Below you’ll find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our preschool.
Have additional questions? Reach out to us at preschool@pjcc.org and we’ll be happy to help!
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Curriculum and Vision │ General Questions │ Enrollment Process │ Teachers
Our preschool offers a play-based, child-centered, learning environment. Our educational philosophy is guided by the belief that children learn best through play and hands-on experiences that nurture curiosity and a life-long love of learning. Our curriculum is intentionally developed through direct observation of student’s interests, ideas and individual needs. We emphasize the importance of relationships, social development and community building.
This vision for the PJCC Preschool was written by stakeholders in the PJCC Preschool, including Preschool leadership, parents, alumni parents, teachers, and Center Executive Leadership. Together in partnership we thought deeply about the vision of our school and how we want the school to continue to grow.
Our Community
Our PJCC Preschool strives to be a diverse, caring community that creates enduring relationships for children and their families. We aspire to express respect and gratitude for each other openly and lovingly, as well as to the world at large. Together we will build a supportive community that provides a nurturing environment in which families with young children will flourish.
Our Children
We will honor the children’s curiosity by showing respect for each individual child’s learning process. We strive to learn from the children and follow their lead. Our goal is to provide space for children to reflect on their learning.
Our Teachers
We seek to attract and cultivate the highest caliber of educators. Our teachers aim to be joyful, reflective life-long learners and dedicated facilitators of community. We strive to support our teachers on their learning journeys. As educators they will aspire to create learning environments where children and adults are encouraged to be authentic and share their voices.
Our Jewish Heritage
Judaism is the fabric of our community. We endeavor to make Jewish life come alive for our children and families through values, traditions and celebrations. We work to ensure that our community is rooted in Jewish culture, including being deeply committed to Hachnassat Or’chim—Welcoming All.
No, The PJCC Preschool is deeply committed to the value of Hachnassat Or’chim—Welcoming All. We have an inclusive community that celebrates the strength of diversity. Our Preschool welcomes children and families from all faiths and backgrounds.
We are not a religious preschool; however, we are a culturally Jewish school. Our Jewish cultural programming is an important component of our school, and we believe that our celebration of the values of justice, repairing the world, and community are universal.
In addition to the classroom curriculum, our children receive P.E. (Physical Education) and music classes once a week, in addition to enjoying lots of outdoor play and exploration. We also offer many opportunities for families to connect throughout the year through Jewish holiday celebrations (virtually for now) and other family programs.
No. Regardless of age, a child does not need to be potty-trained. We do not think it is developmentally appropriate to expect a child to be potty-trained by a certain age and forcing them into this can often have negative results. When your child shows signs of readiness and interest, our teachers will work with you on potty-training.
All of our instruction is in English. The children will learn a few Hebrew words, phrases, and songs, but there is no formal instruction in any language other than English.
The PJCC Preschool is licensed through State of California through Community Care Licensing (Preschool License #414000829, Infant License #414005013).
K’ton ton (2’s): 1 adult to 6 children. Maximum of 12 children with at least 2 teachers in a classroom.
Keshet (3’s): 1 adult to 7 children. Maximum of 14 children with at least 2 teachers in a classroom.
Kee Tov (4’s): 1 adult to 8 children. Maximum of 16 children with at least 2 teachers in a classroom.
The PJCC Preschool provides a mid-morning snack for all children and an afternoon snack for children in programs longer than 4 hours. Families provide the child’s lunch.
Every classroom’s schedule is different. This is a sample of a classroom schedule for an 9:00 am–5:00 pm program.
9:00 am–1:00 pm
Welcome and Classroom Exploration
Snack Time
Outdoor Play
Classroom Project / P.E. on Mondays
Circle Time
Lunch
Classroom Exploration / Music on Thursdays
Closing Circle
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Nap (all children under the age of 3 nap until 2:45 pm)
or
Rest until 2:00 pm; then,
Quiet classroom activity until 3:00 pm
3:00 pm–5:00 pm
Snack Time
Outdoor Play
Classroom Exploration
Closing Circle Time
Transitioning from home to school can be difficult for young children. Help your child by establishing a routine so they know what to expect and can successfully integrate into the classroom each day. We encourage parents to give a big smile, hugs, kisses, and remind your child who is picking them up. Your confidence will help your child to feel more secure. Maintaining a consistent routine is key to avoiding separation anxiety. Teachers are prepared and trained to provide extra support for children (and parents) who may need it.
Discipline is an ongoing process embedded in the child’s experience and relationships. We embrace the definition of “discipline” as meaning “to teach.” The primary focus for teachers is to support young children’s self-image as capable of self-control, verbal problem-solving, and responding to others with kindness and empathy. All human beings want to feel respect and self-worth and have a sense of belonging. At our preschool, we do not punish children, we educate children. By honoring their interests and needs, we know this will enable them to become capable, responsible, successful adults. It is possible that some children may exhibit consistent negative behaviors that are detrimental to the ongoing safety and security of the children in the program. Such situations will be handled discreetly, with compassion, and in partnership with the family.
Review our calendar and schedule your personal tour of the PJCC Preschool here. Visit a classroom, see our beautiful campus, and have one-on-one time to ask questions specific to your family’s preschool journey.
Please email preschool@pjcc.org for any further information / questions.
The first step is to fill out an application on our website. Once your application is submitted, your child is automatically on our waitlist. When a space is available you will be notified by phone or email. Notifications for the upcoming school year will be sent out in early March. Spaces for the current school year will be offered only when a space becomes available. Filling out an application does not guarantee your child a space.
Yes, the only way to get on our waitlist to be offered a space is to complete an application and pay the one-time, non-refundable application fee.
In the State of California, a child must be 5 years old on or before September 1 to enroll in Kindergarten. Because we want children to attend preschool with the same children they will be attending Kindergarten with, a child must be:
4 years old by September 1 for Kee Tov (Pre-K/TK)
3 years old by September 1 for Keshet
2 years old by September 1 for K’ton ton
We never give out waitlist numbers because it is a weighted list. Priority is given to Center Members of the PJCC, siblings of current and former PJCC Preschoolers, and siblings of Treehouse and Wornick Jewish Day School students, amongst others. Available spaces are then offered to the public based on the date of application.
When creating classroom communities, we consider many factors. For returning preschoolers, one of the primary factors we incorporate is the recommendation from your child’s previous teacher. For all children, we also consider child’s age and development, gender, length of day, classroom capacity and finally, parent requests. Each child is considered individually when placed with teachers and with a group of peers. A great deal of time and thought goes into placing each child in what we believe to be the optimal learning and social environment. One of our primary goals for all children in our program is for them to grow socially and learn to develop new friendships so all children are in classes with new friends every year.
There is a 4% discount for families that have siblings enrolled in the PJCC Preschool or the PJCC Preschool and Treehouse afterschool program concurrently. Families who are Center Members and also have a child enrolled in the preschool receive a discount on their Center membership. Families who are offered a space are welcome to apply for need-based financial assistance when they are offered a contract.
We are pleased to provide lunches through School Foodies, with a wide variety of flavorful, nutritional choices to fuel their growing bodies and minds.
School Foodies offers 6-8 daily choices, including cafeteria favorites and vegetarian and vegan options. Fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables are included with all meals. Meals are prepared fresh each morning to ensure the highest quality and taste.
Meals are made in a nut-free service and facility; no menu items contain nuts. Most meals can be customized to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and more. Most meats and dairy are hormone and antibiotic free. Trays are certified compostable by all Bay Area composting facilities (no PLA lining).
Pricing is offered on a monthly basis.
Current Preschool parents: Please inquire with PJCC Preschool staff if you have further questions about ordering School Foodies lunches for your child.
All our teachers meet the requirements set by the State of California. These requirements include education and health requirements for people working with young children. Some of our teachers also have Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education. All our teachers are CPR and First Aid certified and have passed F.B.I. and Department of Justice background checks. Our staff is chosen for their enthusiasm, loving attitudes, skill in working with children and attention to safety.
Yes, we are passionate about professional development. Our teachers are life-long learners. We spend a full week before school begins focusing on professional development. There are also two full days and several evenings of professional development throughout the year. Additionally, we are proud to support our teachers’ continuing education courses in early childhood development.
Most of our teachers have been with the PJCC Preschool for over 10 years. While there is the occasional change of staff due to life changes (moving, retirement, etc.), we are proud of the consistency and commitment of our staff. One teacher recently taught the child of a preschooler she had taught when back he was a preschooler 20+ years ago!
All our teachers have professional email accounts and primarily communicate with parents that way. Weekly classroom updates are sent out through Kaymbu (our digital communication platform). There are two parent-teacher conferences scheduled throughout the year. If a more individualized meeting needs to be arranged, that is always possible as well.
