Learning - Nursery School | Summit Jewish Community Center

For more information about the Nursery School, contact Barbara Bearg, Early Childhood Director, 908-277-3919.

Want to register for the coming year?
See Registration Form link under "REGISTRATION" below.

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Enrollment in the Nursery School is open to all children, regardless of race, ethnic origin or religion. The School offers a variety of classes and programs for children between the ages of 16 months and 6 years.

The goal of the Summit Jewish Community Center Nursery School is to provide children with an environment that supports positive self-esteem and allows them to experience success while learning through play.

The curriculum focuses on the whole child, incorporating activities to nurture the social, physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects of a child's personality. In a relaxed and loving atmosphere, a flexible learning experience is provided through art, Judaic content, music, creative movement, reading readiness, computer, math, science, and language, permitting the children to learn and develop while having fun. In addition, the low student to teacher ratio fosters the children's development as individuals. Throughout the year, the curriculum is also enriched through field trips and visitors to the school.

The Nursery School has a staff of 12 head and assistant teachers with an average of 10 years' experience at the SJCC. Each class is led by a head teacher who is certified in Education. In addition, a number of teachers hold Masters Degrees in Early Childhood Education.

The Nursery School will offer the following yearlong classes and programs (for more information, please click on the name of the class below):

Any child who is age-appropriate for the class and toilet trained may participate in the Extended Programs, regardless of enrollment in a morning class.

Registration for the Nursery School is open to all persons whether or not they are members of the Summit Jewish Community Center. Registration for the 2011-2012 school year will begin with the Registration Lottery on Monday, January 10th, 2011 at 7:45 pm.

For more information about the Nursery School, please contact Barbara Bearg by e-mail or by phone at 908-277-3919.

This is a class for children who will be 2 years of age by September 30^th of the school year. This class will meet from 9:15 AM to 11:45 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please note that the first 2 class sessions are shortened to allow the children to adjust gradually. The School does not expect children in this class to be toilet trained. Consequently, children enrolled in the class are required to keep at least one diaper and a complete change of clothes at the Nursery School throughout the school year. All children will be taken to the bathroom during class hours. If a child is in the process of being toilet trained, the teachers will certainly support this effort.

This is a class for children who will be 2 1/2 years of age by September 30^th of the school year. The class will meet from 9:15 AM to 11:45 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please note that the first 2 sessions of both classes are shortened to allow the children to adjust gradually. We do not expect children in these classes to be toilet trained. Consequently, children enrolled in the class are required to keep at least one diaper and a complete change of clothes at the Nursery School throughout the year. All children will be taken to the bathroom during class hours. If a child is in the process of being toilet trained, the teachers will certainly support this effort.

This is a class for children who will be 3 years of age by September 30^th of the school year. The class will meet from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and children may be registered for 2, 3, 4 or 5 sessions per week depending upon the availability of space. Children in these classes are expected to be toilet trained.

This is a class for children who will be 4 years of age by September 30th of the school year. The class will meet from 9 AM to 12:00 PM, and children may be reigstered for 3, 4, or 5 sessions per week, depending upon availability of space. Children in this class must be toilet trained.

Offered in separate sessions, Learning Adventures has a morning class that is open to all children enrolled in 1/2-day kindergarten programs and an afternoon class that is open to all students who will be 5 years old by September 30^th, whether or not they are attending kindergarten. The class will meet Mondays through Thursdays from 8:45 AM to 11:30 AM or from 12:00 PM to 2:45 PM. Three- or 4-day options are available. This program is designed to enhance and enrich the regular kindergarten curriculum through the study of various integrated themes.

This class is especially designed for for children who will be 16 to 23 months old by September 30^th of the school year, and will be accompanied by their parents or caregivers. The class meets on Mondays from 11:45 AM to to 1:00 PM.* Participants will share social activities, playtime, arts and crafts, songs, and stories. Each session includes a parenting discussion. Children eat lunch brought from home, and have the opportunity to experience Nursery School routines under the guidance of a Nursery School teacher.

*We also offer an abbreviated option . Please call Barbara Bearg, Nursery School Director, for more information at 908-277-3919.

This dynamic, fun-filled class concentrates on building positive self-image through physical activity. Your child will learn a variety of sports on a rotating basis. Activities include baseball, football, socce, basketball, hockey, bowling and tennis, all using equipment appropriate for your child. In addition, children will enjoy parachute play, hula hoops, jump ropes, scooters and other fun games designed to build confidence, coordination and skill. This class will be held on Mondays from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.

Led by a master storyteller, students will be transported to a farm, travel through space, chase a Gingerbread man, go back to the days of princes and princesses, hunt for bears and much more...all without leaving the classroom! These role playing activities increase and expand students' language skills and build self esteem, all in a nurturing and fun environment. This class meets on Tuesdays from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

This class utilizes the Weekly Reader magazine for 3-year-olds and Jr. Scholastic Magazine for 4-year-olds in conjunction with various activities to expand the children's imagination. The children will translate concepts from the session's reading into science experiments, arts and crafts, and language experiences. This class is designed to enhance language development, hand-eye coordination, attention span, and listening skills. The 3-year-old class will meet on Thursdays from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM and the 4-year-old class will meet on Tuesdays from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

On some Fridays the children will visit various destinations using different media and on some Fridays they will create edible delights related to the trip. This class will be held on Fridays from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

Children are involved in preparing gourmet treats by chopping, mixing, stirring, and beating. Through the hands-on cooking experience, the children learn science, math, and language concepts. Children are also introduced to good nutritional habits and new taste sensations. This class meets on Wednesdays from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

This offering combines the areas of math and drama in a unique course. The math classes integrate games with number readiness skills, while the drama classes incorporate pantomime, body awareness, dress-up play, storytelling, and puppetry. This class will meet on Wednesdays from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

At the beginning of each session, a specially selected story will be read to the children. They will then translate concepts and themes from the story into art, drama and other interpretive activities. The class is designed to enhance students' listening and comprehension skills in preparation for kindergarten. This class will be held on Fridays from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.

Children will develop their creative side using multiple media, such as finger paint, glue, silly putty, Play Dough, and puff paint. The work of famous artists will be highlighted at various points throughout the year. Children will have the opportunity to create projects in the style of Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Mondrian, Pollack and others. Creating art with recycled material will also be featured in this class. This class meets on Wednesdays from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.

This class will help children obtain both physical and emotional balance by teaching body awareness and self-acceptance, boosting self-esteem and confidence, developing strong and flexible bodies, strengthening motor skills, coordination, and improving concentration. Basic yoga poses and principles will be introduced through song, dance, and movement in a fun and safe environment. This class meets on Thursdays from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM.

Extend Your Fun is a structured extended-care program. Any child who is 3 years old or turns
3 during the school year and is toilet trained may participate in this program, regardless of enrollment in a morning class.


67 Kent Place Boulevard, Summit, NJ 07901 office@summitjcc.org (908) 273-8130