The program provides outstanding experiences for young, growing minds. We include playtime, songs, stories, art, movement, cooking experiences and Jewish Holiday crafts, along with outdoor play and many other activities. Socialization is emphasized.

Parent participation is an integral part of this program. A parent may be needed to volunteer on a rotating basis the first few weeks of school depending on the needs of the teachers and the class.

Three day Nursery School meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and is for three-year-olds. Five day Nursery School meets Monday through Friday and is open to three and four-year-olds. Class hours for both programs are 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Children must be toilet trained for these programs.

Our curriculum includes indoor and outdoor playtime, creative movement, art and music as well as science and social studies activities. In addition, our program exposes your child to number concepts, basic phonics, and letters of the alphabet. All classrooms have a computer with several learning games for additional fun and reinforcement.

The beauty of Judaism is shared through songs, stories, and dances. We celebrate each Jewish holiday with special activities and have a weekly Shabbat (Sabbath) celebration. The Rabbi visits the class each week and shares stories, songs, and Hebrew vocabulary with us.

Parental Involvement

A Parent’s meeting is held in the fall to familiarize parents with the school and answer any questions. Parent-teacher conferences are held once a year in January and on an as-needed basis in the spring. Parents should feel free to speak to the teachers at any time. Parents are needed as drivers on field trips and we appreciate parents sharing their special skills and interests with us as they pertain to our program.

Clothes for school should be comfortable and easy for your child to handle by him/herself. Please save belts, suspenders and jump suits for weekend wear as these can be difficult and we are trying to foster independence and self-sufficiency. Dress your child in play clothes and tennis shoes. These are the most practical and safest for our school activities indoors as well as outdoors. No pull-ups please! We often use paint, glue, and other messy items as part of our program. We provide smocks and try to protect clothing. Weather permitting we have outdoor play daily. Label all outerwear your child uses for school. Coats, hats, mittens, and boots all need to be labeled. Be sure boots are large enough to be put on easily. Knit mittens are the best for school and outdoor play. They allow your child flexibility as well as warmth.

A spare set of clothing appropriate to the season can be left in your child’s school bag in case of an emergency.

All children in the school need to bring a bag to school large enough to carry extra clothes, important papers, and artwork. Kneseth Israel Nursery School bags are available for a reasonable price, as are Kneseth Israel Nursery School t-shirts.

Children in the two-year-old class do not need to be toilet trained. All other children must be trained to be in school.

We provide a daily Kosher snack for your child and often the class participates in the preparation of the snack.

Field trips are great fun for your child because they provide special opportunities to exercise curiosity and experience the world. We hope you can help us by volunteering to drive. Children must be in booster seats or car seats. We can only take trips if we have enough drivers.

Your child’s individualism will be encouraged through art. We will work with many different products, textures, colors, and designs. Keep in mind the process is much more important than the end product. Through art your child will experiment, problem solve, create and develop curiosity as well as improve coordination and learn colors, shapes and sizes. Acknowledge your child’s artwork and accept its uniqueness and creativity.

Please let the teachers know who is in your car pool. Send a note if there is any change in transportation. We cannot release your child to people we do not know.

Saying goodbye can be difficult for both you and your child. You can help by talking to our child about the new school experience he or she will be having, and by telling your child about the fun of Nursery school. When you arrive at school, spend a moment or two and then, with a hug and a kiss, say goodbye firmly and in a loving way. If your child cries or protests, loving words such as " I’ll be back soon," can be helpful. If you are comfortable saying goodbye, your child will feel the same way.

To help your child prepare for the school year, talk about school and the things most likely to be found there such as books, toys, paint, and the playground. There will also be other children and special teachers with whom your child will share his/her days. Let your child know you will be leaving for a short time and that you will return.

Promptness

Our teachers arrive early to prepare for the school day and school begins at 9:00 a.m. Be on time for the beginning of class each day so that your child may participate fully. If you are running late we would rather have your child come late than not at all! At the end of the day our teachers have much to do, so it is important that you pick up your child on time.

If Anne Arundel County schools are closed due to snow or bad weather, our Nursery School is closed. If county schools open one (1) hour late, we will open on time. If county schools open two (2) hours late, we will open at 10:00 a.m., and the afternoon class will open on time. Listen to the radio for school closing announcements. WNAV (1430) is the local station.

Every year individual and class pictures are taken in the fall. The pictures will be sent home and you may purchase the ones you would like and return the rest.

We will distribute a class list early in the school year. This will include the name, address, and telephone number and parent’s names of each child in your child’s class. We hope you will find this useful in getting children together outside of school.

We will notify you when show and tell will begin. Children are free to bring items of their choosing in a bag with their name on it or in their school bag. If an item could relate to a unit or letter we are studying that would be appreciated. Please, NO GUNS, KNIVES, SWORDS, OR WEAPONS OF ANY KIND.

We love to celebrate birthdays in our classes. Please let us know if you would like to send a special snack along with party napkins or plates if the snack calls for it. Be sure to confirm the date with the teachers. All snacks must be Kosher and labeled U. This may include "Entenmanns" or "Tasty Cake" products. Also, "Lenders" mini bagels and "Kraft" cream cheese, and "Breyers" or Sealtest" ice cream products. Fresh fruits and vegetables are always welcome. No home baked goods are allowed in the synagogue. Check with the teachers if you have any questions. Children with summer birthdays will have the opportunity to have a special "un-birthday" celebration in May.

Please be considerate of others in sending your child to school. If he/she shows signs of a fresh cold, fever, coughing, sneezing, or any other symptom, keep your child home. A completed medical form and immunization record must be kept in school for each child.

You will fill out an emergency card at the beginning of each school year. Be sure to keep us up to date on any job changes or cell phone numbers or any other changes affecting emergency information. You will also need to fill out a consent to treat form in case of an emergency requiring a trip to the hospital. All hospitals are now requiring this in case of an unforeseen emergency where the parents cannot be reached.

Extended Daycare