Gan Keshet Preschool

Gan Keshet Preschool admits children between the ages of two years (2.0) and five years (5.0) as of September 1st of the enrollment year. GKP aims to foster an inclusive and diverse community, and is open to all families (Congregation B’nai Israel members and non-members alike). GKP does not discriminate on the basis of gender, racial or religious background, disability, national origin, parent’s marital status or sexual orientation, political beliefs or cultural heritage. Learn More Here.

Our Philosophy

During the early years, children form their basic attitudes towards learning, themselves and others. At Gan Keshet we strive to support a child’s development of self-confidence, respect and empathy for others, intellectual curiosity, creative expression, and a positive identity.

Gan Keshet offers a rich, nurturing, play-based learning environment where children, families and staff together explore what it means to be a community and nature. We strive to create an environment for children to explore, question and develop an authentic voice. Families and staff, of diverse backgrounds, partner together as we introduce the Jewish community and its values. Our curriculum focuses on social, emotional, and physical development while fostering intellectual curiosity and cognitive growth.

Since children grow at different rates, individual and group activities are offered. Children are encouraged to be actively involved in the learning process.

The children’s day includes time for group play as well as time for exploring and working independently. A variety of developmentally appropriate materials are provided to support making of choices, sharing, experimentation, and problem solving.

Gan Keshet Preschool is proud to be not only an ally to, but a home for gender-questioning, gender non-conforming, non-binary, trans, and otherwise gender-expansive youth, families, caregivers, and staff. We not only accept, but uplift and celebrate gender diversity, with affirming practices that centralize the individual's experience of themselves in community and honors each person's ability to articulate who they are throughout different phases of life. We are led with empathy, compassion, the wisdom of life experience, and the scientific research demonstrating the necessity of gender-affirming practices in fostering the joy and growth of gender-expansive children. Gan Keshet Preschool stands in solidarity with all members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and will continue to do so despite the legal and literal attacks on queer and trans healthcare, rights, and lives.

Parent Involvement

Parents are an active and vital part of our program and are welcome in the classrooms to observe or participate in activities. As volunteers, parents are part of our Parent Teacher Association, fundraising activities, shopping, special events, and field trips. This affords parents the opportunity to share in the children’s experiences and helps to build a sense of community. Teachers and the Director communicate regularly with parents through a weekly newsletter sent out on Shabbat, written notices, informal chats, and bi-annual parent teacher conferences to discuss development and strengths throughout the year.

Program Details

Gan Keshet operates during the school year (Sept. to  June).  We offer a Summer Program to current and incoming Gan Keshet children (who are of age as of the start of July). Summer Program is not currently open to the public. The Summer Program is held almost exclusively outside in our outdoor classroom and on Abundance Farm, running from the beginning of July to mid August. 

We believe the work of the 2- and 3- year olds (socially/emotionally) differs from 4- and 5- year old, and we divide our classrooms into developmentally age appropriate groups.

The school’s Morning Program starts at 8:15 am and runs to 12:45 pm, Monday through Friday. Children may attend 3, 4, or 5 mornings a week in the Parpar (Butterfly) and Garin (Sprout) class and 4 or 5 mornings a week in the Chamaniah (Sunflower) class. Lunch Bunch is included in our Morning Program, Monday through Friday. Snacks and lunches are brought from home and must be kosher, dairy or vegetarian. (For more information on Kosher lunch at Gan Keshet, check out our Guide in our current families section.)

An Afternoon Program (Tzohoraim) is also available five days a week (Monday- Thursday) from 12:45-3:00 pm and on Fridays until 3:00 pm (Nov-Feb until 2:30 pm) for children who participate in the morning program. Please note that the shortened hours November through February are due to Shabbat observance being early with the end of Daylight Savings Time.

We also offer an Extended Day Program four days a week:  Monday to Thursday from 3:00- 5:15 pm. Please note that children enrolled in Extended Day programming must be enrolled in Morning and Afternoon Program of the same days. Please also note that due to Shabbat, on Fridays there is not Extended Day programming.

What Makes Us Special

Emphasis on Nature: Our programs place a heavy emphasis on cultivating a deep, personal and educational, relationship with the natural world. We are fortunate to have large sunny classrooms, several other large indoor rooms as well as a spacious playground, outdoor classrooms, and Abundance Farm available to us, allowing for ample opportunity for gross motor activities on a variety of equipment. We frequently take walks to explore, giving children the opportunity to both observe and enjoy natural, seasonal changes!

Emphasis On The Arts: The arts are woven into all facets of the program. Painting, collage, dance, movement, music, literature, and dramatic play are an important part of our program.

Emphasis on Ritual & Spitiual Exploration: Gan Keshet celebrates the rhythm of the Jewish year through explorations of Jewish holidays and customs, and an exposure to the Hebrew language. Shabbat is celebrated each Friday with challah, grape juice, and a candle lighting ceremony. Beginning in October, classes come together collectively for Shabbat Sing, led by a rotating cast of community members and an occasional feature by the Gan Keshet teachers themselves.

Resources for current families including calendars, instructions, lunch guides, gear/supply guides, and more. 

Please Click Here To Visit Our Page For Current Families