Pre School

A child-centered program for 3, 4 & 5 year olds!
Every child brings to early childhood education experience, thoughts, knowledge and skills that they have developed within their family and culture. The Pre-school program outside the child's home life has a fundamental purpose towards laying the foundation for successful future learning. ‘Getting it right ‘ at this vital stage is greatly considered at Solomon Schechter Academy's pre-school.

Our goal is to provide learning experiences in a child-oriented setting. We seek to partner with our families so that together we can build a strong academic and social foundation for each child's future. We strive to help all our preschool students build their confidence, problem-solving skills, independence, and self-esteem. Our child centered approach is based on relationships and what children are interested in. Investigative work transpires within and outside the classroom environment with guidance, facilitation and respect by the teachers. Children are provided with a warm, carefully arranged atmosphere and are presented with broad choices of ways to express themselves and relate to the world around them.

From the Director
Randy Bass Mendel is the Director of our Early Childhood Department. Randy is a graduate of McGill University where she received her undergraduate degree in Education and is currently working towards a degree in Educational Leadership at McGill.

She began her career at Solomon Schechter Academy, first as a student teacher, then as assistant, and subsequently as an English teacher for kindergarten, grade one, and grade three. After starting her family, she began teaching Pre-k at the Snowdon YMHA where she has been for the last eight years. Her approach to Early Childhood Education is well respected throughout our community by parents and professionals alike. rmendel@solomonschechter.ca

Staff
Our outstanding preschool professionals are experienced and caring. They provide an atmosphere where children can learn to question, to explore, to grow and to build self-esteem. They help children gain an awareness of themselves as individuals and as members of our Jewish community, within a setting based on acceptance, respect, and caring. Our teachers regularly participate in professional development and attend workshops and seminars about current issues and methodologies exclusive to the early childhood community. Each class consists of one teacher and an assistant. A rover assistant is additionally available to all classes during the day.

Teachers

• Elie Parker
• Ashley Malet
• Judy Burko Brown
• Lesley Sherman
• Randy Mendel

Facility
Our Pre-school is located only a block away from the main building of Solomon Schechter. Our beautiful well-equipped location is a safe, fun, and nurturing environment. The bright welcoming classrooms stimulate learning, exploration, and play.

A full kitchen, atelier (workshop), and lending library are only some of the added features that we take pleasure in each day.

Program
Our program offers a fun, nurturing environment where your child can learn and discover through developmentally appropriate activities. We strive to enhance each child's growth in all major areas of development: social, emotional, physical, language, and intellectual.

Our preschool curriculum provides academic readiness and also incorporates many expanded enrichment activities, such as art, music, fitness and creative movement. In addition, our pre-school children enjoy literacy development through a balanced program that includes documentation of learning (portfolios), story telling and reading, creation of class books and researching topics of interest. They begin to learn about probability, charting, measurement, combining sets and problem solving. They learn to ask probing questions and search for details that support their theories. They are exposed to an appreciation of diversity and a beginning understanding of Judaism. Computers, French and Hebrew offer new challenges. Resources and special guests broaden the children’s horizons while social, physical and cognitive development all occur on a daily basis!