Nursery School

Philosophy
Calendar

Admissions Process

Parents Association and Monthly Highlights

The Nursery School at Temple Shaaray Tefila incorporates the strong traditions and values of Judaism in a nurturing close-knit environment. Our program is designed to develop social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and physical capabilities to the fullest. We provide a wide variety of experiences, including music, art, science, cooking and field trips. Early-childhood education enriched by Judaism can help bring to our children an increased awareness, appreciation and love of their rich heritage. Our curriculum includes celebrating all the holidays and experiencing Shabbat each week with songs, blessings, a special snack and a visit from the clergy.

We offer classes for children from 2.6 - 5 years old. The younger children participate in a half-day program, two or three days a week, while the older children attend five full days a week. Families are encouraged to participate in their children’s Nursery School experience.

Enrollment: 120 Boys and Girls, Ages 2.6 - 5 years old

Sari Luck Schneider, Director
Bonnie Blanco, Assistant Director

Address and Phone Number:

Temple Shaaray Tefila Nursery School

250 East 79th Street

New York, NY  10021

(212) 535-2146

E-Mail Addresses

nurseryschool@tstnyc.org

Sari Schneider: sschneider@tstnyc.org

Bonnie Blanco: bblanco@tstnyc.org

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Philosophy
The Temple Shaaray Tefila Nursery School began in the fall of 1993 with the full support of the warm and well-established congregation. The caring sense of family and community that is so central to the Temple is also central to the Nursery School. The school incorporates the strong traditions and values of Judaism in a nurturing environment, where children enjoy learning with their friends in a well-equipped physical space.

Each classroom has a carefully constructed teacher-to-student ratio. All groups have three classroom teachers plus a few specialists who teach movement, music or Hebrew on a weekly basis. There are various activities throughout each school day; some are more structured, others are purposefully more open. In fact, there is a major part of the schedule devoted to play. The children work with art materials, blocks, puzzles, etc., for extended time. Teachers faciliate the children's indiviual and/or coopeartive goals. There are tangible lessons and more subtle ones as the children develop skills in many important areas: cognitive, physical, emotional and social.

We also have an Early Childhood consultant who is at school each week. She visits all of the classroosms regularly, meets with the Nursery School staff, holds occasional group talks on topics of interest to families with young children, and is available to meet privately with parents to discuss any areas of concern.

Our goal is to foster a sense of community and to help all of the children appreciate each other's strengths. Families are encouraged to participate. Parents produce a school newspaper; they work in the children's library, help on class trips, organize fundraising activities and join in classroom and Temple celebrations. The connection to the Temple community makes our school a special place for children, families and staff.

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Admissions Process

If you are interested in applying for admission to the Nursery School for the 2006-07 school year, you may call the Nursery School Office for an application any time between September 6 - November 15, 2005 and we will mail it to you. Children must be 2.6 years old as of September 2006 to enter the Nursery School.

Once we receive your completed application, we will contact you to set up a tour of the school. The tour lasts about 1 hour and includes a discussion of philosophy, practical issues, holidays, etc. There will also be time for you to ask questions and to see the school in action. It is very important to us that you are given a clear picture of our school so we can assess whether we have similar goals. We do not interview children. Priority is given to Temple members and siblings of children currently enrolled in the school. Any remaining openings are offered to non-member applicants through a random selection. While we would like to accommodate everyone, please understand that the Nursery School was created in order to provide an early education program for our congregation. Admission notification will be sent via mail according to the Independent Schools Admission Association of New York (ISAAGNY) dates for the current school year.

Scholarship Applications

If you would like to apply for scholarship, please obtain the form from the Nursery School Office, attach all paperwork indicated and return your packet to: Temple Shaaray Tefila Nursery School, 250 East 79th Street, New York, NY  10021, Attn: Sari Luck Schneider, Director. A Temple Scholarship Committee reviews all applications. Acceptance into the Nursery School is not related to any decision regarding scholarship. As stated on the application form, the amount of scholarship can be up to 50% of tuition but also depends on the amount of funds available.
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Parents Association

The Nursery School has an active Parents Association which affords everyone an opportunity to get involved. For a full description please follow this link to the Parents Association page. 

Monthly Highlights

The Nursery School is closed for the summer. The 2005-06 school year starts Wednesday, September 14. See you then!