Exploration, Experimentation, and a Range of Experiences at EEC
At Community Synagogue, the Early Childhood Center program provides a sensory-rich environment where children feel safe to explore, experiment, and ask questions. They recognize the importance of offering children technology-free experiences that feed their senses. They believe communication and language are crucial to a child’s education and see drawing as a key tool in supporting early literacy. Equally important at the Early Childhood Center (ECC) is the development of social and emotional skills with an emphasis on kindness, empathy, and community. Universal human values are woven into the curriculum in ways that can be appreciated and understood by young children. The goal is to provide a strong foundation that the children can carry with them to elementary school and beyond.
Next month, the ECC is excited to unveil its new and improved indoor play space. Said Director Dale Oberlander, “Thanks to the wonderful fundraising efforts of our Parents Association we have incorporated innovative equipment and materials specifically designed to encourage children to think about physical science concepts while engaging in gross motor play. Our goal is to inspire creative problem-solving and collaboration as children, along with their teachers, interact with ramps, conveyor belts, weaving walls, wind tunnels, and large construction pieces. We can’t wait to see how the children play in this new space.”
The school has a wonderfully large and private outdoor space that includes
beautifully designed shade and climbing structures, sand play areas, and a dirt dig. The butterfly garden features a variety of plant species designed to attract all sorts of butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. In the thriving vegetable garden, you will find tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, carrots, peas, and herbs. This year they are excited to be growing loofa sponges (They do not come from the ocean!).
The ECC has been welcoming families to its diverse, warm, and respected preschool for over 60 years. The developmentally appropriate, play-based program is taught by highly trained and experienced teachers who are sensitive to the changing needs in early childhood education. “We are proud to play an important role in providing our students the skills they need to successfully enter kindergarten,” said Oberlander. We seek to understand, nurture, and support each child as an individual while encouraging them to be active members of our loving community.”
The ECC is licensed as a fully accredited day care center. This credential grants the opportunity to provide a longer school day (until 2:15 five days a week) for children aged 3-5. Hot lunches are available as well as afternoon enrichment classes. The 2’s program is designed to be flexible and supportive offering classes three, four, or five mornings per week. For the very young, they offer Toddler Time. The Mommy-and-Me program meets Tuesday mornings from 10:30-11:40.
Contact Director Dale Oberlander at doberlander@comsynrye.org for more information.
Community Synagogue
Early Childhood Center
200 Forest Avenue, Rye
967-7698
www.comsynrye.org
Director: Dale Oberlander
doberlander@comsynrye.org
Tuition: $1,460-$14,482
