At Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool and Kindergarten in Jacksonville, FL, we strive to nurture and facilitate each child’s experiences and learning opportunities through play, exploration and creativity.

Our school has been providing unparalleled excellence in early childhood education since 1974. It is our philosophy that young children represent a unique segment of society with special needs and behaviors that need specialized attention. Children’s relationships and experiences during their early years have a significant and crucial impact on growth and development. We believe the importance of these formative years should not be underestimated. Our early education programs ensure your child is growing in the direction they need to and getting the help they need.

Preschool

At Michele Block Gan Yeladim Preschool, we strive to nurture and facilitate each child’s experiences and learning opportunities through play, exploration and creativity. We engage children in age appropriate activities and prepare them to succeed in school through physical, social, emotional, cognitive, language and moral development. Children achieve success, gain independence and self-confidence while individual ability, learning style and developmental pace is respected and valued. Here at our preschool, your child’s needs come first.

Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten

Using an inquiry-based approach, Michele Block Gan Yeladim encourages learning through exploration and discovery. Students have opportunities to ask questions and test theories. We nurture each child’s interests while using methodologies that foster learning with an emphasis on socialization and emotional development. Our JK and Kindergarten classrooms provide experiences in pre-reading, writing and math with a strong focus on problem solving to promote confidence, independence and perseverance.

The classroom is made up of seven learning areas: math, literacy/language, science, blocks, dramatic play, library and creative arts and writing. In this integrated curriculum, Michele Block Gan Yeladim JK and Kindergarten provides learning experiences in science, social studies, the arts, literacy, and math, with PE and swim. In our classrooms, knowledge building does not proceed in a linear way. Construction of knowledge is a group process where children produce their own theories.

Handwriting is highlighted by Learning without Tears, a research-based curriculum that teaches handwriting skills using developmentally appropriate practice and multisensory approaches, starting with print. Michele Block Gan Yeladim teachers observe and assess each child’s performance. Their development is tracked across these developmental creative curriculum learning objectives: physical development (gross and fine),  language/literacy, approaches to learning, social and emotional development and mathematics.

Our curriculum is based upon a unique variety of approaches. All activities and experiences are developmentally based and draw from the best practices of NAEYC, Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Creative Curriculum, Sheva, Growing Up Wild and more. Experiences are play based and all hands-on. Each student reaches their potential in scientific discovery, problem solving and critical thinking in a physically and emotionally safe, nurturing environment. Children are guided as they explore, learn and document using the project approach. They are seen as constructivist learners where learning is experiential and constructed with them.

The daily schedule is planned intentionally to maximize children’s learning through effective use of time, materials, self-initiated learning, creative expression, one–on-one instruction and small and large group activities. Children are offered opportunities to learn according to their developmental needs and interests in a play-based setting.

What We Emphasize:

Here are questions we get fairly often. If you have a question that is not listed, please feel free to contact info@jcajax.org.

Does your school provide snacks or lunch to the students?

Every morning, students will receive a fresh fruit or vegetable for their morning snack. On Fridays, the children are offered “challah bread” as their special snack for Shabbat.

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

What is the teacher to student ratio for my child’s classroom?

Busy Bee Classrooms (Child is 1 by 9/1)
1:4 or 2:8

Grasshopper Classrooms (Child is 2 by 9/1)
1:6 or 2:12

Teddy Bear Classrooms (Child is 3 by 9/1)
1:8 or 2:16

Junior Kindergarten Classrooms (Child is 4 by 9/1)
1:8 or 2:16

Kindergarten Classroom (Child is 5 by 9/1)
1:9 or 2:18

Will my child move to another classroom once they celebrate their birthday?

Our preschool functions under a school-based model. Unless otherwise addressed by the Director, each child will remain in their same classroom for the whole school year.

Is your preschool licensed or accredited? If so, by whom?

We currently are accredited through NAEYC, Guiding Stars of Duval County, Florida Kindergarten Council, and the American Camp Association.

Do you have to be Jewish or a JCA member to attend?

We embrace diversity and welcome children of all faiths. You do not have to be a member to enroll your child in preschool, but we do offer membership opportunities for our preschool families.

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.

Can I visit the school?

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. We are more than welcome to conduct tours at a day or time that is conducive to you schedule.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis with JCA members receiving priority until the end of April. Financial assistance packets are due by March 15th. Non-members must apply as soon as possible to obtain the best possible chance for acceptance after the member only waiting period. All applicants must be in good financial standing (no outstanding balances) with the Early Childhood Department and the JCA or your child will need to be placed on a waiting list. Once your balance is paid in full, or you have made other acceptable arrangements with our finance office, your child’s application will be processed if space is still available.

We offer flexible scheduling options including an assortment of pick-up and drop-off times and days of the week you would like your child to attend for the school year. Students can come to school as early as 7:30 am and stay as late as 6:00 pm.

Our preschool offers 2 types of programs that you are able to enroll your child in: our 9 month program and 12 month program. The 9 month program begins on the first day of the school year and ends during May, it is similar to the length of an average school year. The 12 month program includes the same days that the 9 month students are able to attend, but also allows them to attend school on certain days that the 9 month program is closed. The 12 month program also automatically enrolls them for all sessions of our summer camp program.

To secure your space, request a registration packet, or obtain further information regarding our preschool program, please contact our office at ganyeladim@jcajax.org or call (904) 730-2100 ext. 235. 

The 2022 – 2023 school year information will be posted by early August.

To view a list of JCA virtual programming, live videos and resources, please visit here.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is based upon a unique variety of approaches. All activities and experiences are developmentally based and draw from the best practices of NAEYC, Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Creative Curriculum, Sheva, Growing Up Wild and more. Experiences are play based and all hands-on. Each student reaches their potential in scientific discovery, problem solving and critical thinking in a physically and emotionally safe, nurturing environment. Children are guided as they explore, learn and document using the project approach. They are seen as constructivist learners where learning is experiential and constructed with them.

The daily schedule is planned intentionally to maximize children’s learning through effective use of time, materials, self-initiated learning, creative expression, one–on-one instruction and small and large group activities. Children are offered opportunities to learn according to their developmental needs and interests in a play-based setting.

What We Emphasize:
FAQ

Here are questions we get fairly often. If you have a question that is not listed, please feel free to contact info@jcajax.org.

Does your school provide snacks or lunch to the students?

Every morning, students will receive a fresh fruit or vegetable for their morning snack. On Fridays, the children are offered “challah bread” as their special snack for Shabbat.

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

What is the teacher to student ratio for my child’s classroom?

Busy Bee Classrooms (Child is 1 by 9/1)
1:4 or 2:8

Grasshopper Classrooms (Child is 2 by 9/1)
1:6 or 2:12

Teddy Bear Classrooms (Child is 3 by 9/1)
1:8 or 2:16

Junior Kindergarten Classrooms (Child is 4 by 9/1)
1:8 or 2:16

Kindergarten Classroom (Child is 5 by 9/1)
1:9 or 2:18

Will my child move to another classroom once they celebrate their birthday?

Our preschool functions under a school-based model. Unless otherwise addressed by the Director, each child will remain in their same classroom for the whole school year.

Is your preschool licensed or accredited? If so, by whom?

We currently are accredited through NAEYC, Guiding Stars of Duval County, Florida Kindergarten Council, and the American Camp Association.

Do you have to be Jewish or a JCA member to attend?

We embrace diversity and welcome children of all faiths. You do not have to be a member to enroll your child in preschool, but we do offer membership opportunities for our preschool families.

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.

Can I visit the school?

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. We are more than welcome to conduct tours at a day or time that is conducive to you schedule.

Registration

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis with JCA members receiving priority until the end of April. Financial assistance packets are due by March 15th. Non-members must apply as soon as possible to obtain the best possible chance for acceptance after the member only waiting period. All applicants must be in good financial standing (no outstanding balances) with the Early Childhood Department and the JCA or your child will need to be placed on a waiting list. Once your balance is paid in full, or you have made other acceptable arrangements with our finance office, your child’s application will be processed if space is still available.

We offer flexible scheduling options including an assortment of pick-up and drop-off times and days of the week you would like your child to attend for the school year. Students can come to school as early as 7:30 am and stay as late as 6:00 pm.

Our preschool offers 2 types of programs that you are able to enroll your child in: our 9 month program and 12 month program. The 9 month program begins on the first day of the school year and ends during May, it is similar to the length of an average school year. The 12 month program includes the same days that the 9 month students are able to attend, but also allows them to attend school on certain days that the 9 month program is closed. The 12 month program also automatically enrolls them for all sessions of our summer camp program.

To secure your space, request a registration packet, or obtain further information regarding our preschool program, please contact our office at ganyeladim@jcajax.org or call (904) 730-2100 ext. 235. 

Parent Information

The 2022 – 2023 school year information will be posted by early August.

Virtual Programming

To view a list of JCA virtual programming, live videos and resources, please visit here.

Parent & Me Classes

As part of the JCA and Michele Block Gan Yeladim’s ongoing efforts to promote parent involvement, we offer special Parent & Me classes aimed at helping new parents bond with their children and meet other young families. All Parent & Me classes are FREE and open to the community. Registration is required.

 

Professional Development Conference/Parent Workshop

Thank you to all of the early childhood education teachers who attended our 13th annual Early Childhood Education Support Network kick-off symposium. A very special shout out to our Keynote Speaker Sandy Lanes for attending and speaking about the emergent Reggio Emila-inspired constructivist approach to learning.

 

We are excited to continue workshops throughout the year for ECE teachers as well as parents in our community. Please keep a lookout for communication from us on these future events.

 

We also want to thank our wonderful sponsors below who made this event and workshops free to our entire community.

“It’s evident to me that the JCA is taking exhaustive strides to ensure the safety and health of both children and staff. My family is so thankful and appreciative. From my personal experience and through talking to friends and family with similar aged children, this program is the vanguard of ECE in this COVID-19 pandemic.”

Sincerely,

The Patel Family