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The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center Early Childhood Education program is designed to develop the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual well-being of each child through our developmental milestone curriculum. Our focus is on creating a safe and nurturing environment which offers opportunities for exploration and discovery. We strive to develop curiosity, imagination, self-esteem, caring for others, and the ability to play both cooperatively and independently. We are committed to expanding community access to recreational and social programs for children with disabilities. The program is multi-sensory.

Experiences are provided to encourage growth in the following areas:

• Fine and Gross Motor Coordination
• Sensory Integration
• Cognitive and Adaptive Skills
• Socio-emotional Development
• Language Development
• Moral Development
• Spanish as a Second Language

The environmental components in the classroom are enhanced by the “ta’am” (flavor) of Judaism, the heritage and values, which allows the children to cultivate a positive sense of identity for themselves and with the greater community. Cultural diversity is promoted and respected as children and families share their traditions from around the globe. 

The curriculum emphasizes the development of the “whole child.” Learning activities are designed to match the developmental stages of each child. Attention is directed at the process and pleasure of discovery in each project and not on the final product. Quality teachers and specialists offer an integrated approach to education, skillfully interweaving academic goals and objectives as they build on what children can do, and challenge them to try new things. Language arts, reading and math readiness skills, art, science, movement, dramatic and imaginative play, and creative activities are linked through individual units as they are explored. Jewish culture, traditions, holidays, and heritage are studied and celebrated with songs, stories, dance, cooking, and crafts. Shabbat is celebrated at school each week in an atmosphere of joyful togetherness and sharing.

Specialties: Children are offered specialties by professional staff in music, physical education, and computer.

 

TOTALEHS
(18–23 months)

TOTalehs offers one of the best toddler programs available in San Diego County. Parents and toddlers will love the individualized attention provided by an extraordinary staff who promotes social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development through nurturing supervision. TOTalehs come in as toddlers and grow into confident, creative, curious, and imaginative two-year olds. Our five-day program is designed to support working parents; two options are available.

“WEE” PLAY
(9–16 months)

Babies 10–16 months share developmental experiences while their parents enjoy a support group of new friends under the direction of an early childhood education specialist. This parent participation program meets weekly on Thursdays from 11:30 A.M –1:00 P.M. 

TOT ’N COMPANY
(17–23 months)

Enjoy this first preschool experience with your toddler, 17–23 months old, from 9:00 –11:00 A.M each Tuesday or Thursday. Share a special time while you and your little one participate in music, art, rhythm and movement, and Shabbat and holiday observances.

EXPLORERS

The Explorers class is uniquely designed for our oldest children who are given the gift of an extra year of preschool. The spiraled curriculum is geared to promote skill development and social independence which will enhance kindergarten readiness.

ENRICHMENT

Sports, music, creative movement, yoga, Judo, cooking, dance, science, math, and drama are among the enrichment classes offered each afternoon on a rotating schedule for 3–5 year olds. Classes meet once a week for approximately six week sessions. Further information about enrichment class programs, schedules, and fees is available through the Preschool Office. Enrichment Hours: M–F, 1:15–2:15 P.M.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMS

Cutting edge research in brain development emphasizes the benefits of learning a foreign language at a very early age. Nierman preschoolers are offered a unique opportunity to build the pathways needed to acquire a new language. Morning enrichment classes introduce the vocabulary that will prime children for future language studies. The intensive Immersion programs produce bilingual children! Take advantage of the opportunity to maximize language learning during the early ages when the brain is most receptive.

Spanish Enrichment Days
M/W, T/F.. . . . . . . . . 8:15 – 8:45 A.M.

Russian Enrichment
T/F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8:15 – 8:45 A.M.

Hebrew Enrichment Days
T/F.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8:15 – 8:45 A.M.

Spanish Immersion
T, W, TH. . . . . . . . . .1:00 – 3:00 P.M.

Chinese Immersion
M, W . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:00 – 3:00 P.M.

EXTENDED CARE

Kid Konnection (KK) offers flexible extended day care for preschool children. Working parents can feel confident about leaving their children for a full day under the attentive supervision provided by the preschool staff. For parents’ convenience, children can also be signed up for KK on an hourly basis.
Fee: $8.00/hr (Charged by the half hour)

Extended Care Hours:
M–TH . . 7:30–9:00 A.M., 1:00 –5:30 P.M.
F . . . . . . 7:30–9:00 A.M., 1:00 –5:00 P.M. 

 

Download Preschool Brochure

Registration for the 2010–2011 academic school year opens in January 11, 2010. Families currently enrolled at Nierman Preschool have first priority through January 15th. Spaces are limited in some classes. In order to get your first choice program, please sign-up as soon as possible. On January 18 all available spaces will be filled from applications received from the community.

To apply, please submit a completed registration form with the application fee of $500 for Preschool only ($200 will be applied towards the final tuition payment)*; $600 for Preschool and camp ($200 will be applied towards the final preschool payment; $100 towards camp)*

Please note: Members of the Jewish Community Center have priority placement. Non-members’ registration forms and application fees cannot be confirmed until April 30, 2010.

Non-members are welcome to become members and to have their applications processed immediately. The Lawrence Family JCC is pleased to offer a monthly bank draft that allows you to spread your annual membership fees over a twelve-month period. Membership fees will not be deposited without the consent of the parents unless the preschool registration can be confirmed. (Membership priority placement will be contingent upon member’s accounts being current for all fees and dues.) A waiting list will be maintained for those children who are not enrolled due to lack of space.

REFUND POLICY: Refunds of $250 from the application fees will be honored through May14th for cancelled registrations. NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS will be considered after that date. Sorry NO EXCEPTIONS.

PRESCHOOL PAYMENT OPTIONS

Plan A - Preschool: Payment in full by July 1, 2010

Plan B - Preschool: Four payment plan due:

July 1, 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . .First payment

September 1, 2010. . . . . . .Second payment

November 1, 2010.. . . . . . Third payment

January 1, 2011 . . . . . . . . .Fourth payment

Plan C - Preschool: Nine monthly payments due the first of each month from July 1– March 1

Plan D - Preschool & Camp: Payment in full by July 1, 2010

Plan E - Preschool & Camp: 12 monthly payments due the first of each month from July 1–June 1

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: A limited number of scholarships are available. Requests for financial assistance must be submitted no later than April 21, 2010. Requests received after that date will be considered only if funds are available.

Non-payment of fees by the specified dates will result in a suspension of services. Membership will automatically be renewed and payable if it expires while your child is in preschool.

For more information, call the Nierman Preschool, 858.457.0398.

Download Preschool Brochure

TOTalehs: Toddler program for 18 – 23 month olds

Wee Play: Baby/parent participation for 9– 16 months

Tot & Company: Toddler/parent participation program for 17 – 23 months

Preschool: Programs for 2 – 5 year olds using developmental milestone curriculum

Explorers: Advanced class for children given the gift of an extra year in preschool

Kid Konnection: Flexible extended care

Specialties: Spanish, Music, Physical Education, and Computers taught by Specialists

Enrichment: After-school specialty classes

Special Skills Groups: Sensory motor and social

Foreign Languare Immersion: Preschool programs taught exclusively in Spanish,Chinese and Russian

Foreign Language Enrichment: Spanish, Russian and Hebrew morning enrichment classes

Inclusion: Integrate children with special needs in all preschool classes

Holiday Festivities: Class, school-wide and family celebrations

Family Education: Parenting programs and special focus meetings

Faculty: Creative, caring, and experienced teachers, assistants, and specialists including social worker and occupational therapist

Facility: State of the art classrooms, playgrounds, amphitheatre, gym, computer lab, JCC theatre and olympic size swimming pool

SCHOOL DATES/HOURS

September 7, 2010—June 2, 2011 M–F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 A.M .–1:00 P.M.

* See school calendar for holidays and vacations

FOOD PROGRAMS

Daily lunches and delicious challah for Shabbat can be ordered through the Preschool Office.

FACILITIES

The beautiful Glickman uGalinson Early Childhood Education Complex featuring the Nierman Preschool, houses fifteen stateof- the-art classrooms adjoined by specially designed preschool bathrooms, a central outdoor playground, a special toddler/two year old play yard, an outdoor amphitheater, a kitchen, computer lab, and a multi-purpose room.

SECURITY/SAFETY

The security program at Nierman Preschool is in place with video cameras and the presence of security guards. Entrance to the school is monitored. All parents are required to participate in an earthquake preparedness program. A survival kit must be ordered if your child does not have a kit at the preschool. Please include the fee for earthquake preparedness with application fee.

SIGRID & JACK FISCHER SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Help send a child to preschool by becoming a Sigrid & Jack Fischer Scholarship Patron! Many children need your financial support so that they can gain the growth and enrichment of a preschool experience. 

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Karen DePodesta, Chairperson
Alma Hadash Geiger, Director
Judi Sofer, Assistant Director
Nataliya Telerman, Assistant Director

Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS

Julie Potiker, President, Board of Directors
Michael Cohen, Executive Director
Nate Stein, Associative Executive Director
Nancy Johnson, Chief Financial Officer

PARENT PARTICIPATION CLASS

Parent Participation Class is designed to be a transitional program for 2 year olds. Although parents generally phase out by the end of January, they are welcome to leave earlier or remain throughout the school year, depending on their family needs.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT & HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES

School activities and programs are greatly enhanced by the enthusiastic support of our active Nierman Preschool Committee. Parents are invited to be involved in the classrooms and on committees including newsletter, room parents, policy and grounds, and special programs. Joyous family holiday celebrations are planned throughout the school year in addition to classroom festivities. Participation at the school offers a rewarding way to be more involved with your child and to meet other families.

FAMILY EDUCATION & SPECIALISTS

We are fortunate to have a social worker and occupational therapist on staff to help identify children’s needs and to assist parents and teachers with appropriate resources to maximize their children’s potential. Unique social skills and motor skills enrichments are offered by trained specialists.