Beit HaYeladim Preschool

Beit HaYeladim Preschool is located on the grounds of Congregation B’nai B’rith and can be reached directly at (805) 967-6619.

Our child-oriented program emphasizes enriching the whole child by focusing on the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual areas of development. We facilitate the development of positive self image and communication skills by providing a warm and loving atmosphere in which the uniqueness of each child is respected. Beit HaYeladim, the house of children, is the ideal setting for children to form their first friendships. The educational program includes music, art, literature, science, cooking, gardening, dance, drama, sports, Jewish living and community awareness. We provide a stimulating curriculum which enhances the child’s urge to discover and create, in a richly Jewish atmosphere, in which appreciation and knowledge of Jewish customs, traditions, and values are fostered.

Programs Offered

Half-day morning	9 am to 1 pm
Half-day afternoon	12:30 pm to 5:45 pm
Full day	7:30 am to 5:45 pm

A Day in the Life…

7:30 - 9:00		Creative quiet play indoors
9:00 - 9:30		Outside activity time
9:30 - 10:00		Group time indoors
10:00 - 10:15		Restroom and snack time
10:15 - 11:00		Inside activity time
11:00 - 11:45		Outside activity time
11:45 - 1:00		Restroom, lunch, and outdoor activities
1:00 - 3:30		Nap/rest time and indoor quiet time
3:30 - 3:45		Restroom and snack time
3:45 - 4:30		Activity time and free play outdoors
4:30 - 5:45		Quiet inside activities

Days of Operation
School is in session twelve months per year with the exception of six in-service days and:

New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Day
President’s Day (as per public school observation)
First and seventh days of Passover
First day of Shavuot
Memorial Day
July 4
Labor Day
First day of Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur
First day of Sukkot
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving weekend
Week between Christmas and New Year’s

School closes at 1:00 pm on Erev Rosh Hashanah, Erev Yom Kippur, and Erev Passover.

Parental Involvement
Parental involvement is an integral part of our program. There are many ways in which parents can participate during their children’s years at Beit HaYeladim, such as sitting on committees, helping to plan special events, driving on field trips, fund raising, and helping in the classrooms. Being involved allows for the deepening of the entire family’s knowledge and experience of Judaism.

Shabbat
Each week, the children prepare for Shabbat. They bake challah and pick flowers to decorate the table. Each week, two shabbat families provide lunch for the children. The Shabbat children help set the table for the Shabbat lunch and open the Ark in the sanctuary during our short service with the Rabbi or Cantor. Following the service, there is a Kabbalat Shabbat.

Special Activities

Singing with Cantor Mark Childs each week
Science with Helen Curhan each month
Field trips and visits from community members, monthly
Dor L’Dor intergenerational program

Beit HaYeladim Staff
The members of the preschool staff have educational backgrounds and experience in early childhood education and have a commitment to providing a warm nurturing environment for young children and their families. Benefits and ongoing professional development are part of the employment package.