Gan Shalom Early Childhood Education Center

Gan Shalom provides a Jewish education for preschool-age children based on a developmental approach to learning. The program is committed to strengthening family life through the transmission of Jewish values and traditions.

Geared for children ages four months through four years, the program includes parent-toddler classes, a two-and-a-half and three-year-old nursery school and junior kindergarten classes. Day care is available for two to four-year-olds.

The curriculum is grounded on the idea that children learn through play, and the environment is carefully planned to foster discovery, exploration and learning. We work to give our children a positive self-image, high self-esteem and a strong Jewish identity. The Gan Shalom staff consists of professionals specializing in early childhood education. There is a special 15% discount for all Temple Sholom of Chicago members in good standing.

GAN SHALOM CURRICULUM

Parent-Child Programs (Ages 4 - 36 Months)
Parent-Infant and Parent-Toddler classes are held once or twice weekly (depending upon age) for two 15 week sessions during the school year, and two 4 week sessions over the summer months. The goals of these classes are: to enable parents and children to spend uninterrupted time together, fostering their enjoyment and mutual respect of each other; to provide a setting where parents and children may clarify their understanding of age-appropriate behavior and skills; to create an environment which will strengthen the family's identification with the Jewish community; to foster independence and socialization in a safe, accepting environment that provides appropriate opportunities for growth and development; to enable the child to gradually extend trust from parent to other significant adults; to enable the child to practice and begin to master his/her ever growing skills of separation, socialization, and individuation.

Nursery School Programs (Ages 2 - 4 Years)
Nursery School classes are held 3 mornings a week for 2 year olds and 3 year olds, or 5 mornings a week for 3 year old and 4 year old children. Classes are two and one-half hours long, except the full day junior kindergarten which is six hours long, including lunch. As with the Parent-Child Programs, goals include the continued development of socialization and independence in a nurturing environment; and integration of family and school within a Jewish context. Additionally the Nursery Programs help the children form a positive Jewish self-image; and provide stimuli and opportunities for growth and development in social, cognitive, intellectual, and physical skills.

A typical morning would find the children engaged in free play; singing together and sharing their experiences during group time; trying a science experiment; enjoying snack time; following through on assigned classroom responsibilities for the day; creating art projects related to a theme or upcoming holiday. Children receive all readiness skills to assure a successful transition to kindergarten. The Jewish calendar cycle and holidays play an important role in the classroom. Shabbat is celebrated each Friday, with parents baking challah on a rotating schedule, with the children. Special holiday celebrations with families are scheduled throughout the school year, both during class hours and at other times. Hebrew is introduced in the classroom informally through songs and games so that the children become thoroughly familiar and at ease with the language of their religion.

Our teachers have backgrounds in both early childhood education and Judaism.

Summer Day Camp (Ages 2 - 4 Years)
The Day Camp Program consists of two 4 week sessions. Sessions are 3 mornings a week for 2 year olds, and either 3 or 5 mornings a week for 3 and 4 year olds. The Day Camp Program is a continuation of our Nursery School Program however the emphasis is on the out-of-doors, and the program is geared to the more relaxed pace of summer. Weekly curricular themes revolve around nature and the community, and the children spend a great deal of time outdoors (weather permitting). The summer program also has a weekly theme-related field trip, and the 5 day program for 4 year olds provides swimming instruction once a week.

Day Care Program (Ages 2 - 4 Years)
The Day Care Program has as its basis the recognition that families can combine positive parenting with the pursuit of careers and/or education. We offer a nurturing environment, in a safe, well-maintained physical plant, where parents can be confident their children are receiving a program that is developmentally sound and rich in Judaism. The program is a combination of structured morning activities which mirror our Nursery School Programs, followed by a nutritious lunch, a monitored nap, and a full afternoon program that provides a "home-like" experience at the end of the day. The Day Care Program begins at 7:30 a.m. and goes until 6:00 p.m. Children may attend a varying number of days per week depending upon the age of the child.

Enrichment Programs (Ages 3 - 5 Years)
Afternoon Enrichment classes meet 4 afternoons per week. A variety of classes are offered such as music, Hebrew & Jewish storytelling, cooking, creative arts, drama, gym, and dancing. Enrichment classes are held Monday through Thursday afternoons. Children may enroll in any number of days per week, as desired.

For more information about the Gan Shalom Early Childhood Education Center, contact the Gan Shalom Office at 773-525-4867.