Scarsdale10583 Preschool Guide

Attention parents of preschoolers: Now is the time to consider where your child will go to school in September, 2013. Programs are already filling up, and if you haven't done so already, consider your options, schedule a school visit or attend an open house at a pre-school soon. Here are four excellent local programs for your consideration:

Hoff-Barthelson Music School: The HB Preschool offers separate half-days for three and four year olds in a safe, nurturing environment which promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children. Experienced teachers meet each child's developmental needs and build toward readiness for kindergarten. Children are involved through play in a full curriculum, with a special emphasis on music and art, which introduces numbers and language arts, science and nature, and dramatic play, cooking, sand and water play, and outdoor play. Twice weekly music and movement classes in Dalcroze eurhythmics are a highlight of the program.

Hoff-Barthelson Music School is one of Westchester County's most cherished and active cultural resources and has achieved national recognition as a premier community music school for its unsurpassed leadership in education, performance and outreach.

Hoff-Barthelson Music School, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, NY 914-723-1169 email hb@hbms.org or visit www.hbms.org

The JCC Early Childhood Center provides a nurturing and safe environment based on the philosophy of purposeful play. Through play, children 17 months – 5 years learn to touch, hear, feel, taste, see, move and create a world of wonder and possibility. In this warm and supportive setting, children are encouraged to explore and socialize. In all programs, children learn to take turns, share and cooperate with others. Our exceptional staff of early childhood educators provides age- appropriate learning tools needed to foster independence as well as enhanced listening, language and academic readiness skills. Children of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome. Jewish holidays and the values associated with them as well as secular celebrations are brought to life through stories, dramatic play and preparation of traditional foods. Each class also participates in weekly specials, including swim, gymnastics, physical education, creative movement and music.

JCC Early Childhood Center programs include Me 2, a two day, morning program for young twos. For two year olds, we offer 2, 3 or 5 day morning programs (9-11:15am), that may be supplemented by adding Lunch Bunch, a supervised time for lunch and play, 11:15am-12:15 pm. For three year olds, 3, 4 or 5 day morning (9-11:45am) or full day (9am-3pm) programs are available. For four year olds, 5 day morning (9-11:45am) or full day (9am-3pm) programs are available. For 4/5 year olds, our Connect 5's program provides a transitional year of pre-school for children who may benefit from an extra year before kindergarten. Three, four and five year olds may supplement their day with afternoon enrichment programs (11:45-3pm). Enrichments vary by age and something different is offered each day.

For more information and to set up a tour, contact Julie Dorfman, Director, JCC of Mid-Westchester Early Childhood Center, 999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583, 914-472-3300, x412, visit us online at  www.jccmw.org or or email: dorfmanj@jccmw.org

The Early Childhood Program at Congregation Kol Ami is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and developmentally appropriate curriculum while teaching and modeling Jewish values. Our focus is centered on encouraging pride in oneself as an individual and as an important member of the Jewish people. We believe that children learn best through experiential play and provide for these rich experiences within warm, accepting, and nurturing surroundings. All of our Head Teachers hold Masters Degrees in Early Childhood or related educational fields. Our teacher-student ratios are 1:5.

We offer a wide range of programs for children and families. Starting with the very young, Mommy Talk, a drop-in playgroup for infants 2 to 9 month olds, and First Friends, a non-separated playgroup especially tailored for children 13 months to 21 months. Our 2's can choose from two to five day experiences, 3's programming choices include three, four, and five day morning opportunities with additional programming every afternoon until 2 pm. Our 4's can choose between morning programming and full day programming until 4 pm. Our A Step Ahead! program for specially designed for children turning 5 from September to December provides full-day pre-k learning until 2:30 with options to stay until 4 most afternoons. School day specialists include Gym, Music, Israeli Dance and Movement, Nature, Gardening, and Torah Alive!. Afternoon fun includes Soccer, Art, Yoga, Nature, Literacy, Math Magic, Cooking, Karate, and Ballet.
Schedule a visit and see for yourself. Come feel the warm sense of community that is the hallmark of the Early Childhood Program of Congregation Kol Ami. Call our Director, Nan Blank at 914-949-4717 x107, to schedule a mutually convenient time when you can come by. You will meet our staff and observe first hand the programs that will nurture your child and begin their journey into the world of school and community. Feel free to visit our website at nykolami.org

WRT Center for Early Childhood: The Early Childhood Center at Westchester Reform Temple (WRT/ECC) is a state licensed preschool offering programs for infants through pre-K. We offer a comprehensive, top-notch educational program in a warm and nurturing environment. We are dedicated to enriching young children'slives socially, emotionally, academically, spiritually and physically. We strive to be inclusive, welcoming every child regardless of cultural background or affiliation. The ECC is a family-centered community where parents are encouraged to become involved in both the classroom and other school activities. Parents are included in holiday parties, weekly Shabbat celebrations, regular newsletters and e-mails, social functions and teacher conferences. Families are also invited to many activities open to the greater temple community like Sharing Shabbat, children'sHigh Holy Day services, charitable activities, and holiday carnivals and festivities. The ECC seeks to create a stimulating environment for children and their families so that they may grow and explore the world together. We see the preschool experience as a critical first step in a child's journey of developing values, self-esteem and lifelong learning —planting the seeds from which a child will eventually grow into adulthood. Free, drop-in morning groups, including an Infant Class on Wednesdays and a Bagels and Babies Playgroup on Fridays, are offered throughout the year.

Contact Susan Tolchin, Director Westchester Reform Temple Early Childhood Center, 255 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale, New York 10583 by phone at 914-723-5493, ext. 8620 or email: Sue.Tolchin@wrtemple.org.