The Learning Center Preschool
The Learning Center is Temple Shir Shalom’s preschool that provides individualized, developmental, relationship-based Jewish education for families with children ages 2½ to 5 years old.
Click the links below to learn more:
Pillars of The Learning Center
Hours / Schedule | Tuition Information | Application Information | Parent Handbook
Family Programming | Summer Day Camp Information
Pillars of TLC
No Owner's Manual
No child comes with an owner's manual! Our Director, Marsha Mitnick, works closely with parents and their children. Understanding the developmental areas of the young child can make parenting an easier task.
Rabbi Relationships
Our rabbis know our families and children by more than just their first names. Every Friday we celebrate Shabbat with our rabbis. They know what our kids like to play because Rabbi Mike and Rabbi Daniel are just as playful!
Outdoor Learning
Gardening and nature are significant components in our curriculum. Healthy eating, movement and living things are concepts that come alive outside year-round.
Problem Solving
Preschoolers are learning how to follow rules, negotiate with friends and problem solve. At The Learning Center, we weave social skills and emotional learning through every facet of our program.
ABC's & 1,2,3's
By the time your child leaves The Learning Center, he or she has had every opportunity to be prepared for kindergarten. By approaching a child developmentally, we build the foundations for higher learning.
Child Safety
All staff are trained in CPR and First Aid. Every employee undergoes a criminal background check. Due to children’s allergies, we are a nut-free facility and offer gluten-free snacks for children who need them.
Community
There is a strong sense of community that builds from the very first day your child starts at The Learning Center. Our teachers instill it in the classroom and our parents connect at school and outside in the community.
Hours / Schedule
We offer both half- and full-day schedules two, three, four or five days a week.
Half Day: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Lunch Bunch: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM (students stay for the morning and lunch)
Full Day: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Before Care: Children can join us as early as 7:45 AM
After Care: Children can stay and play from 3:00 – 5:30 PM
*School hours and days available are subject to change.
Tuition Information for 2023-2024
| PROGRAM | TUITION (MEMBER / NON-MEMBER) |
|---|---|
| 2 Days | |
| Morning Program | $3,300 / $3,800 |
| Morning Program + Lunch Bunch | $4,180 / $4,780 |
| Full-day Program | $4,900 / $5,500 |
| 3 Days | |
| Morning Program | $4,500 / $5,200 |
| Morning Program + Lunch Bunch | $5,820 / $6,670 |
| Full-day Program | $6,850 / $7,500 |
| 4 Days | |
| Morning Program | $5,200 / $5,800 |
| Morning Program + Lunch Bunch | $6,960 / $7,760 |
| Full-day Program | $8,400 / $9,200 |
| 5 Days | |
| Morning Program | $5,850 / $6,500 |
| Morning Program + Lunch Bunch | $8,050 / $8,950 |
| Full-day Program | $9,800 / $11,000 |
Application Information
The Learning Center Preschool is offering tours for the 2024 - 2025 school year.
For more information about the program and to schedule a visit, please contact Marsha Mitnick.
Family Programming
At Temple Shir Shalom, family means everything! Preschool is as much for parents and family as it is for the children. At our preschool, we emphasize the role of family and the celebration of our lives from zero to a hundred! Throughout the year, we host many family-based activities and Jewish festivals, and we encourage parent involvement through parent education classes, classroom volunteering, Moms, Dads and Grandparent Day.
Join us for our upcoming events! Learn more here.
Join us this summer for sun-filled, friendship building days as our "green generation" children learn about nature, Judaism, and experience all the fun the outdoors can offer. Each session provides different activities and experiences specific to that week, but similar concepts are woven through every session. Most activities will be outside, weather permitting. Typical preschool activities will also be part of this summer camp experience. From sports to gardening, every child has fun at Camp Teva! Check the Camp Teva page here for more information.
Meet Our Staff
Marsha Mitnick, Director
Marsha has been working with young children and their families for over 25 years. She started in the early childhood classroom and then moved onto creating and directing a therapeutic preschool. Over ten years ago, she was asked to bring all her expertise to start The Learning Center. Having worked previously in a specialty setting, The Learning Center families and children benefit from Marsha's training in recognizing and providing support should struggles arise for any child and family. Some of her favorite things about being a part of the team at The Learning Center are teaching children through hands-on learning in the garden and working with parents on parenting. In addition to running The Learning Center, Marsha is a licensed child therapist.
Janet Kelly, Lead Teacher
Janet Kelly has been in early childhood for many years and teaching at TLC for 4 years. She currently teaches in the 3-year-old classroom. She loves working at TLC because of the philosophy of the school. The classes have low ratios and the teachers work as a team, and are part of a mentoring, sharing environment.
Kate Derkacz, Lead Teacher
Kate Derkacz is an Assistant Teacher at The Learning Center. This is her third year of teaching and the second year at The Learning Center. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, with a strong focus on child development. This serves her well as she interacts with The Learning Center kids. Kate is a helpful and positive individual who always brings happiness, kindness and diligence to the classroom. Kate loves working at The Learning Center because of the wonderful and productive learning environment for the children.
Frequently asked questions
I am not a member of Temple Shir Shalom. Can my child go to The Learning Center for preschool?
Yes! You do not have to be a member to enjoy The Learning Center. We welcome all families to attend preschool. There are benefits to becoming a member of Temple Shir Shalom. For more information about membership, please visit our membership page.
I'm not Jewish. Can my child still attend The Learning Center?
Families of all backgrounds are welcome. The Learning Center is a play-based Jewish preschool. However, we welcome anyone who wants to join our community.
When can my child start preschool?
Our Monday - Friday preschool begins at age 2½. However, we have many other programming opportunities for younger children and families. A child can start The Learning Center experience as early as 3-months-old. Babies through 3-year-olds can attend our Bim Bom Baby, Pop-ups in the Park and additional family programming for the young child with their special adult. These experiences provide the opportunity for children to meet each other, connect with a nurturing teacher and our clergy and still feel the security of a parent or other adult.
Do you offer extended care?
Yes! We do offer extended care. Children can join us as early as 7:45 AM and stay as late as 5:30 PM. Extended care is arranged by semester at $12/hour.
Does my child have to be potty trained?
No. Because we take children as young as 2½, they do not have to be potty trained. We work closely with parents to help in the process of toilet training. Just like learning to eat with silverware… it takes practice.
What does a typical day look like at The Learning Center?
| Morning Schedule | Afternoon Schedule |
|---|---|
| • Arrival | • Lunch |
| • Books / Table Activities | • Quiet Time |
| • Movement | • Group Time |
| • Circle Time | • Small Groups / Enrichment |
| • Planning | • Choice Time |
| • Choice Time | • Clean Up |
| • Clean Up | • Games / Music / Movement |
| • Story Time | • Outside Time |
| • Snack Time | • Goodbyes (Dismissal) |
| • Small Groups | |
| • Outside Time | |
| • Goodbyes (Dismissal) |
Are meals or snacks provided?
Snacks are provided. We are proud of the nutritional component of The Learning Center. Fresh fruit or fresh vegetables are served daily. Often these are picked from the garden that the children planted and maintain. All lunches during the school year are provided by parents.
How is discipline handled?
At The Learning Center, the social-emotional component is seamlessly woven into every facet of learning. Problem-solving and negotiating are skills that young children need help with at times. Our staff is trained to help our children manage their feelings, communicate their needs and encourage positive behavior throughout the day. Respecting each individual child and their learning style plays a significant role in guiding their behavior.
Are there active play opportunities to develop gross and fine motor skills?
The Learning Center preschool provides plenty of opportunities for active play. Physical activity is critical for the development of a child's gross motor skills and promotes health and well-being. We incorporate a specific movement activity into our daily schedule. Every class goes outside every day, weather permitting. Table time is also a must. Fine motor activities are provided as a group activity and are also woven seamlessly through our open-ended Free Choice activity time.
How do the teachers communicate with parents?
Communicating with parents is a fundamental component of our preschool. Teachers will communicate through newsletters, emails, phone calls and parent meetings. Because we know that children are extremely aware of the things around them, we will not discuss a child in front of him or her. Parents are encouraged to let the teacher know they would like to speak with him/her and the teacher will contact the parent as soon as possible.
In what ways can parents become involved in The Learning Center?
At the preschool age, the parent relationship is the most significant relationship a child has. A parent knows their child in a very different way than his or her teacher. Parents with children enrolled in The Learning Center become part of a team that helps drive the successes of their child in the school setting. There are educational meetings, special parent days and an ongoing parent group that addresses child development and parenting.
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