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 4 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. 

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

  • 3-Day-2s – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 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 1/1/19 and 12/31/19 and is offered Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 3:00 pm (1:30pm dismissal on Fridays during the winter months for Shabbat). KinderBRIDGE is for children who would benefit from the gift of an additional school year before entering kindergarten. 

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

Toddler Time for children born in the year 2022. This program, facilitated by Beth El Nursery School teachers on Mondays from 9:30am – 10:45am, includes hands-on experiential learning, sensory activities, 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. Toddler Time will begin in mid-October.

Extended Hours

Depending on registration, we hope to provide before and after care for students enrolled in the 2023-24 school year. Please contact the nursery school office at nursery@bethelnr.org or 914-235-2700, ext. 250 for additional information.

Enrichment Programs

  • Cantor Gaby Schvartz and our Music Director, Jack Klebanow, sing with our children and introduce them to Shabbat and holiday music on a weekly basis
  • Debra Steiglitz leads all of our classes in Shirah, our weekly music program.
  • Coach Steve provides exciting gross motor activities and sports.
  • Emily Herzfeld offers age-appropriate yoga that delights our children.
  • Shmulik, known as the Pied Piper of Beth El, engages our 3 and 4-year-olds in Rikud, a Hebrew focused movement and drumming program.
  • Beth El Nursery School offers a State-of-the-Art STEAM Studio!

Professional Specialists

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. Ellen Weisberg, LCSW, 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. Ellen 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. 

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.