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At BEECC, we believe that children are competent and capable citizens of their classrooms, school, and the world. We welcome children and families of all faiths and backgrounds into our loving and joyfully Jewish community.
Our preschool is built upon two pillars: Jewish values and the Reggio Emilia Approach to education. Our Jewish values form the roots of who we are as learners, educators, and citizens of our community. Some aspects of our Judaism are explicit, such as learning about and celebrating holidays, welcoming Shabbat each week together, and in the blessings we say before snack and lunch. Our Jewish values are also woven into how we respect each other and our classrooms, how we welcome in guests, and how we value hesed (acts of loving kindness), tzedakah (justice and giving back), and shalom (peace).
Our preschool is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach founded in Reggio Emilia, Italy. After World War II, founder Loris Malaguzzi believed that a holistic, community-based, and child-focused education would develop an inclusive society with municipal schools interwoven into the community. Malaguzzi's vision was based on his experience as a teacher and his training in psychology. As a whole, the community's goal was to help build a better future for the children and families of Reggio Emilia.
What started as a local mission has blossomed into an international approach to education with early childhood education centers in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
As a Reggio-inspired preschool, we incorporate the core tenet that every child is unique, will express their interests in many different ways, and is an active citizen of their community. BEECC focuses on these core aspects to honor each child:
Image of the Child
At BEECC, we see the child as competent, capable, and powerful. Rather than seeing a child as a vessel in which to deposit information, we elevate the child to be an equal citizen in their classroom. Our students contribute to their environment and curriculum; their rights are recognized, honored, and prioritized. This perspective allows them to contribute equally to the classroom culture, empowering them to lead the way.
Emergent Curriculum
While the Jewish calendar forms the backbone of our curriculum, each class and each school year looks different. BEECC teachers invite their students to interact with materials, experiences, and each other; through observations, our teachers are able to develop a curriculum tailored to the interests and questions of their students. Our teachers become co-researchers with their students as they experiment, explore, and engage with the world around them.
Play-Full
"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood." – Mr. Rogers
Unstructured free play allows children to develop their natural curiosity. The children themselves will often develop a structural schema as they become more comfortable with each other, their environments, and the adults in their lives. Through daily play, young children are able to enrich key areas of development, including socioemotional learning, cognitive skills, and communication skills. At BEECC, our teachers work with our students to curate their play, supporting children as they develop their interests and shape their classroom environments to support those interests.
Core Classes
Families may choose from half-day (9:00am - 1:00pm) and core day (9:00am - 3:30pm) options. Class rosters are set based on the age of the students to ensure developmentally-appropriate materials, experiences, and curriculum. Each class has daily time spent outside, on our playground as well as exploring our extensive campus. Our classes incorporate music, art, gathering time, and stories into their daily routines. On Fridays, our entire school gathers together in the CBE sanctuary for Shabbat Sing; afterwards, each class will celebrate Shabbat in their individual classrooms with grape juice and challah included in their snack.
Early & After Care
Early Care and After Care are additional add-ons to extend your child's day at BEECC. Both programs are staffed by our BEECC educators and supervised by our administrative team. Early Care runs from 8:00-9:00am; After Care runs from 3:30-6:00pm Mondays through Thursdays and 3:30-5:00pm on Fridays. After Care includes nap/rest time for all children.
Summer @ BEECC
The fun doesn't have to stop at the end of a school year! Join us on our teva (nature) adventures during Summer @ BEECC. Our Reggio-inspired nature camp will be full of hands-on explorations and investigations through art, science, nature walks, water play, and more.
Enrollment is open to children ages two through five. All two-year-olds must be enrolled in the upcoming school year at BEECC in order to attend Summer Adventures.
BEECC Home | About BEECC | Meet the BEECC Team | Family Resources | COVID-19
