Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center
Congregation Shir Hadash
20 Cherry Blossom Lane
Los Gatos, CA 95032
http://shecc.org/

Q: Do you offer tours of your school for prospective students?
RA: We encourage all prospective parents to visit the school. Parents may visit on our scheduled Open House day on a Sunday afternoon in January or they may schedule an appointment to visit at a mutually agreeable time. They are welcome to bring their children with them although the visit will be longer when their children are present. The children always want to participate in what is going on when the visit on a school day. If so, what does it detail? I try to give the visitors an opportunity to speak briefly with the classroom teacher if they visit on a school day. At our Open House the teachers do have time to speak with parents at length. The parents get to see the classrooms and our outdoor play space.

Q: How is the security of your campus?
RA: Our exterior door and the interior door to the classrooms are locked with keypads for entry. Parents are given the codes for entry.

Q: What is done to assist a new student just entering?
RA: Before the school year begins, each child is invited to visit the classroom with his/her parents to meet the teachers and explore the environment. During this meeting, parents are asked to share information about their child that would be important to help their child make a successful transition to the early childhood program. Depending on the age of the child, the teachers, director and parents will work out an orientation attendance schedule that will allow the individual child a smooth and successful transition to school. When a child enters school mid-year, we ask the child to visit and stay in the class for part of the morning with his/her parent. When the child begins attending school, we may have the child gradually increase her time spent in the classroom until she is able to reach her full schedule. This often takes three attendance days or less, however each child is viewed as an individual and we try to meet what she needs.

Q: How do you handle discipline issues?
RA: Discipline in our Early Childhood Center is focused on re-direction for the youngest children. Children over 2 years of age are told that they are not allowed to hurt themselves or anyone else. If a child does hurt a peer, the child doing the hurting is asked to help the person who was hurt feel better. They could help apply a cold pack or sit with the injured child while he is calming down. We talk about how the other child feels and looks.

Q: What is the school’s philosophy and vision? How does it translate to day-to-day life for the students?
RA: The mission of Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center is to create a safe and nurturing Jewish early childhood environment inspired by the philosophy of Reggio Emilia. Children enrolled in a Reggio-inspired school are looked upon as individuals who enter school with experiences and interests. It is the teachers jobs to discover those interests and provide stimulating experiences that start with the child’s interests and help the child discover other paths in his/her acquisition of knowledge.

Q: Is the school governed by a board or an owner operator?
RA: Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center is part of Congregation Shir Hadash and housed on the campus of Shir Hadash. The Early Childhood Center has a Parent Council to help set policy, review budgets, and assist with school celebrations and fundraisers. The chair of the Parent Council is the school liaison to the Board of Directors of Congregation Shir Hadash.

Q: Are there particular guidelines the school follows for its curriculum?
RA: Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center is a project-based, Reggio-inspired school. The center of the child’s day is play with learning infused throughout the play scenarios.

Q: What extracurricular activities are offered?
RA: Each day at 1:00, a different enrichment class is offered. These classes are offered for an additional fee and are optional. Currently the enrichment classes offered are dance, bucket drumming, Mindful Movement (Yoga), soccer and tumbling.

Q: What is the student-to-teacher ratio? Is there a maximum class size?
RA: The ratio in a class of 2-year-ols is 6:1 with a maximum of 12 children. The ratio of children in a 3, 4 or transitional kindergarten class is 12:1 with a maximum of 16 children. All classes have 2 teachers scheduled every day and the ratio is often smaller than 12:1.

Q: Does the school provide day care or have extended hours?
RA: Children may enroll two, three, four or 5 days a week for a half day, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, or a full day, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. If parents do not need care for a full day, they may purchase extra hours before 8:30 am or after 1:00 pm.

Shir Hadash Early Childhood Center is a Reggio-inspired program for children ages 2 years through 5 years of age. We offer a Transitional Kindergarten program for those children who do not make the age requirement for Kindergarten classes. Parents may select a full day or part day attendance schedule for their child. A full day schedule allows for the child to attend any hours between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm. The part day schedule is from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Parents are encourage to make an appointment with the Director to tour the school and meet the staff or they are welcomed at our Open House on Sunday, January 21, 2018. More information can be found on the school website www.shecc.org.

For information or to schedule a tour, call Robin Adelman at 408-358-1751 x115

Five Things About Robin Adelman
1. Have you met anyone famous? Tom Hanks
2. Who would you like to meet? Michelle Obama
3. Do you have a hobby? When I have the time, I enjoy making English smocked dresses for little girls
4. Where would you like to travel to if you had the opportunity? I would really love to go back to Scotland for a round of golf.
5. Can you tell us one of your passions in life? Being with my Grandkids