Thank you for your interest in the Becker Early Childhood Center. In a caring and positive atmosphere, we create a warm and stimulating environment for young children to grow and develop.

Our developmentally appropriate curriculum follows the needs of the child at every age. Children are involved in their learning through meaningful play, experimentation, and repetition and have the opportunity to choose from many different types of developmentally appropriate materials and activities. The daily schedules provide a balance between child-directed and teacher-directed activities, quiet and active time, and inside and outside play. The teacher carefully plans activities that stimulate a child's interest and curiosity so that learning and exploring continues into dramatic play and child directed activities.

Hours

Baby Break
9:00am - 11:00am Wednesday

Young Toddlers
9:00am - 12:00pm Mon - Fri
After lunch Rest and Play 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Twos
9:00am - 12:30 pm Mon - Fri
After lunch Rest and Play 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Threes
9:00am - 12:30pm Mon - Fri
After lunch Rest and Play 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Pre-K
9:00am - 12:30pm Mon - Fri
After lunch Rest and Play 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Bridge Kindergarden
9:00am - 2:30pm Mon - Fri

Extended Care
8:00am - 5:30pm Mon - Fri

Class Descriptions

Baby Break
On Wednesday mornings we offer a free program for moms, dads, and their young children, (four months to two years). Arts and crafts, snacks and music with our early childhood music teacher give you and your child a beginning to our developmentally appropriate education. This is a great opportunity to meet with other parents of young children while the children begin the socialization process with your support.

Young Toddlers
This program is open to children 15 months or older. Children must be walking independently upon entering the Young Toddler program. Parents may choose a two-day, three-day, or five-day program.

With a teacher-child ratio of 2 to 8, children are nurtured and intellectually stimulated in a loving environment. The program helps foster each student's self-worth, confidence, and their desire to explore their environment through hands-on activities. Students are able to interact socially, with adults and their peers. The curriculum promotes children's emerging independence through guided and independent play.

The program begins to instill core Judaic philosophy at an early age. We provide opportunities for young children to explore the traditions and beliefs of the Jewish culture.

Twos
Children who turn two by September 1st are invited to join the Twos. We continue to offer two-day, three-day, and five-day programs at this level with a teacher-child ratio of 2 to 12.

At this age the program emphasizes the continued development of the whole child through positive social opportunities. This is achieved through integrative, child-directed play, while focusing on increasing expressive and listening skills.

Dramatic play, music and art, using a variety of media, are included. Autonomy of the preschool child is encouraged through all the activities of school life. We promote emerging self-reliant skills in areas of hygiene, toileting, safety in the classroom and on the playground, clean up and taking turns. We follow our core Judaic values by contributing to Tzedakah weekly and by celebrating Shabbat in the classroom and in the synagogue each Friday.

Threes
Children that are three by September 1st will attend the Threes program. At this level classes are offered three days or five days with a teacher ratio of 2 to 15.

In the Threes program at Becker we continue to create an environment that fosters independence. Successful classroom strategies continue to be encouraged. Social skills are introduced through group and individual play. During the course of the year, teachers in the Threes begin to emphasize early literacy, child development, and culture. This early literacy and child-centered learning continues to be emphasized throughout the Pre-Kindergarten and the Bridge years. Teachers are trained in a professional development program from Rice University's Center of Education that promotes early literacy and childhood development, writing and culture. This early literacy and child-centered learning will continue to be emphasized throughout Pre-Kindergarten and the Bridge years.

Pre-Kindergarten
Four year olds are ready for the Pre-Kindergarten class. The curriculum builds the foundations for reading, math and science in a small teacher-child ratio of 2 to 15.

Classroom readiness strategies for each student are the main focus of our Pre-K program. This is achieved through the introduction of weekly units. An extended circle time is used to help children discuss the calendar, daily news, provide an opportunity to take speaking turns and help increase active listening skills. Writing skills emerge through the use of a writing center and individualized journals. Our goal for the Pre-K student is to establish an encouraging and stimulating environment with teachers who are able to respond appropriately to the child's needs.

Bridge to Kindergarten
Becker is happy to offer this exceptional program. This class gives children the extra year some need before entering kindergarten. A small teacher-student ratio provides a supportive and consistent environment with a modified kindergarten approach. This program helps a child develop additional independence, respect, cooperation, and creative expression in the classroom. These skills are vital for academic and social success.

An established daily schedule helps children feel secure and comfortable in the classroom. The day is scheduled to build social skills and strengthen academic readiness with time for play and creative expression. Phonics and whole language techniques are used to prepare children to be successful readers. Math and critical thinking skills are incorporated into many activities. Science, art and music activities enrich the monthly thematic units.

Music Program
The music program at Becker Early Childhood Center introduces music to the very young child and enhances their preschool learning experiences. The program focuses on both the Jewish holidays and the different themes of each age level. Our classes include singing, instruments, and movement. Weekly topics and themes are expanded upon using song, movements, and imaginary dramatic play. A variety of musical vocabulary is introduced while singing childhood and adult music. While incorporating similar songs at each level, expectation and involvement changes as the children develop.

Arts Alive
Arts Alive! is an integrated arts program for children of all ages and abilities that builds self-esteem, confidence, and creativity through the expressive arts. In 1995, the Becker School brought Arts Alive! to the weekly curriculum. The Arts Alive! Program involves each participant - physically, visually, aurally, and orally. The program was developed to promote self-confidence and cooperation in a non-competitive setting with classes that follow a variety of weekly themes.