Preschool & Kindergarten

We strive to nurture and facilitate each child’s experiences and learning opportunities through play, exploration and creativity. Discover all we have to offer your family in the Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool & Kindergarten.

Group of kids all on the playground slide.

Overview

The official community's choice award for best bold city winner.

Providing unparalleled excellence in early childhood education in Jacksonville since 1974.

Every activity and experience in our Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool & Kindergarten is based on a unique variety of learning approaches. Learning experiences for our preschool and kindergarten classes are developmentally based and draw from the best practices of NAEYC, Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Creative Curriculum, Sheva, Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative (JECEI) Jewish Lenses and more. With play-based and hands-on learning, each student can reach their full potential in scientific discovery, problem-solving and critical thinking in our physically and emotionally safe, nurturing environment. In our school, children achieve success, gain independence and self-confidence while their individual ability, learning style and developmental pace is respected and valued.

In addition to designing a curriculum grounded in the interests and development of the children, teachers also weave in curricula from The Creative Curriculum developmental objectives. The Creative Curriculum resources build children’s confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills through hands-on, project-based investigations.

We also employ an emotionally responsive practice – Conscious Discipline. Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive emotional intelligence and classroom management system that integrates all domains of learning (social, emotional, physical, cultural and cognitive) into one seamless curriculum. Conscious Discipline provides a positive school climate that fosters academic achievement and pro-social skills.

Michele Block Gan Yeladim Classes

Click each class to learn more.

Two toddlers playing in the sand at a playground.

Busy Bees | Age 1 and walking

Grasshoppers | Age 2 by Sep 1

A group of children standing on top of a playground.

Teddy Bears | Age 3 by Sep 1

A little girl wearing a unicorn sweatshirt on a playground.

Junior Kindergarten | Age 4 by Sep 1

A young girl peeking out of a shelf full of shells.

Kindergarten | Age Sep 5

A young boy peeking out of a play structure.

A young girl crawling on the ground in front of a building.

A classroom with a variety of objects on the window sill.

A group of children playing with blocks in a classroom.

A group of children are making a papier mache sculpture in a classroom.

A group of children are planting vegetables in a raised garden.

A little girl is painting with blue paint on a piece of paper.

A group of children playing in a puddle.

A group of children playing with clay on a table.

Two young boys playing with a wooden box.

A young boy playing with a toy in front of a mirror.

A group of children sitting on the floor reading a book.

A young boy playing with toys in a play area.

A group of paintings hanging from a window.

Two children playing with a projector in a classroom.

A young boy sitting on a purple pipe in a playground.

A little girl playing with blocks in a classroom.

A young boy playing with legos in a classroom.

A young boy with his hands up in a classroom.

A little girl is playing on a playground.

A young boy standing on a wooden bridge in a yard.

A little girl playing with a colorful shadow.

A toddler playing with a hanukkah menorah.

A little girl with a paint brush at a table.

Parent Resources

Supply List

2023-24 ECE Planning Calendar

2023-24 Family Handbook

A woman in glasses smiling in front of bushes.

Natalia Fisher

Early Childhood Director / Early Childhood

Donna Jacoby

Early Childhood Associate Director / Early Childhood

Nicole Blundy

Early Childhood Program Coordinator / Early Childhood

Connie Clark

Early Childhood Office Administrator / Early Childhood

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool & Kindergarten?

What ages does Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool & Kindergarten accept?

We offer preschool classes for ages 1 and walking, all the way to Kindergarten.

What are the teacher to student ratios?

Busy Bees 1:4 or 2:8
Grasshoppers 1:6 or 2:12
Teddy Bears 1:8 or 2:16
JKs 1:8 or 2:16
Kindergarteners 1:9 or 2:18

Does your school provide snacks or lunch to the students?

A snack will be provided every morning. On Fridays, the children are offered challah bread as their special snack for Shabbat.

Parents are to provide a lunch and an afternoon snack if the child is scheduled to stay in school past 3:30 pm.

Are parents welcome to visit or volunteer?

Yes! We love parent involvement and have many opportunities throughout the year to volunteer, assist, or participate in programming.

Do you have to be a valued member or Jewish to be able to attend?

No! Our preschool and kindergarten is open to everyone regardless of membership or faith. However, valued members do receive priority registration as well as discounted tuition rates.

What is the admissions process?

Please click here to see our admissions process.

Are we able to tour the school before registering?

Tours are always welcome! If there is a specific day or time that you prefer to stop by, please do not hesitate to contact us. Email us at ganyeladim@jcajax.org to schedule a tour today.

Do you have a supply list?

Yes. Each classroom in the Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool & Kindergarten has its own associated supply list. Supply lists will be made available in advance of the new school year.

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