THE PAUL S. AND SYLVIA STEINBERG PRE-SCHOOL creates a warm and caring environment to meet the needs of young children ages 2 - 5. One of the premiere pre-schools on the North Shore, the Steinberg Pre-School has been providing outstanding, developmentally appropriate secular and Judaic programming since 1951. The pre-school features bright, cheerful classrooms in a state-of the-art physical facility as well as a staff of highly trained and nurturing early childhood educators.

The Steinberg Pre-School is an integral part of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El. It is housed in a pre-school wing containing rooms designed with young children in mind. Gan Sylvia, our large enclosed playground, faces Lake Michigan and offers ample opportunity for gross motor development. In addition, the Grossinger-Brickman Activity Center is used for large muscle activities. Additional resources within the synagogue are also available to students and teachers.


Accreditation
The Steinberg Pre-School is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is licensed by the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. We are affiliated with the Community Foundation for Jewish Education (CFJE) and hold membership in the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE).

Children of the Steinberg pre-school at a Purim party.

Programs

Two-year-old Parent-Toddler Program. In a room equipped with their needs in mind, toddlers have the opportunity to share a play experience with their parents. Free play, gross motor activities, Jewish holiday observances, arts and crafts, stories, songs, and snacks are all part of this special morning. Parent-Toddler classes meet either one or two days a week. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 10:15 am or 10:30 to 11:45 am. Parents may also choose to enroll once per week on Tuesdays from 12 noon to 1: 1 5 pm. Children must turn two years of age by December 31.

Transition Class for Two-and-a-Half Year Olds. During the first half of the year, children and parents attend class together from lO:00 to ll:15 am. After a very smooth separation, children attend alone during the second half of the year. The class begins earlier, at 9:15 am, and a second teacher is added. Children's birthdays must fall between January 1 and April 1.

Three-year-old Classes. Our Young Three's class meets three days a week and is specifically designed for children turning three between September 2 and December 31.  Three's -- Children turning three by September 1 may attend class three or five mornings per week. Older Three's -- those turning four between September 2 and December  31 -- meet five mornings. All classes run from 9:00 to 11:30 am.

Four and five year old Classes. These classes meet Monday - Friday. Monday, Wednesday, Friday 12:30 - 3:00 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursdays 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.   On Tuesdays and Thursdays the children bring a dairy lunch and enjoy lunch at school.

Staff

We are very proud of our highly qualified and dedicated staff. They bring to the school academic degrees, experience, and interest in providing the best possible Judaic and general pre-school programs for young children.

In the interest of helping teachers to grow professionally, they attend a variety of workshops and classes sponsored by the Community Foundation for Jewish Education (CFJE) and other institutions, they have access to an on-site resource library, and they attend weekly in-service training.

Specialists

Children meet with a variety of specialists during the course of the year: Jewish Story Hour. The director of our Gray Cultural and Learning Center meets with children bi-weekly for a special "Jewish Story Hour."

Music and Movement

Each week children also meet with either our music specialist or our movement specialist

Social Work Services

A consulting social worker from the Jewish Children's Bureau visits all classes throughout the year. Consultation services include staff development, observation and discussion of a child who may have difficulties adjusting to the classroom setting, and referral services. Parents will be notified if staff members feel.that a consultation is necessary or beneficial.

Information pertaining to children enrolled at the Steinberg Pre-School or their families is kept confidential unless the parents have given written consent for its release. The social worker is also available to parents to help with family issues which may arise during the year.

Our Partnership With Parents

The Steinberg Pre-School offers many opportunities for planned family participation, including a Daddies Day for three- and four-year-old classes, a Shabbat family service and dinner for four-year-olds, Hanukkah and Purim celebrations, a pre-school Seder, and more! During regular school sessions parents are invited to take a turn coming on Friday as the Shabbat Ema or Abba (mother of father). The parent helps the child light candies or make Kiddush and participates in a lovely Kabbalat Shabbat program. Transliterations of the blessings are available to parents.

Beth El also offers a variety of Parenting Programs designed to promote positive JevVish parenting from the very beginning of family life and to provide support for parents as their family grows. Classes include Jewish Gym for Her and Him, a parent & tot class with a Jewish flavor; Systematic Training for Effective Parenting, an approach to positive parenting; and Daddies & Darlings, one of our most popular classes, which features a Sunday morning of fun for dads and pre-schoolers; and Kids in the Kitchen ... A Jewish Rendition, an exciting parent and child lunchtime cooking class. Class offerings vary from year to year.

Summer Camp

Whether your child is just beginning his or her first important separation from Mom & Dad or has already completed a great year in our pre-school, Summer Camp offers an enriching and exciting summer experience while providing the continuity that is so vital to young children. Summer Camp staff are all professional teachers, knowledgeable in child development. The program includes games, arts & crafts, lots of water play, and just plain fun in an atmosphere where children can proceed at their own pace while developing positive feelings about themselves and about pre-school. For more information about Summer Camp, contact the pre-school office.

Touring the Pre-School

Parents are welcome to make an appointment to tour the pre-school and observe any of our classes. To minimize the disruption to teachers and students, we ask that you please refrain from bringing your children with you. You may also arrange to meet with the director of the pre-school to discuss any questions you may have.

For additional information or to arrange for a tour of the pre-school, call (847)432-2830.