EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
The Temple Israel
Early Childhood Center offers children and their parents a warm, welcoming,
and nurturing environment where sharing and caring are prevalent. We
incorporate a multicultural perspective into our curriculum, preparing
children to be positive influences in the community. Our belief is that
our children should enjoy discovering “why” and exploring
“how” in a Jewish environment where hands-on learning is
an everyday occurrence.
Our Early Childhood Center is a safe and nurturing environment in which we care for the social, emotional, physical and intellectual well being of each child. We develop curiosity, imagination, self-esteem, caring for others, and the ability to play both cooperatively and independently. Our program is multi-sensory, and provides experiences in imaginative play, stories and discussions, cooking, music, small and large motor activities, art, math, and science. In all our activities, our attention is on the process and pleasure of discovery, not the product. Our mission for each individual student is to enhance self-esteem, support social competence, create a passion for learning, and encourage reaching one’s potential by creating hands-on learning experiences that are relevant, developmentally appropriate, challenging, and dynamic.
As part of our Jewish cultural tradition and heritage, we celebrate the Jewish holidays with songs, stories, special foods, and customs. On Fridays, each class celebrates Shabbat. In each classroom, Shabbat helpers are selected and challah (braided bread) is eaten with grape juice. We visit the sanctuary for songs, a story, and a visit with the rabbi or cantor. On the Shabbat closest to each child’s birthday, the child is called up to the bimah (raised platform in Sanctuary) to hold the Torah scroll (the first of three sections of the Hebrew Bible); we say the Shehecheyanu (prayer for special occasions) and sing Yom Huledet Sameach (Happy Birthday). Parents are always welcome and encouraged to join us in these celebrations.
*Temple Israel’s Early Childhood Center is licensed by the State of Minnesota, Department of Human Services (phone: 651-296-3971) for 124 children in attendance at any one time.
For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact
Trish Mintz, ECC Director, at 612-374-0334.
From Our ECC Parent Advisory Council
The prevailing wisdom in the early childhood community affirms what a lot of us as parents have known for a long time: a good preschool setting is like a good neighborhood for its families. It moves beyond providing its requisite hours of developmentally appropriate activities for children to provide support, a variety of fun “extra-curricular” activities, reinforcement of family values, and a sense of community. Welcome to a great neighborhood!
This is a place where children and their families are treasured. We think you will find the staff, the program, and the community here to be very special.
As parents and Chairs of the Early Childhood Center Parent Advisory Council, we encourage you to participate fully in the programs offered to children and their families over the coming year. Early Childhood Center Parent Advisory Council meetings allow you to participate in your child’s pre-school programs and experience. We provide special events and offerings on classroom, school-wide, and developmental issues.
Our informal family get-togethers, such as the Ice Cream Social, Wine and Cheese Reception, and assistance with Teacher Appreciation Days, will enable you to get to know other members of our community. The intergenerational character of these events is particularly special for families with young children. Even if your family is not Jewish, we suspect you will be enriched by participation in your child’s exceptional “second neighborhood.”
We look forward to getting to know you during the coming year.
Sincerely,
Early Childhood Center Parent Advisory Council
