Early Childhood Center

Fall Camp begins soon. Click  here for more information.

 

Temple Beth Am Early Childhood Center opened its doors in 1989. It has since grown to be one of the premier early childhood centers in Broward County, Florida. The staff of the Early Childhood Center continually strives to create unforgettable memories for the children. Their purpose is to provide the highest quality educational experience, being responsive to the individual needs of the total child in a creative, warm, nurturing, Jewish environment. The school has a Mommy and Me program for children 4-36 months and the school groups range from 12 months (walking) through Pre-K. The school has an indoor gymnasium housing the latest equipment, three state-of-the-art covered playgrounds, a media center housing eight computers, a listening center and a comprehensive early childhood library.  There are also many after school activities - KidoKinetics, Scientific Dynamic Discoveries, Beat Street Dance, Karate, etc. Some integral parts of the program include the Grandmother's Reading Group, Meet the Masters (classical composers and artists), Project Authors (children's bookmaking), Broadway Extravaganza, International Pen Pals, and more. Helen Bekerman has held the position of Early Childhood Director for 18 years. She holds a master's degree in early childhood education from the City College of New York. She taught in both public and private schools and had a private tutoring and consulting practice in New York City. As Mrs. Bekerman says "Knowing that today's children will lead tomorrow's world, my vision for the future of the school and it's children is 'it's just the beginning'."

A Message from the Early Childhood Director

I personally welcome you to the Rose and Jules Lustig Early Childhood Center of Temple Beth Am.  Our Purpose is to provide the highest quality educational experience, being responsive to the individualized needs of the total child and their family in a creative, warm, nurturing, Jewish environment.  We strive to establish an environment that is child-initiated and one that fosters a curiosity about the world around them.  We promote an atmosphere that encourages a child's discovery and exploration.  We offer children opportunities to become confident individuals by assisting them in refining and acquiring new skills.  The staff of the Early Childhood Center functions as an extension of your home treating each family and child with respect, and providing all of the children with individual attention and loving care.

Our program is based on the child's need for spontaneous, active play, and involves hands-on learning experiences.  Our learning center approach affords the child an opportunity to explore, discover and create with the optimum child teacher ratio.  The Rose & Jules Lustig ECC has received local as well as national recognition and is recipient of the coveted National and Regional Gold Solomon Schecter Award of Excellence in School and Camp programming, the Kidz Crown Award from South Florida Parenting as well as the Gold Seal Award from the Department of Children and Familes in Broward County every year since it's inception.  Our entire Temple Beth Am ECC family continually strives to make the beginning school experience a most positive one for our children and their entire family.  The decision to enroll your child in an educational program is not an easy one, nor one to be made lightly.  It is one that requires a great deal of thought and decision making.  The school you choose should be the one that you think offers your child the best opportunities for preschool years filled with the joy of learning, healthy self esteem and friendships to last a lifetime.  I invite you to visit Temple Beth Am ECC and discover why we are the premier preschool in Broward County.  Your child is precious and deserves the very best in their road to success, happiness and fulfillment of potential.  Let that road lead you to Temple Beth Am ECC.  "It's Just The Beginning..."

 

Philosophy & Goals

The primary goal of our Early Childhood Center program is to instill within each individual child a feeling of autonomy and a positive self-concept.  Our professional staff enhances our children's sense of wonderment and excitement toward the exploratory process of discovery and learning within the school setting.  Our aim is to foster a feeling of independence and a positive sense of self, while encouraging an awareness of the world and those around him/her and learning how to live positively as a member of the greater community.

We strive to provide opportunities for exploration, that enhance problem sovling, critical thinking and creative thinking skills.  All curriculum is presented by addressing each child's individual learning style.  Our children are provided opportunities that stimulate the senses recognizing that children learn through the sense of sight, hearing, touch, sense of taste and smell.  Our learning center approach allows the teacher and child a one-on-one opportunity to explore and interact.  Numerous and varied opportunities are presented for addressing both small and large muscle skills and enhancing coordination.

The social growth of the child is paramount, including respect for the rights of others and rules of living together.  Emphasis is placed upon human values and positive social interactons.  We provide a wide variety of age appropriate activities addresssing the curriculum areas of reading readiness, math readiness, literacy, science, nature, art, music movement, social studies, creative dramatics, Judaica, cooking, multi-media (computers), physical education, music literature, etc.  Each child is afforded the opportunity to identify with their Jewish heritage.  Our Judaic curriculum consists of conversational Hebrew language, values, Tzedakah, Holiday Music, Dance, Crafts, Cooking, Bible Stories, and Prayers.

We strive to develop within each child an active curiosity about the world around them and an enthusiasm for discovery and learning.  Our primary goal is to enhance the breadth and depth of your child's total development in a secure, positive, stimulating, warm supportive, accepting and loving family atmosphere.

 

Curriculum

Media Center/Computer Education: Computer Specialist, (State of the art computers, Listening Centers, comprehensive children's Library).  The Computer Specialist selects programs that enhance and extend content knowledge thereby enforcing, individualizing and enriching the entire school curriculum.

Physical Education:  Three state-of-the-art covered playgrounds.  We also have a gymnasium housing equipment to challenge, motivate, and guide our children through different stages of their physical development.  They will master skills and acquire good sportsmanship necessary for team and individual participation.

Music and Judaica:  Music and Judaica are major components of our curriculum.  We strive to instill in our children an understanding and love for the beauty of our Judaic Heritage.  Our Judaica curriculum consists of Hebrew Language, Holidays, Music, Dance, Crafts, Cooking, Bible Stories, Prayers, Shabbat dinners, Weekly Shabbat with our Rabbi and Cantor, Model Seders, Passover learning stations, Purim Parade/Carnival, etc.

Private Enrichment Classes:  We offer private dance (Hip Hop, Tap and Ballet), Kaeate, Science and Kidokinetics lessons.

 

"Mommy& Me"

Groups begin at 4 months of age.  A parent or care giver and child participation group.  Activities include Social Development, Art, Music, Creative Movement, Parenting Tips, Shabbat and Holiday Celebrations.

"Take Off"

Groups begin at 14-24 months.  Transitional program designed for the child's first encounter in a classroom setting.  This program offers a gradual adjustment to school and affords a comfortable separation from Mom and Dad.

 

"Toddling Two's"

Explorers - must be two by September 1st.  Pre-Nursery class designed to meet the needs of rovingt toddlers as they explore the world around them.

"Reaching Out"

Terrific Threes - must be three by September 1st, provides the child with learning experiences focused around selected themes and activities incorporating hands-on exploratory approach.

 

 

"Fantastic Fours"

Fascinating fours - must be September 1st.  Pre-Kindergarten preparation to facilitate the child's entry into a formal school program by strengthening the child's skills and building a health self image and a strong foundation for learning.  We are a VPK Provider.

 

Our VPK graduates attained a 196 out of a possible 200 score on their school assessment. Hurray!

 

Program Highlights

  • A warm, loving environment
  • Social and linguistic development
  • Reading readiness
  • Math readiness
  • Science
  • Listening skills
  • Auditory and visual memory and discrimination
  • Spatial relations
  • Sequencing
  • Mortimer Moose (Phonics Program)
  • Poetry
  • Family / School Intergration
  • Holiday Celebration & Experiences
  • Writing without Tears (Writing Program)
  • Journals
  • Student Portfolios
  • Documentation
  • 3 State-of-the-Art Covered Playgrounds
  • Basketball Court
  • Inground Pool
  • Comprehensive Children's Lending Library
  • Computer / Multi-Media Lab
  • Tactile development
  • Music
  • Classification
  • Physical development; large and fine motor
  • Creative dramatics
  • Rhythm and movement
  • Arts and crafts
  • Judaica
  • Introduction to Torah, Hebrew, Shabbat and Holidays
  • Artistic expression
  • Problem solving and critical thinking skills
  • Cooking / Baking

                                                                                    

Kamp Ketonim

Temple Beth  Am's Kamp Ketonim is definitely the place to be this summer! We offer an exciting camp program for ages 12 months (walking) thru 10 years of age, Mommy & Me classes, ages 4 months - 36 months, LIT (Leaders in Training) program for 11-15 year olds (LIT's  may elect service hours).  Camp hours are 9:00-3:00 with extended hours available 7:00-6:00.  We offer 9 weeks of camp beginning June 13th and ending August 12th.  Flexible schedules and weeks available. 

 

 

Kamp Program and Activities

Ages:  Mommy & Me Program, 12 months (walking) thru 10 yrs., LIT Program 11-15 yrs. 

We are exceedingly proud of our superior camp program and our entire summer staff of counselors.  Our campers and LITs will have use of all amenities, 3 state of the art playgrounds, air conditioned camp bunks, basketball court, in-ground heated pool and separate free standing youth building. Fun in the Sun, Camp Idol Show, Theme Weeks, Color War, Field Trips Ages Pre-K & Up, on Campus Visitors, Enrichments, Camp Clubs, Specials and much more!  Our campers will have loads of fun, establish lasting friendships and create wonderful summer memories.

LIT Program:  Our LIT program gets better each and every year while we polish our leadership skills, socialize, and just have all around fun in our very own free standing youth rec. complex. (LITs may elect to earn service hours for time spent with the kampers in their bunks).

 

 

Staff

All staff are certified, finger-printed and screened. Staff hold CDA's and/or Bachelor/Masters Degrees. Staff contiually hone their pedagogical skills through attendance at conventions, and availing themselves of numerous in-service opportunities. They also attend local institutions of higher learning.

 

 

Parent's Association

All parents of children enrolled in our school are automatically eligible for membership in our Parent's Association.  You will have an opportunity to meet other parents at our Parent's Association meetings scheduled throughout the year.  Evening events for our students such as Man in My Life Night, a Movie Night Pajama Party, and Character Evening are all planned with your child's interest in mind.  The Parent's Association is also focused on fundraising activities including our frequent Lobby Vendors, T-shirt sales, and family programming events.  All money raised by the PA is used directly for the benefit of the children and the enrichment of their preschool experience.  Make a difference in your child's life.  Join the Parent's Association, become involved, and help us make your child's year at Temple Beth Am Early Childhood Center some of the happiest years of their lives!!!

 

 

Membership Special

Temple Beth Am membership is offered free to families whose oldest child is enrolled in the ECC, Mommy & Me thru Pre-K.  Your family may not have been previous members of Temple Beth Am.  This is solely a one-time election per family and membership is subject to Synagogue by-laws.  In addition, families whose Pre-K child graduated from Temple Beth Am ECC are offered Temple Membership at a 50% discount and free tuition for Religious School-Sunday Kindergarten, Primary I and Primary II and as a 50% membership discount while the child attends Aleph.  The family will be required to contribute tothe growth Fund and membership is subject to Synagogue by-laws.

 

 

Calendar

Kamp Ketonim 2011

Session I Dates:   6/13/11, 6/17/11, 6/20/11 - 6/24/11, 6/27/11 - 7/1/11, Closed Fri. July 4th, 7/5/11 - 7/8/11, 7/11/11 - 7/15/11

Session II Dates:  7/18/11 - 7/22/11, 7/25/11 - 7/29/11, 8/1/11 - 8/5/11, 8/8/11 - 8/12/11

 

Photo Gallery                                        

Contact Us

For further information contact the Early Childhood Center office at 954/968-4545 Ext. 20.  Our offices are open Monday thru Friday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm.