The Alef Bet Preschool offers a unique Jewish Preschool experience for children three to five years of age. The program provides opportunities for children's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth in a creative learning environment. Alef Bet Preschool's comfortable atmosphere encourages children to interact with each other, learn from each other, and explore their individual interests.

Our Mission:
The Alef Bet Preschool's purpose is to provide a wholesome learning environment where each child can become aware of himself as an individual as well as an important member of the Jewish group. While the teachers emphasize social skills among peers, we also encourage each child to pursue his own special interests. Jewish content is integrated into the daily program to foster a sense of Jewish awareness and identity.

The Staff:
The director and early childhood staff are experienced professional educators with extensive training in early childhood education. Our Director, Elaine Beitman has 25+ years of experience directing preschool programs in Connecticut. All teachers are certified in First Aid and CPR. The school staff works together to plan and evaluate the curriculum and to meet each child's individual needs.

The Program:
Our center-based program offers a variety of developmentally appropriate activities to encourage learning and support emerging literacy. The curriculum gives the children the opportunity to develop their bodies and minds by expressing themselves through music, movement, language and art activities. All classes maintain a low child to teacher ratio.

Highlights of our program include our weekly Shabbat Parents, holiday crafts,special cooking activities, Spanish classes, and visits from community helpers. Field trips are an important component of the curriculum and parent participation is encouraged.

Nutritious snacks are provided during the day. The program will observe Kashrut and kosher products are utilized.

Our Summer Camp program offers young children a hands on learning and play experience. Activities include outdoor play, crafts, stories, cooking and live presentations. Children have a wonderful opportunity to make friends and learn in a summer camp environment.

The Parents:
The Alef Bet Preschool welcomes parents to observe, discuss policies, and participate in their child’s preschool experience. Parent involvement and interest create a successful preschool.

What's Offered

Babies and Bagels:
A fun and social time for babies (newborn to age two) and their parents/caregivers.

Mom and Tot:
An introductory preschool experience for two year olds and their parents/caregivers in a small group setting.

Three Year Old Classes
2 mornings
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Thursday

3 mornings
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Four Year Old Classes
3 afternoons
12:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m.
Monday,Wednesday,Thursday

4 afternoons
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday

5 mornings
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday, Friday

5 extended days
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday
9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Friday

Nature Camp:
Two week half day summer enrichment adventures for children 3-5 years old.
June and July sessions
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Tadpoles to Terrariums:
Voyage Benearth the Sea
Kids in Space
Around the World in Ten Days

Enrollment:
Children who will be three years of age by December 31st are eligible for the program. All children must be toilet trained. A non-refundable registration fee is required at the time of registration. Enrollment is for the entire school year.

For Further Information Please Contact:
Elaine Beitman, Director
The William and Audrey Walzer Alef Bet Preschool
203-267-3387

Programs of The Federation, Jewish Communities of Western CT, Inc.

Beat a drum, bake a pizza,
become a yoga baby ...

These are just a few of the extra activities that the children in the William and Audrey Walzer Alef Bet Preschool’s extended day enrichment class experienced thanks to a grant from The Foundation. This four year old class meets Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Judaism encourages us to consider the entire self. These special activities help the children explore their minds and bodies as well as foster creative expression.
Over the past few months the class enjoyed listening to and interacting with professional storyteller, Joyce Marie Rayno, enjoyed yoga with yoga instructor, Lori McGovern, and expressed their artistic side by participating in a ceramics class to make gifts for their families for Hanukkah.
Another program, Kids in the Kitchen, will give the class the opportunity to cook a meal.
Community volunteers helped to further enrich the class by demonstrating drumming, and balloon animal making. We are also looking forward to learning about printing and to try out our acting skills in a drama class.
These classes have provided an opportunity for the children in the extended day enrichment class to expand their horizons through a variety of rich and exciting experiences.

Fourth Annual “ Mom’s Night Out” fundraiser event was a huge success!

Parents, friends and the general public enjoyed an evening of socializing, dining at an elegant buffet, and shopping, and this year a new silent auction was added as well.
To view photos from this event, click here.