Osher Marin Jewish Community Center

Ethical Start

Our award-winning early childhood education center provides children with a safe, nurturing environment to grow and learn as unique individuals . More than just a preschool, we are a supportive community of families deeply influenced by the wisdom of Jewish tradition.

For more information, please contact Early Childhood Education Services at (415) 444-8046.

Our Vision Statement
At the Osher Marin JCC, early childhood educatiors and families are on a journey to create a program of excellence. We work in partnership to build trusting relationships that support a diverse community and embrace each child's individuality, creativity, and potential. Jewish traditions and values inspire everyday learning, and children and their families form connections to Jewish life that grow and develop on the path of life-long learning. Wonder and curiosity fill the environment - a sacred place of intentionality where teachers and children collaborate to explore "big questions." Our dedicated teachers spark a love for learning while each child finds and develops his/her greatest potential. As a community, we develop an understanding and acceptance of one another and our place in the world as we make our way through our journey in life.

Our Two Sites & Team Of Educators

Osher Marin JCC Preschool
on the Osher Marin JCC ’s campus in San Rafael
200 N. San Pedro Rd.
Founded in 1956 and rebuilt in 1991, our modern, spacious facility offers: eight intentionally designed classrooms with natural lighting, dedicated art studio and kitchen; access to the Osher Marin JCC ’s gym, theater, fitness studios, indoor pool, and children’s wading pool during warm weather months; fenced, outdoor playscapes equipped with natural and age appropriate equipment adjacent to each room; and adjacent to Marin’s open space for nature walks and
explorations into our natural environment.

Southern Marin Jewish Community Preschool
on Congregation Kol Shofar’s campus in Tiburon
215 Blackfield Dr. in Tiburon (as of Sept. 2010) a collaborative program created by the Osher Marin JCC and Congregation Kol Shofar, the preschool is an extension of the Osher Marin JCC ’s ECE department. It is founded on the tradition of excellence in Jewish early childhood education and enriched by the natural and spiritual environment of Congregation Kol Shofar. The 2010/11 classes will be the first to enjoy the newly renovated classrooms and campus.

Team of Educators:
The success of our programs is due to the professional guidance and dedication of our teachers, directors and staff. Our exceptionally qualified and experienced teachers understand child development and have a deep respect for each child’s unique attributes. We take great pride in hiring early childhood education professionals who are warm and caring people, who nurture and inspire, and who appreciate that children have an insatiable desire to learn. Our award-winning
teachers are recognized and celebrated in their field locally and nationally. In order to stay on the cutting edge of early childhood education, we encourage our faculty to continue their professional development through classes, workshops, conferences, and on-going learning.

Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is built on the foundation of our image of the child as a competent and capable individual with the potential to construct his or her own knowledge about the world in which we live and inspired by the philosophy and educational practices of the schools in reggio emilia, Italy. We are guided by developmentally appropriate practice and believe that it is through the passionate pursuit of play that children focus on their interests and make meaning of the world.
Constructivism and emergent curriculum, together with Jewish values, provide the core principles of our approach to early childhood education. Constructivism asserts that children create knowledge and internalize values as a result of interacting with their physical and social world. Emergent curriculum builds on the interests of the children through sustained project work coupled with the teachers’ role as a guide and researcher and based on a deep knowledge of child development. Literacy, science and mathematical concepts are woven into the natural work of the classroom. Jewish values include concepts of respect, honoring others and taking care of our community and the environment. We reflect Jewish culture by organically integrating values, traditions and customs into the curriculum through music, language, literature, expressive arts, cooking, dance, and play.

An Ethical Start & JECEI

An Ethical Start® is a values-based curriculum designed for JCC preschools to teach Jewish ethics to young children and supports families in bringing these values into their homes. as one
of the original pilot sites for an Ethical Start®, our school weaves universal values and Jewish traditions into all aspects of our program through the language of Pirkei avot (ethics of ancestors), integrating wisdom of our sages into our common language. As an example...By creating vessels to hold their important attributes, children discover what is inside their hearts that makes them unique and caring individuals. Our values, lenses, and the wisdom of our past help guide us to continue on our journey of learning and self discovery to help create caring, compassionate individuals with an insatiable quest as life-long learners.

JECEI
Our school was honored to be selected in the first cohort of schools to participate in the national Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative (JECEI), founded to transform Jewish ECE to create the highest quality education programs steeped in Jewish values and to generate model schools of excellence across the country. We are currently continuing on our JECEI journey along with 21 other schools nationally.

Gan Katan

Programs for Children ages 24 months to entering Preschool

Nitzanim, Toddler Play Group & Keshet
For a child's first experience in a group setting, our toddler programs offer a nurturingenvironment for children to grow and explore. Our goal is to expand children's horizons by providing developmentally appropriate, creative and social learning experiences that lay the foundation for each child's educational journey. There is a strong focus on developing independence skills. Children enrolled in the toddler program need not be out of diapers.

Activities include:

Dramatic and creative play
Celebration of Jewish holidays and traditions
Exploration of art and tactile materials
Music and storytelling
Language development
Indoor and outdoor playtime with gross motor play
Shabbat celebrations

Nitzanim (Full-Day)
Age 2 years- 3 1/2 years

Emphasis is on providing experiences closely related to home life with a positive introduction to beginning social interactions, Jewish customs and tradition. We create a safe, nurturing, yet stimulating environment for toddlers. Our professional teachers are chosen for their warmth and knowledge of child development. Full-day program; schedules are available from two to five days per week from 7:30am -6pm.

Toddler Play Group
Age 2 years by Sept. 1 of each school year
Tues. & Thurs. 9:15-11:45 am.

For the youngest children in our school, Toddler Play Group (TPG) provides an early introduction to a preschool environment. Language emerges during this critical year of development

Keshet
Age 2-1/2 years by Sept. 1 of each school year
Mon., Wed. & Fri. 9:15am-12:30 pm.

An expanded version of Toddler Play Group for children who will be at least 2-1/2 years of age by September. Designed for older toddlers/younger preschoolers who are ready for a longer program than Toddler Play Group – but not yet ready for preschool – Keshet has a play-based curriculum with age-tailored challenges.

Preschool Program

A comprehensive educational program for children who turn 3 before Oct. 31, as well as classes for 4- and 5-year-olds. We provide opportunities for children to develop as special and valued individuals and to acquire group skills.

Our curriculum provides a wide variety of opportunities for children to explore, discover and learn about Jewish traditions and culture in a child-centered setting.

We offer excellent teacher-child ratios, half-day, full-day and extended care options, and an award-winning Judaic curriculum designed by experienced staff. Enrichment includes storytelling, music, movement and gymnastics.

A camp program for preschoolers is offered during winter and spring breaks as well as during the summer months.

Registration

How to Apply
Full-time Toddler Program
(Nitzanim)

We accept applications to the waiting list througout the year for this year-round program. You may choose to enroll your child two to five days a week based on space available. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Preschool & Part-time Toddler Programs
(Toddler Play Group, Keshet, Aleph, Beyt & Gimel)

Enrollment for the school year is from September to June.
Applications are accepted beginning in January for the following school year:

Early January: Continuing students & legacy families
Mid-January: JCC members
Late January: General public

For new applicants, once you fill out an appliation, you may call within a week and we will let you know your enrollment status. The first enrollment contracts are sent in March and continue until all spaces are filled.

Please consider you child's needs carefully before submitting your tuition agreement as we require parents to be financially responsible for the schedule in the contract.

We require that parents pay in full or through a monthly automatic bank draft.

We require a minimum of 30 days written notice to change or withdraw from the program.

We require a JCC Family membership for the duration of the time your child is enrolled in our preschool and full-time programs.

Please call the ECE office at 415- 444-8046 for current information on enrollment and waiting lists.

license #213001117

Click Here to Download the ECE 2010-2011 Enrollment Brochure

Click Here to Download the JCC 2010-2011 Enrollment Form

New Southern Marin Jewish Preschool

The Southern Marin Jewish Community Preschool is a collaboration between the Osher Marin JCC and Congregation Kol Shofar to provide a quality Jewish early childhood program in southern Marin county. Established in 2007 with a grant from the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, the preschool is located at Congregation Kol Shofar.

Due to renovations at Kol Shofar, our school will temporarily relocate, along with Kol Shofar’s staff, to an interim site in February 2008. We will remain there until the summer of 2010 when we move back to Tiburon. The interim site address is 150 Lovell, San Rafael, CA 94901.

With programs for children ages of two to three currently and adding a class per year to serve children up to five years of age, our preschool reflects the JCC’s commitment to excellence in Jewish early childhood education and Kol Shofar community’s spiritual, and social values. The curriculum merges the philosophy and practices of the Marin JCC Early Childhood Education Center with Kol Shofar’s open grounds and natural setting.

For more information please call (415) 444 8046 or (415) 388 1409.

California State Community Care Licensing Permit # 214005072

Click Here to Download the ECE 2010-2011 Enrollment Brochure

Click Here to Download the JCC and Southern Marin 2010-2011 Enrollment Form

Side By Side Playgroups (Yad b'Yad)

NEW! - Baby Yad B' Yad
Birth-2 years with parent (siblings welcome)

Baby Yad B’Yad will provide an opportunity to meet other parents, learn about Jewish holidays and traditions, discuss parenting issues, and will include music, stories, puppets, bubbles, parachute and share a snack together.

Mimi Greisman M.A.Ed., is an Early childhood and family educator, and has over 20 years experience working with families and children.

Sausalito Rec. Center
420 Litho Street in Sausalito (see directions below)
Wednesdays,
Sept 9-Jan 14, 10-11:30am

Jan 19-June 2, 10-11:30am

Closed 11/25, 12/23, 12/30, 3/31, 5/19
$270/$324 (18 classes)

Ages 18 months-3 years (with parent)

This unique program introduces young ones to a preschool environment with their parent/caretaker at their side. Each class offers a balance of structured and unstructured activities as they learn to play cooperatively and independently.
Children encounter all the elements of a traditional preschool curriculum: art, language, music, movement, dramatic play, as well as Jewish holidays and traditions. A parenting book is included with registration for the Winter/Spring Session that provides topics for classroom discussions.

Three Convenient Locations:

Osher Marin JCC early childhood education building
Monday - Friday, year-round

Southern Marin Classes have been relocated while Congregation Kol Shofar is undergoing renovation.

MONDAY, TUESDAY & THURSDAY CLASSES are held at Sausalito Recreation Center located at 420 Litho Street in Sausalito.

Directions to Sausalito Recreation from Highway 101:

Exit @ Marin City/Sausalito
Turn LEFT onto Bridgeway Blvd
Turn RIGHT onto Bridgeway Blvd
Turn RIGHT onto Litho Street to 420 Litho Street

WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY CLASSES are held at the Davidson Middle School Annex located at 150 Lovell Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901 until new Winter/Spring session begins in 2010.

Directions to the Davidson Middle School Annex from Highway 101:

From 101 S:
Take the exit to exit toward 580 E. RICHMOND BRIDGE/FRANCISCO BLVD. (make sure to take the 2nd exit toward the Richmond bridge, then turn right from the off-ramp onto Bellam — do not continue onto the 580/Richmond bridge.)

Take the I-580 exit toward Francisco Blvd.
Turn right at Bellam (signs for Francisco Blvd.)
Turn Right on ANDERSEN DR.
Turn Left on IRWIN ST.
Turn Right on LOVELL AVE.
We are located across from Pace Supply.

From 101 N:
Take the ANDERSEN DRIVE exit, EXIT 451A.
Turn RIGHT onto ANDERSEN DR.
Turn LEFT onto IRWIN ST.
Turn RIGHT onto LOVELL AVE.

Click here to download our Yad b'Yad schedule Winter/Spring 2010

Summer Camp

We offer various summer camp programs in June through August. Applications for summer camp are available every year beginning in February. Click here for more information.