Learn • Love • Grow

Blaustein Early Childhood Center

About Our Curriculum

At the Blaustein Early Childhood Center, we believe in making learning a joyful adventure! We use Creative Curriculum to guide learning at every age, beginning with infants and continuing through kindergarten. It is a comprehensive research-based curriculum that enables children to develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical thinking skills. The state of New Jersey recommends the Creative Curriculum which is fully aligned with New Jersey Early Learning Standards. Our Curriculum meets children where they are and adapts to each child's individual needs.

We understand the importance of building strong foundations, which is why our curriculum places a significant emphasis on essential skills such as alphabet recognition, numerical understanding, and color exploration. We believe that education goes beyond rote memorization, which is why learning through play is at the heart of our approach. We integrate learning through play into every aspect of our curriculum. Our preschool curriculum nurtures both academic growth and the love for exploration, which sets the stage for a lifelong enthusiasm for discovery and learning.

Classrooms and Materials

Here at the Blaustein Early Childhood Center, we provide classroom environments that inspire learning, provoke wonder, nurture curiosity, and engage the intellect of our students. Children and families are represented and reflected in the classroom and larger school, creating a sense of belonging. In each classroom, you will find physical areas and materials to support the curriculum and each child’s development.

Classrooms Contain:

Manipulatives (small table toys) that help children learn about abstract concepts in concrete ways. These manipulatives also help with foundational math skills like counting and sorting or science skills like balance and weight.
Art Materials and tools that help children experience the process of creation using the philosophy of process over product. We use a variety of materials to offer different sensory and visual experiences.
A quiet space within the classroom for children to take a break from all the excitement.
Books, pictures, labels, writing stations, and other materials that support emergent literacy.
Science and discovery areas where we bring nature into the classroom and explore natural elements in the world.

Play Areas:

Being outside, breathing in the fresh air, and having time to explore nature is essential to a well-rounded and healthy Early Childhood Education. The Blaustein Early Childhood Center sits on the beautiful 14-acre property of the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center. Whether using our playground, outdoor Exploration Center and Sensory Garden or just exploring our grounds, teachers and children take their learning outdoors to learn and explore through nature.

Our outdoor play areas are ADA-accessible and designed with safety and security in mind. Each space is a gated area located in the back of our building, away from the parking lot. Each space is a developmentally appropriate play space. We spend a minimum of 30 minutes outdoors each day.

We are proud to offer special and unique play and learning areas:

Outdoor Sensory Garden and Classroom: is a unique highlight of our Early Childhood Center. Designed for all ages, classes can go outside to play in our outdoor kitchen, build with weatherproof blocks, put on a show on our stage, use weatherproof musical instruments, plant and take care of our plants in our vegetable garden, ride a bike, and run on our track. This is a beautiful space to learn, have a snack, play, or read a book.
Outdoor Playground: designed for children two years old and up. Children go to the playground to run, jump, and play. Social learning and gross motor skills are fostered and strengthened.
Gymnasium: is the perfect space for the children to run, jump, and play using innovative gym equipment.
Swimming Pool: Twice each month classes use our indoor swimming pool with a certified swim instructor.
Summer Camp Grounds:

Jewish Connection

We welcome children and families of all backgrounds and denominations and encourage learning from one another. We believe it is important for children to learn that people have different beliefs, and we openly discuss and celebrate our differences in the classroom. We highlight concepts valued by all backgrounds and denominations, such as kindness, love, repairing the world, and giving to charity. Learning about Jewish traditions, culture, and holidays is an integral part of the Blaustein Early Childhood Center experience. We value and foster a love of family and community as well as respect and appreciation for others through our Jewish heritage. Shabbat celebrations are held each week with a community component that brings our school together as one, either in the hallway, outdoors, or in the multi-purpose room. Jewish holidays provide opportunities for learning through different activities such as cooking, wearing costumes, singing, playing, and art. Every child enjoys our cultural celebrations regardless of their own family practices.

Enrichment Areas

The Blaustein Early Childhood Center offers a variety of enrichment classes during the school day.

Physical Education - Our children participate in a formal Physical Education Class with a trained physical education teacher. We use the gym curriculum called Catch provided by JCCA of North America. This program provides a way for JCCs to promote a love of physical activity and healthy nutritional habits.
Swim - Children ages two years old and up spend forty minutes every other week our indoor aquatics center. They enjoy a twenty-minute swim lesson with a certified swim instructor and then free play for twenty minutes.
Spanish - Children ages three and up are introduced to the Spanish language and culture taught by a teacher from Argentina.
Israeli/Jewish Culture- Children ages two and up are introduced to the state of Israel, the tradition of the Jewish holidays, and the Hebrew language through our Jewish studies program taught by our Jewish Educator.

The fun and learning does not need to end at 3:00 PM here at the Blaustein Early Childhood Center. Families can register their children for enrichment classes such as Karate, Kiddie Soccer, Dance, STEAM, and Cooking. Children can go directly to these classes within our facility. Professional outside vendors often teach the classes. After their enrichment classes end, children can either go home or attend our aftercare program.

adena-feinstein-photo

Adena Feinstein

Blaustein Early Childhood Director

direct tel: 908-443-9021
afeinstein@ssbjcc.org