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The Valley Beth Shalom Early Childhood Center welcomes children from birth through 5 years old. The ECC embraces a child’s natural way of learning and provides an environment that nurtures social, emotional and intellectual development.

Our mission is to love and encourage each child. Through Jewish tradition, wisdom, and values, and with respect and enthusiasm, we nurture and guide each child as an individual. We foster self-esteem, confidence and independence while encouraging inquiry, collaboration, and creativity and cultivating a love for learning. 

We partner with families to provide a safe and supportive community. This is all to create a more just, enlightened and peaceful world.

About VBS ECC

At the VBS ECC, children learn to face the challenges of their generation collaboratively and creatively through Jewish values. We do this by providing curriculum that addresses the needs of the whole child, including strong thinking skills, compassion and Tikkun Olam (healing the world). We cultivate a passion for learning by engaging children in authentic and meaningful experiences. We embrace each child's unique and natural way of learning, value social responsibility as highly as personal responsibility, and prepare children with the foundational skills to be successful in school and in life.

Our ECC Directors have extensive experience supporting children, parents and teachers. Our roots are deep. Our expert teachers (2-3 per classroom) provide essential guidance, helping children discover passion and intrinsic motivation. We are inspired by the philosophy of Reggio-Emilia and create rich opportunities for inquiry-based learning. Children are encouraged and supported at their own pace by our teachers and educational specialists. 

Collaborative, long-term projects and a curriculum that is responsive to children’s interest provide a meaningful context for discovery. As a result, learning becomes deeply integrated into children’s hearts and minds. 

We have a dedicated full-time Outdoor Classroom specialist so that learning opportunities are expanded into the great outdoors through play and engagement via all five senses and the natural environment.

To learn more about the VBS ECC, please call (818) 788-0567 or email ecc@vbs.org.

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VBS ECC Preschool is a warm, nurturing Jewish Environment where children feel safe and secure. Our teachers are gifted, highly trained educators of young children and early Jewish education. We work closely with families and value parents as an integral part of the education process. The ECC is dedicated to encouraging your children to:

• Develop self-esteem, to know that they are loved and have a special place in the world.
• Respect all people and embrace our differences.
• Create a strong identification with Judaism and the Jewish community at VBS.

We cannot accomplish these goals without YOU. Our enthusiastic VBS ECC parents and grandparents are partners with the school in the education of our children. A child’s early years are filled with growth, exploration and wonderful discoveries. Our Preschool provides a rich learning environment that stimulates  curiosity and the joy of being Jewish.  Every child receives personal attention that recognizes their individuality. The Preschool program is for children ages 2 to 5 years. Classes meet 5 days a week.The focus of the first years is socialization, separation and developing language skills.

• The focus of the first years is socialization, separation and developing language skills.
  ACORNS   (2 - 3 yr. olds)  Half Day: 9:30am–1:00pm or Full Day: 9:30am–3:00pm
  SEEDLINGS   (2^1/2 - 3 yr. olds)  Half Day: 9:30am–1:00pm or Full Day: 9:30am–3:00pm  
• Children explore a more complex classroom in which learning centers are presented. Making friends, being a friend and learning to be a part of a group are key skills taught at this stage.
  SPROUTS   (3 - 3^1/2 yr. olds)  Half Day: 9:00am–1:00pm or Full Day: 9:00am–3:00pm
  SPRIGS     (3^1/2 - 4 yr. olds)  Half Day: 9:00am–1:00pm or Full Day: 9:00am–3:00pm 
• Early math and writing experiences are introduced, along with music, art, body movement and self-esteem skills. 
  PRE-K OAKS    (4 - 5 yr. olds)  8:30am–2:45pm
• As we prepare for Kindergarten, creative learning with math, science, reading and writing are explored.
  TK (Transitional Kindergarten)    (4^1/2 - 5 yr. olds)  8:30am–2:45pm

Hebrew learning is an integral part of our program.

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