Temple Sinai Early Childhood Education Program
Click here for class offerings and registration policies for the 2024-2025 school year.
Priority registration for Temple Sinai members begins December 18, 2023.
Open Registration begins January 3, 2024.
Contact Amy Damast, Ph.D., Director of Early Childhood Education & Family Engagement for more information or to schedule a tour. Phone: 908-273-4921 x131
Early Childhood Offerings
The Early Childhood Education Program offers drop off classes for children ages 18 months-5 years.
- Toddler & Me for children age 12 to 28 months and an adult caregiver, Wednesday morning, 9:15-10:30am
- Toddlers Together for children age 2 by 4/1/23 (Two mornings per week) 9am-11am
- 2s class for children age 2 by 10/1/22 (3, 4 and 5 day options) 9am-12pm
- 3s class for children age 3 by 10/1/22 (4 and 5 day options) 9am-1:00 pm or 2:30 pm
- 4s class for children age 4 by 10/1/22 (5 day options) 9am-1:00 pm or 2:30 pm
Toddler & Me
We are excited to announce the Winter-Spring session of our Toddler & Me (toddler-caregiver) program for children ages 12 - 28 months with an adult caregiver. This 15-week toddler-caregiver class introduces children to a day in the life of a preschooler. This includes art, sensory and exploratory fine motor play, snack, books, songs and movement. Experiences will vary each week, and a familiar routine will be established.
The class is scheduled for Wednesday mornings from 9:15 - 10:30am, beginning on January 31, 2024. It will take place in one of our early childhood classrooms and is taught by an experience early childhood educator.
The Winter - Spring Toddler and Me class is full. Contact Amy Damast to be added to the waitlist.
Our Philosophy
At Temple Sinai’s Early Childhood Education Program, we understand that children are born with the curiosity, ability, and desire to learn about their world and the people in it. Our job as educators is to create opportunities for children to explore and learn in safe and developmentally appropriate environments. We believe in the importance of children’s engaging with peers, teachers, and classroom materials in ways that meet the needs and pace of each individual child. Our students are supported in all areas of their development -- cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and language. Our teachers model critical life skills, including the social/communicative skills necessary to succeed in everyday social interactions. They also create classroom environments that encourage children to become thinkers and problem-solvers and to guide their own learning experiences. Finally, the ECEP supports young children and their families in beginning their Jewish journey together, with friends, and with their community.
The mission of Temple Sinai’s Early Childhood Education Program is to:
- provide genuine, safe, and exciting new experiences for young children and their families;
- promote positive self-esteem and a strong sense of Jewish identity;
- foster lifelong friendships within our nurturing community;
- create an active and interactive learning environment for children, parents, and staff;
- inspire creativity, imagination, and love of learning in every child;
- celebrate our world and its diversity; and,
- support children in their natural development from “me” to “we.”
Our Belief Statement
We believe that . . .
- early childhood education is the foundation of learning to learn and is fundamental to a child’s development and future success. We observe and document the children’s words and actions to incorporate into our emerging curriculum. This allows us to scaffold each child to develop the necessary skills for success in the future.
- children are unique and learn in their own ways, with each child making an important contribution to the learning environment. Each child wants to be their own best. We create a learning environment where children are encouraged to explore a variety of materials in open-ended ways using all of their senses. We strive to meet each child where they are and provide the necessary tools to enhance their growth.
- our role as educators is to support the social-emotional, creative and intellectual development of our students and to instill a love of learning that begins in early childhood. We provide a safe and trusting space where children can feel confident to try new things and meet their own success. In this space, children guide us toward learning experiences that interest and inspire them.
- parents deserve a school environment where they can trust that both they and their children are respected for who they are. We embrace the uniqueness that each family brings to our community. We provide open and clear communication that allows families to partner in their children’s education and development both inside and outside the classroom.
- our teaching staff shares the common goal of success for our students, our families, and our school community. This comradery and support is visible through the collaboration among teachers and with families as we celebrate the big and small moments in the children’s lives.
- through our expertise, our dedication and our practice, we can make a difference in the lives of children and their families.
ECEP in Action
