Beth El Synagogue Center

Beth El Nursery School

Rates & Online Registration
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Or call us at (914) 235-2700, ext. 250

Opportunities to Experience Beth El Nursery School

Mission Statement

The primary goal of Beth El Nursery School is to establish a foundation for learning in a warm and nurturing environment for children ages 18 months to 5 years old and their families. Our program, which is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, is an interconnected web of practices anchored by our understanding of children as being eager to explore and learn, competent and resourceful, ready to collaborate, and full of wonder and delight. Our classrooms provide interactive environments that stimulate the different talents, abilities and timetables of each developing child. We encourage children to become independent learners while we promote personal creativity and expression.

Learning activities are designed to promote all aspects of a child’s development – social, physical, emotional and cognitive – as we seek to nurture a child’s curiosity and sense of community. Our school embraces families from all backgrounds and cultivates a connection to Jewish values and tradition. Families are partners in the work that we do, joining with children and teachers to celebrate Jewish life and learning. Ideas and practices are explored from different perspectives, creating a richly textured tapestry that gives expression to our unique approach to early childhood education.

Programs

Our school calendar is based on the New Rochelle Public School schedule and the Jewish holidays. All programs are staffed by at least two teachers. Class size is limited by age category and/or room size. In an effort to increase the Hebrew language component of our programs, our classes are given Hebrew names according to the parts of a tree to symbolize growth. 

*Full day 3s, Full day 4s and Gesher will be dismissed at 1:30pm for winter Fridays for Shabbat.

Toddler Time is a program facilitated by a Beth El Nursery School teacher on Tuesdays and Fridays, with two class options: 9:15am – 10:30am or 10:45am – 12:00pm. Toddler Time includes hands-on experiential learning, sensory play, music, art, snack, and gross-motor activities. 

Build social connections with other parents and introduce your toddler to the wonderful world of Beth El Nursery School! Children are accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Children must be two by December 31st of the entering school year.

  • 3-Day-2s – Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9:00AM-11:45AM

  • 5-Day-2s – Monday through Friday 9:00AM-11:45AM

Children must be three by December 31st of the entering school year.

  • Full-Day-3s – Monday through Friday (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, with early dismissal at 1:30 PM on Fridays during the winter months)

  • AM-3s – Monday-Friday (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Children must be four by December 31st of the entering school year.

  • Full-Day-4s – Monday-Friday (9:00 AM – 2:30 PM, with early dismissal at 1:30PM on Fridays during the winter months)

This program is for children born between 1/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 and is offered Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 3:00 pm (1:30pm dismissal on Fridays during the winter months for Shabbat). Gesher is for children who would benefit from the gift of an additional school year before entering kindergarten. 

Extended Hours

Extended hours will be offered for our children enrolled in the 2026-2027 school year:

  • Early Drop Off—drop off your child between 8:00-9:00am, Monday through Friday

  • After Care—pick up your child as late as 6:00pm Monday through Thursday, and until 3:00pm on Friday

Please contact the Nursery School office at nursery@bethelnr.org or 914-235-2700, ext. 250 for additional information.

Our nursery school welcomes families from across Westchester County including New Rochelle, Scarsdale and surrounding communities.

Our Gifted Specialists

Woodworking

Our Woodworking Program invites children to design, create, and build using authentic tools, including saws, drills, hammers, and screwdrivers. Through hands-on exploration, children develop creativity, problem-solving skills, coordination, and confidence while learning to use tools safely.

Atelier

A key component in our Reggio Emilia inspired school,  this  art studio, complete with a gifted instructor Naava Katz, known as an Atelierista, invites children to invent, create, and explore through art.

Music

Debra Stieglitz leads all of our classes in Shirah, our interactive weekly music program, which includes an extensive repertoire of children’s melodies, introduction to music theory, enhanced by musical instruments.

Sports 

Coach Steve provides our 3s, 4s, and 5s with exciting athletic games and gross motor activities. 

Movement & Drumming 

Shmulik, known as the “Pied Piper of Beth El,” engages our 3s, 4s, and 5-year-olds in Rikud, a Hebrew focused movement and drumming program.

Yoga 

Emily Herzfeld offers age-appropriate yoga that delights our 3s, 4s, and 5s.

Shabbat & Holiday Music 

Beth El’s Cantor Gaby and Music Director Jack Klebanow sing with our children and introduce them to Shabbat and holiday music on a weekly basis.

STEAM Studio 

Beth El Nursery School offers a state-of-the-art Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math studio!

Resident Shinshin 

A recent Israeli high school graduate on a gap year before army service brings a love and enthusiasm for Israeli language, culture, geography, food, and music to our classrooms.  

Professional Support

Project SEED (Supporting Early Emotional Development) is a collaboration between Westchester Jewish Community Services and the Jewish Education Project and is designed to help early childhood educators support young children’s emotional development. Julie Schnur, LMSW, is Beth El Nursery School’s Project SEED consultant, and an integral component of our school community. She’s a clinical social worker and early childhood development and curriculum consultant. Julie works together with teachers, parents and directors to understand children developmentally and addresses challenges in the classroom having to do with behavior, curriculum, and group dynamics. She is available to support parents individually and in groups to understand their children and to obtain help if needed to facilitate their child’s optimal development. 

Dynamic Outdoor Spaces

Our three state-of-the-art playground areas offer a wide range of sensory, gross, and fine motor activities, and most importantly, a fun space for expansive exploration and imagination.

Highlights of Our Playground

  • Mud Kitchen

  • Climbing Spiderweb

  • Treehouse

  • Water Pump

  • Suspended Log Crossing

  • Tire Tower & Swings

  • Plank Bridge & Play Ship

  • and more!

Grandfriends

Our Grandfriends Program brings children and seniors in our community together to share meaningful experiences and build lasting connections. Through activities such as reading, dancing, building, and baking, children and seniors learn from one another, form special friendships, and create cherished memories across generations.

Click Here for 2027-2028 Rates & Online Registration

Want to learn more? Email Nursery School Director Ronnie Becher and Assistant Director Shery Rosenstein at nursery@bethelnr.org or 914-235-2700, ext. 250.

Many of our families also enjoy Beth El Day Camp, our summer program for children in Westchester. Click here for more information.