Early Childhood

The Bernard Zell Early Childhood program lays the foundation for lifelong learning in a nurturing, play-based, Reggio-inspired environment.

Our focus on developmentally appropriate practice offers children the opportunity to develop their creativity and critical thinking in an engaging and joyful environment.

Our classrooms are safe places where students feel comfortable taking risks and delving into topics that are meaningful and of interest to them. Emotionally responsive teachers spend time observing student engagement and conversations and use this information to provide opportunities to help deepen children's understandings and test their hypotheses. We emphasize foundational learning, both intellectual and social-emotional, that will be the building blocks of each student’s educational experience at Bernard Zell.

Judaism is a fundamental part of our program, as it is for all Bernard Zell classes. We help children build a positive identity by threading Jewish values, lessons and spoken word throughout their experience. These include the ideas of Gemilut Chasadim (acts of kindness) and Kavod (respect and appreciation for others and gratitude for what we have).The entirety of our Early Childhood program takes place in classrooms meant to inspire and to be an extension of your homes with an emphasis on natural materials, a sense of tranquility and calm, and the ongoing involvement of the family of every child.Throughout their time in our Early Childhood program, our students are finding ways to interpret the experiences of their own lives.

Warmly, 

Abby Aloni
Head of Early Childhood
aaloni@bernardzell.org