool Child
Imagine a child engaged wholly in play
Where each child is encouraged to learn and to grow as an individual
Where time is the true priority.
Time to play
Time to explore
Time to talk
Time to share
Time for children to simply be together
Time for children to be with their teachers
Time for teachers to talk with parents
Preschool is the time where learning is the most fun
Children are invited to explore the world around them and answer their most curious questions
What happens when water is added to sand?
What happens when you paint your feet?
What happens when yellow paint is mixed with blue?
What does it feel like? What does it look like?
Where the most important learning occurs through hands on play-
Science is taught by playing with blocks,
Gravity, speed, balance, observation, experimentation
Social skills are learned making mudpies, taking walks, and on the playground
Math is taught with Lincoln logs, building blocks, and legos
And creativity is nurtured through open art experiences, creative writing and music
Preschool children need time to just be
Being together, being alone,
Preschool children need time to be loved
Preschool children need time to do their work,
The work of playing and giggling, and simply having fun
Amie Bloom (2008)
Programs we offer include:
Ohav Shalom Nursery School has a total of 7 classrooms.
- 18 months- 2.5 years
- toddlers- age 2 by Dec 1
- three year olds- age 3 by Dec 1
- three year old integrated classroom- co taught by typical preschool teachers, and a special education teacher. This class includes children with special needs, and typically developing children.
- Four year olds- 4 by Dec 1 (2 classes)
- Four year old integrated classroom- co taught by typical preschool teachers and a special education teacher. This class includes children with special needs, and typically developing children.
Each classroom is taught by 2 teachers, both whom have experience working with young children. Each of our Head Teachers, has a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, the majority of our teachers, possess a Master’s degree in education, and have worked with children for an average of 18 years.
Classroom Information-
Classes are held Monday-Friday. The nursery school portion of the day is from 9:30-1:00. Extended day programming is also available from 8:00 daily until 5:30 Monday-Thursday, and until 3:30 on Fridays.
2 year olds may attend program 2, 3 or 5 days per week.
3 year olds may attend program 3 or 5 days per week
The 4 year old program is a 5 day program.
Program Descriptions
18 month and 2 year old classes-
The focus in these two classrooms is on socialization and individualized programming. It is our goal for the children to enjoy coming to school, to learn to play with peers, and to enjoy participating in the experiences that school has to offer.
Everyday at school begins with free play. Open art experiences, and classroom toys are available for the children to play with as they enter school every morning.
Throughout the day, the children also participate in story time, circle time, outdoor play and a variety of art experiences. The toddler curriculum focuses on things in a toddler’s daily world including colors, shapes, and family.
3 year old classes
Our three year old classes expand on the concept of socialization by beginning to teach the concepts of cooperation, and team work. The 3 year old classes also start the school day with free play, and typically offer an art experience that allows a child the time to be with a teacher. Sometimes this includes writing a story, creating themed books, or participating in art experiences that require more adult support.
The three year old curriculum expands to include the larger world around the children. Incorporated in the three year old curriculum are community workers, animal habitats, and migration and hibernation.
4 year old classes
Our four year old classes are taught with the belief that children truly learn best through play. Each four year old class consists of at least an hour and a half of uninterrupted free play time for the children to interact and guide their own play experiences. Throughout free play time, the children are offered a variety of experiences including strategy games, art projects, puzzles and imaginary play schemes to enrich their social interactions with peers.
Our 4 year old themes include Famous Authors, Penguins and Snakes, and an in-depth exploration of the world at large. Each theme is explored through stories, games, art experiences and other hands on activities.
Afternoon Program Options
After 1:00, Ohav Shalom Nursery School offers 3 afternoon program options.
- Extended Day - children rest/nap from 1:00-3:00. Children who have outgrown their nap, are given some quiet time to rest, and then outside or inside play time.
- Enrichment classes - Enrichment class sessions are 10-12 weeks in length and are held from 1:00-2:00 Monday-Friday. A variety of enrichment classes are offered each session including Tae Kwon Do, Cooking, Woodworking, Eating the Alphabet, and Sign Language.
- Playdate - Playdate is a cross between Extended Day and Enrichment classes. Playdate is offered Monday-Friday from 1:00-2:30. Every Playdate class begins with some free play time. Then the children participate in an activity that correlates with the Playdate theme. These activities can include cooking, games, art experience, or musical games.
Judaic Programming
Throughout the year we offer a variety of parent-child programs to celebrate the Jewish holidays. We also enjoy a weekly Shabbat Party with Rabbi Dan Ornstein and Rabbi Rena Kieval where the entire school gathers together to sing Jewish songs, hear stories with a Jewish theme and welcome in Shabbat together.
Havdallah, the ceremony to end Shabbat, is celebrated as a school community on Monday mornings. The children enjoy singing songs, and welcoming the new week all together.
In addition to these weekly Jewish activities, we also have a yearly school wide Judaic theme. Over the past few years, our themes have included Bible Heroes, Tzedekah, and Taking Care of the World. Jewish holidays are also celebrated throughout the year.
Summer Camp
Ohav Shalom offers a summer camp program for a total of 8 weeks every summer. Camp is offered for children ages 18 months-5 years. Our camp program is offered Monday-Thursday from 8:00-4:00 each day.
The summer camp program is very similar to our Nursery School program. In addition to our daily circle time, free play and art experiences, every day also includes extended time for outside play.
For more information or to schedule a tour please contact Amie Bloom at the school office, 489-4894.
