Gan Yeladim 

Gan Yeladim is a Jewish Early Childhood program for children ages 2 to 5. We offer both half-day and full day programs.

Philosophy

Gan Yeladim places emphasis on understanding and meeting the varied needs of the young child in a warm, nurturing, Jewish environment that fosters trust and positive self-esteem.  Recognition is given to the level of development of each child, physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually.  We understand that positive, developmentally appropriate learning in each of these areas is of the utmost importance.  We believe children learn best through guided play and experiential, hands-on activities, including music, art, literacy, math, science and creative drama. We place high priority on parent and family communication and involvement. We believe this partnership is essential to the care and well-being of your child.

Judaism in our school is integrated into the overall curriculum.   We teach Jewish holidays, Shabbat, Hebrew, and prayer. Teaching and living Jewish values is an integral part of our curriculum.

Program

THE HALF-DAY PROGRAM

Our half-day program is offered from 9:30 to 12:00 3, 4 or 5 mornings a week.  The daily routine is divided between free play and teacher directed activities.  During free play children choose their own activities from among the various activity areas in the room.  They explore play in small groups under the supervision and guidance of trained early childhood teachers.  Choices include paint, blocks, art materials, table toys, games and puzzles to enhance math and literacy skills. Also available during this time are large wooded building blocks and choices for dramatic play such as the housekeeping corner, a kitchen and dress-up clothes.  The children have the opportunity to strengthen their social, imaginative, large and small motor skills and language and cognitive skills. 

Teacher directed activities include discussions, stories, story dictation, prayer, songs, games and craft activities.

We have a large, well equipped, fenced-in yard for outdoor play.  The yard has play houses, a large sandbox, climbers, slides and riding vehicles. Additionally there is an indoor gym room where the children engage in additional large motor activities.

A special class is available for children who turn five during the year but are unable to enter kindergarten because they missed the September 1 deadline. The class accommodates the higher level skills and abilities of these children.. 

The following classes are available from 9:30 to 12:00 and are available 3, 4 or 5 days a week:

• Two year old classes
• Three year old classes
• Four year old classes
• Older four and young five year old class for children turning 5 after Sept. 1

THE DAYCARE PROGRAM

All children in our half day program may also be in early morning and afternoon daycare two to five days a week.

We open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. If children arrive before 9:00 a.m. they are brought to our “breakfast room” for breakfast and supervised play.  From 9:00 to 12:00 children are in their age-alike morning Gan Yeladim classes.  At 12:00 the half day children leave and the daycare children remain for a hot kosher lunch, nap and afternoon play.  The two and three year olds remain in the same room the entire day.  The four year olds may switch classrooms at noon. Both half and full day children enjoy the same programming in the mornings.

The most important component of the program is the “tender loving care” that is given to each child, along with special attention to individual needs.  Our teacher-child ratio is low so we can meet the needs of all the children.  We strive to create a loving, warm, safe “home away from home”.  In addition to lunch and rest time, children will do craft projects, play outside, hear stories and have ample opportunity for supervised play. We maintain close communication with parents to ensure a good partnership between home and school.

Our daycare program is open year round with the exception of Jewish and national holidays.

THE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

We offer a full program of afternoon enrichment classes, including art, music, drama, explorers, Hebrew, Spanish and cooking. These classes provide opportunity for the older children to explore specific areas of interest and extend their knowledge and skills.

THE SUMMER PROGRAM

Our summer program operates for 8 weeks, from the last two weeks of June through the first 2 weeks of August. The program is specifically designed to meet the needs of children who are ready for organized activities for part, but not all, of a summer day. We maintain the same educational philosophy and standards which guide our programs throughout the rest of the year.

Most of our activities are conducted outdoors.  We use water tables and sprinklers as well as other forms of water play. Our classrooms are air conditioned.  Our weeks are divided by themes such as animals, space travel and community helpers.

The following program choices are available:

• 9:30 to 12:00 for two and three year olds, 3-5 days a week
• 9:30 to 1:00 for four and five year olds, 3-5 days a week.  This program includes lunch.

ADDITIONAL CHILD CARE OPTIONS

We offer the following options for additional child care:

• Children may be dropped off in our “breakfast room” as early as 7:30.  They will receive breakfast and supervised play.  There is a $5 an hour charge for this service.  Payment is  pay-as-you-go. Advance registration is not necessary.
• Three and four year olds who come half day have the option of bringing lunch from home (dairy or pareve) and staying an additional hour for lunch and supervised play. This is done on a day to day basis. The is $5 a day.

OUR FACULTY

Our Gan Director: We are proud to have Betsy Rotberg as our Gan Director, Leading us in our goal of an exciting and inspiring Early Jewish Education for all children. Betsy has been involved with our Gan for over 25 years, as teacher, assistant director, and director. She has a masters degree in Social Work, and
many hours of training in Early Childhood Education.

AFFILIATIONS AND STAFFING

Our program operates under the licensure of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the supervision of the Community Foundation for Jewish Education of Chicago and the Religious Education Committee of EHNTJC.  We are also accredited by the Chicago Jewish Federation Jewish Accreditation program. This accreditation process ensures that we meet the highest standards for Jewish Early Childhood Education. Our teachers are trained, certified early childhood professionals. Our teacher-child ratio is low.