Jewish Preschool Programs in San Francisco, CA

Temple Emanu-el Preschool:
The Temple Emanu-El Preschool is a leading Jewish preschool in the Richmond District (directly north of Golden Gate Park) in the north-west of San Francisco. The largest and oldest reformed synagogue in Northern California is also the site of our highly respected preschool. The Emanu-El community is a very active one and the synagogue the site of workshops, lectures, and community activities, as well as worship. Temple Emanu-el's particular focus is on serving the interfaith family. We provide a safe, nurturing and supportive program in a Jewish environment. Our preschool program is designed for children ages 2 years 6 months to 4 / 5 years of age. Our Pre-Kindergarten program is designed as a transitional year between preschool and kindergarten and is for children who are 4 / 5 years of age.

Two-Year-Old Program:
This program is designed for children ages 2 to 2.5 years old. Children must be 2 by September 30th of admission year. Children have the opportunity to actively explore and engage in developmentally appropriate activities. Two-Year-Old program meets Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30.

Preschool:
The preschool program is for children ages 2 years 6 months  to 4 / 5 years. Our curriculum emphasizes learning as an interactive process where children learn through an emergent, playoriented approach. Children are given the opportunity to explore, question, practice, and pretend in their discovery of the world around them. Preschool meets Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 12 noon. Extended day care is available between 8:00 and 9:00, and between 12 noon and 5:00.

Pre-Kindergarten:
Pre-K is for children 4 - 5 years old. Pre-K program includes teacher-directed curriculum, child-directed work time, large and small group activity times, focused on emerging skills. Pre-K meets Monday through Friday, 8:30 am until 1:30. Extended day care is available between 8:00 and 8:30, and between 1:30 and 5:00.

There is before & after school care available for the Preschool and Pre-K Programs.

Summer Camp:
Our summer camp is a smaller, cozier version of the school year program with weekly and one-time visits by specialists. The summer program has many of our regular preschool features including Judaic content. The 2009 season will build on the curriculum that we've developed over the last four summers with an emphasis on the Outdoors and Child-initiated Inquiry.

The relaxed pace of summer also allows children time to take on "real work" such as framing and hanging their art pieces or planning and making snack. Summer is aso a time to "move up" to the age group that a child will be joining in September. (If your child comes for the summer only, they will be placed with peers). For children starting at the Preschool in September, camp is a wonderful "warm-up" for the fall when selecting one or more of our sessions.