United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
New Jersey Region
Norman Glikin Synagogue of Excellence
Pine Brook Jewish Center Nursery School is honored to have won two gold awards for programming on:
Family Integration & Yom Ha'Atzmaut
October 2008

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About the Preschool

Pine New Jersey RegionBrook Jewish Center Nursery School has been serving the Lake Hiawatha and Montville communities since 1973. Our mission has always remained the same: to provide a warm, caring and nurturing environment for young children. We are an integral part of Pine Brook Jewish Center but all children of all faiths are welcome to attend the school. Our preschool classes begin at age two and continue through the four-year-old pre-kindergarten class. 

The basic philosophy of our program is the belief that preschool provides a foundation for the future of each child. 

Based on their experiences, children develop as they paint or draw, build with blocks, sing songs, listen to or tell stories to their teachers. As they gather information, solve problems and experiment to make sense of their daily activities, development is taking place. This is the beginning of the rest of their lives! 

Programs

Pine Brook Jewish Center Nursery School offers many programs to meet the needs of our children and their families. 

We offer two different classes for two-year-olds. We offer an “Older Two’s Class” for children who turn 2 by April 1 and an “Itty Bitty Baby Two’s Class” for children who turn 2 by October 1. Both classes aim to help each child successfully separate from the parent, relate to and trust the teachers and begin to socially connect to the other children in the class. To facilitate these goals, a program of gradual orientation to the classroom setting is followed during the first few weeks of the school year. Once the child feels secure and at ease, he/she is then able to take advantage of and enjoy the wide range of materials and experiences that the class has to offer. 

The “Three’s Class” begins to expand the child’s thinking and learning. Children are increasingly involved in music, cooking, arts and crafts and imaginative play. The program encourages self-discipline and increased responsibility in regard to classroom activities, as well as one’s own actions. Concepts of letters, numbers, shapes and colors are explored with greater depth and attention. 

The “Fours/Pre-Kindergarten Class” offers an even more exciting year for the children. Math, Science, Social Studies, reading and writing readiness skills, all help in expanding the child’s knowledge base of the world around them. Dramatic play, opportunities for creative expression, arts and crafts and cooking are introduced this year as well. In addition, an emphasis on learning increased self-control, development of greater self-sufficiency and consideration of others, are objectives factored into our program. 

All classes learn about secular and Jewish holidays and all take part in a weekly Shabbat celebration! 

We also offer “Mommy & Me” classes. Separate classes are offered for mommies with children 12-19 months old or 20-29 months old. Activities include age-appropriate manipulatives, songs, arts and crafts and gross motor activities. 

“Camp Yeladim Tovim” is our summer mini camp for preschool-aged children. Seven weeks of theme related activities, arts and crafts, cooking, sports and games and water play, are all integrated into a fun-filled summer for the little ones. 

The Staff 

Our state-certified teachers and experienced teaching assistants, provide the school with it’s wonderful reputation. All staff is trained in Pediatric CPR, as well as First Aid and the staff takes part in a variety of staff development workshops throughout each school year. 

Many of our teachers have been employed by our school for close to 20 years, while others are the parents of preschool graduates of our program from years past. We feel that this wonderful combination gives us a unique perspective on the preschool experience. 

The teachers have each child’s best interests in mind at all times, including their emotional, social and physical well being.

The Preschool Environment

Our indoor and outdoor facilities were planned with the needs of young children in mind. Our large, spacious rooms, offer many opportunities for creative play, arts and crafts and quiet activities. Bathroom facilities are close by and most have sinks right in the rooms. 

Our outdoor playground offers learning through discovery and play, with equipment to support fun and exciting opportunities for physical development. In the event of inclement weather, our large indoor gym, with its bikes and other riding toys, provides a space for large-motor activities. 

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