Introduction

The Joan Levin Nursery School, licensed by the State of New Jersey, was started by a group of parents who wanted a Jewish preschool program for their children.  Begun in 1982 with one class of twelve children, the School now has approximately 100 children in eight classes. 

Jewish tradition places a high value on the social, intellectual, emotional and physical growth of children.  We have developed a curriculum designed to reflect these concerns.  The Nursery School day includes free play, both inside and outside, arts and crafts projects, language arts, science, music, reading and math-readiness activities.  Jewish values, customs, holiday traditions and Hebrew language are interwoven into the entire curriculum.

We believe a preschool program should provide a warm and nurturing environment in which each child is free to explore his or her unique talents, abilities, and interests.  The children are exposed to a stimulating environment that fosters social, physical, emotional and intellectual growth.  We feel it is important to aid the young child in developing a good self-image, self-confidence, and the ability to work and play well with others.

Our Nursery School encourages parental involvement in a child's preschool experience.  Parents and teachers gain valuable insights and techniques from each other and at the same time share their talents and interests to maintain the excellent quality at The Jewish Center.  School then becomes a shared experience which we hope will continue throughout each child's educational process.

Aims and Goals

It is our intent, as a preschool facility, to provide each child with the best possible tools for self-discovery and the understanding of his/her environment.  The goals of our school are:

1.   To provide an environment which will serve as a foundation of concrete Jewish experiences, knowledge of the Jewish way of life, values, customs, traditions, and involvement in the synagogue, upon which learning in later years can be built.

2.   To explore, discover and build upon the child's physical and intellectual abilities.

3.   To instill a positive self-image in the child.

4.   To promote concern for others and feelings of mutual respect.

5.   To foster in the child positive and cooperative social behavior.

6.   To nurture within each child respect and love for his/her family.

7.   To stimulate imagination and curiosity.

8.   To expose each child to new experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

Classes and Age Requirements

Please be aware that each school district in our area has a different cut-off date for kindergarten entry.  Our entry date for each class level coincides with that of the Princeton Regional School System.

Class assignments are made by the teachers and the Nursery School Director by the last week in July prior to the start of each school year.  It is not the policy of the School to allow parents to request or select a teacher or class assignment for their child for any of the classes.

The Nursery School is composed of five age groups:  A young  toddler class; 12-24 months, a toddler class; 2-1/2 to 3 year olds, a 3 - 4 year old class and a 4 - 5 year old class.

The Young Toddler Class: K’Tontonim (littlest ones), 12-24 months, is a five month class beginning in January-May.  Children and a parent or caretaker meet once a week on Wednesday from 9:30-10:30.  The class is taught by our Director.  The goal of this class is to provide a first time social gathering in our school for both child and adult.  Children must be 12 months by January 1st.

The  Toddler class:  Yad B'Yad (Hand in Hand), Children and a parent or caretaker enroll for this 1½ hour program which meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:15 - 10:45 a.m.  When enrollment warrants it, a second class is offered from 11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.  The class is led by two teachers.  The goal of this program is to provide a safe, warm and nurturing class in which new friendships for both toddlers and adults are formed.  Mobile younger siblings of enrollees are not permitted to attend the class.  Toilet training is not required.  Children must be one by March 1 (needs to be eighteen months by September 1) by the year of entry.

The 2-1/2 to 3 year old class:  These classes are for those children who are two years of age by May 31st of the year of entry; they need not be toilet trained to attend.  Children in this class have an option of attending the program for two days per week (Tuesday and Thursday), three days per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) or five days per week.  

The 3 to 4 year old class:  Children in this class have an option of attending the program either three days per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) or five days per week.  Children must be three by September 30th of the year of entry.  Children should be toilet trained.*

The 4 to 5 year old class:  These classes meet Monday through Friday.  Children must be four by September 30th of the year of entry and must be toilet trained*.  Children in these classes have an enrichment program on Mondays and Wednesdays (see "Enrichment Program").

* Toilet trained means that they no longer wear diapers or "pull-ups," can consistently verbalize their need to use the bathroom and tend to their toileting needs independently.

Staff

Each class has a head teacher and one or two assistant teachers (depending on class size) or co-head teachers. The head and co-head teacher(s) plan, organize, and develop the children's daily schedule according to the goals and guidelines of the curriculum.  Almost all head and co-teachers are licensed in early childhood and/or elementary education. Some have Master's Degrees or postgraduate credits in education.  Assistant teachers have a variety of backgrounds.

Our Nursery School Director, Gayle Wagner, has a BA Degree in Art/Education.  She has been in the field of Education for many years.  Gayle taught Art in the public school system before choosing to teach pre-school aged children in a Jewish environment.  It is in the early education area that Gayle has focused her energies since 1997.

Our staff is supportive and well trained and has been selected for their knowledge of child development and curriculum planning as well as for their enthusiasm and love of children. 

Priorities for Placement

The high educational quality and nurturing environment provided by the Nursery School have created consistently high demand for spaces in our program.  The priorities for admission and class placement in the Nursery School are as follows, in descending order of priority:

1.   A congregant's child(ren) currently enrolled in the Nursery School.

2.   Siblings of a congregant's child(ren) currently enrolled in the Nursery School.

3.   Siblings of a congregant's child(ren) who have formerly attended the Nursery School.

4.   Children of other congregants, determined by length of membership in The Jewish Center.

5.   Children of a non-congregant who have at least one Jewish parent and are currently enrolled in the Nursery School.

6.   Siblings of non-congregant's child(ren )who have at least one Jewish parent and are currently enrolled in the Nursery School.

7.   Siblings of a non-congregant's child(ren) who have at least one Jewish parent and who have formerly attended the Nursery School.

8.   Children of other non-congregants who have at least one Jewish parent.

9.   Children of a non-congregant currently enrolled in the Nursery School.

10   Siblings of a non-congregant‘s child(ren) currently enrolled in the Nursery School. 

11.  Siblings of a non-congregant’s child(ren) who have formerly attended the Nursery School.

12.  Children of other non-congregants.  

A congregant is defined as one who is current in all financial obligations to The Jewish Center.  Every currently enrolled child, with the exception of a child enrolled in the Yad B’Yad Toddler Class, will be offered a spot for the upcoming school year but may not necessarily receive his/her first choice class.

All children must meet the age requirement for entry into a class.  However, the School Committee and the Nursery School Director reserve the right to place a child who does not meet the age requirements into a class if an unusual situation occurs.

Registration

Registration for the upcoming school year begins on November 1st for in house students and open enrollment begins the first Monday after Thanksgiving.  Registration closes on the last school day in December at 3:00 p.m.  The exact deadline is printed on the application.  All applications must be received in the office by this time to be considered in the first pool of applications.

Applications will neither be reviewed nor processed until the beginning of January, after the deadline for submitting applications.  Notification of acceptance into the Nursery School will be mailed by January 31st.  Application information (i.e., the number of applicants to each class, the number of congregant applications) will not be distributed by the school office.  If two children from the same priority category apply for the same spot, preference in enrollment will be given to the child whose birthday comes first, i.e., the older child.  As always, Jewish Center congregants will receive preference in enrollment over non-congregants according to the priorities listed above.

Along with the acceptance letter, you will receive two copies of an enrollment contract.  One copy of the contract should be retained for your records and the other sent to The Jewish Center with the appropriate deposit by the required date.

Any child not admitted to the Nursery School can be placed on a waiting list.  Children will be placed on the waiting list according to the Priorities for Admission list.  Children will be admitted to the School from the waiting list as spaces become available.  Applicants from a previous year’s registration are not carried over to a new registration year or given any higher priority on the current waiting list. 

We encourage all families to become congregants of The Jewish Center.  Although membership in The Jewish Center is not an absolute prerequisite to enrollment in the Nursery School, non-members may be disadvantaged if the anticipated demand for a limited number of spaces continues.  There is also a surcharge in addition to tuition for non-congregants.  The surcharge is not applicable for the Yad B’Yad Toddler Class or K’Tontonim.  No family who wants to join The Jewish Center will be denied membership because of an inability to pay.  The Administrator of The Jewish Center will be able to discuss financial arrangements with you if you would like to join the synagogue.