Summary

Contact Info

Beth Torah Kindergarten & Preschool
720 Lookout Drive
Richardson , TX 75080
www.congregationbethtorah.org

Tel: (972)-234-1542 ext. 222
Fax: (972) 783-1463

Director: Esther Cohen
preschool@congregationbethtorah.org

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

From february before the year a child is eligible to enroll.

Wait list

No

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

125

Student/teacher ratio

6:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

1 years and 6 months

Extended day

Yes

School year

08/2008 - 05/2009

Summer Program

06/2008 - 08/2008

Survey Information

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

125

Student/teacher ratio

6:1

Established

1986

Average tenure for teachers

10 yrs.

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

90%

- Masters

20%

- Teaching credentials

100%

- CPR

100%

- First aid

100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- Teachers/director meet children at their cars and walk the children into the classroom

- 9:00 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: If a parent is late picking up their child, they must sign them out.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• The program is different for the older children.

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

Yes

Teach religious concepts	Yes
• Children of all faiths are just as welcome here!

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• We try to meet the child's needs according to what the problem may be. An example is one year we had a child with severe peanut allergies, so we banned peanut butter from the school that year.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

Our mission is to provide families with a safe, secure, Jewish environment and quality educational program. Our goal is to offer social, emotional, physical and intellectual early childhood development that instills the joy of learning and positive self-esteem. We are a conservative preschool housed in a conservative synagogue. Our children start at 18 months and can complete Kindergarten. We have the opportunity for parent involvement. We have a Parent and Child Program for children 12- 18 months. We always look to our Jewish values and heritage and observe all aspects of the Jewish Holiday. We are committed to providing a warm, nurturing, loving environment in which student performance is maximized and student needs are met.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Children have circle time, centers, art projects, snack, playground, Hebrew, computers, free play, and lunch.

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Director's Comments

Our approach to learning is a combination of teacherled instruction and play-based with some structure.

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language					YES
Oral language	-	-		-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-		-	n/a
Storybook reading	-	-		-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-	-		-	n/a

Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense	-		-	-	YES
Time & space	-		-	-	YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-		-	-	YES
Music	-	-		-	YES

Visual arts	-	-		-	YES
Physical activity	-			-	YES

Other subjects taught	Computer classes, Hebrew classes, and Drama classes.				n/a

Director's Comments

Our classromms are center based to give the children choices in their activities. We do teacher-led activities only if necessary and pertinent.

Quality of Teaching

Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching

Individualized Teaching

Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students

Our classes are center based which allows teachers to work with smaller groups to provide more attention to children who are behind or excelling.

Home School Connection

Director's Comments

Savvy Source's Comments

Monthly newsletter and calendars are sent home. Parent Support Groups meet monthly. Parent meeting is held at open house. Parent teacher conferences are held. Weekly information is given at Friday Sabbath Services.

Separation

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

Lots of cuddling and one on one attention is given to children who are having trouble with separation anxiety. We use toys and projects to distract them. Sometimes younger children will be taken outside to the playground.

Discipline, Health and Safety

Overview

Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline

We talk about the problem with the child, and if the problem is serious enough, we would contact the parents.

Food Allergies

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

Medications

- Only on rare occasions do we administer medication

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 1 years 6 months to 3 years 37 months	10		$2515/Year
From 5 years 1 months to 6 years 83 months	15		$5273/Year
From 3 years 1 months to 5 years 61 months	15		$3270/Year
From 1 years 6 months to 3 years 37 months	10		$3270/Year
From 3 years 1 months to 5 years 61 months	15	Tue 9am - 1pm Wed 9am - 1pm Thu 9am - 1pm Fri 9am - 1pm	$4087/Year
From 1 years 6 months to 3 years 37 months	10		$4856/Year
From 3 years 1 months to 5 years 61 months	15		$4856/Year

Extended Care

- This school does have extended care

Notes on Schedule and Extended Care

Notes

Prices listed above are for Synagogue Members. Non-Synagogue Prices: 2 days- $3116 per year. 3 days- $4198 per year. 4 days- $5,152 per year. 5 days- $6090 per year. Pre K and Kindergarten- $6530 per year. There is a 10% discount to siblings. Early Drop Off daily at 8:00 a.m. for $8 per day. Late Stay Enrichment from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. for $10 per day. After School Care from 2:00- 3:00 p.m. is $10 per day. 3:00- 4:30 p.m. is $10 per day. Parent and Child Classes are also offered for children 12 months and older.

Calendar Year

School Year

08/2008 - 05/2009

Summer Program

06/2008 - 08/2008

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: From february before the year a child is eligible to enroll.

There is no wait list for upcoming school year.

Parent visits tours are: Recommended

Child interview process: None

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $175

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: First-come basis

Notification occurs: Immediately

Parents must submit deposit within the following timeframe of receiving notification of acceptance: ASAP

Financial aid is available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 1 years and 6 months to enroll.

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Director's views on diversity:
Ours is a Jewish preschool and therefore our student population is primarily Jewish. We will enroll anyone who wants to be here.

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.