EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Congregation Shaarey Zedek is excited to announce that it will be opening a privately run, Shaarey Zedek Childcare Centre in the Fall of 2024 after the High Holy Days.

VISION

To connecting families with young children to Jewish life and our synagogue community through the offering of a quality childcare centre.

MISSION

To offer a safe, accessible, stimulating, student-focused childcare experience in a warm, accepting Jewish environment to promote the development of a strong, proud Jewish identity while engaging families with young children to our synagogue community. 

The newly renovated space will accommodate 32 children:

4 infants, 12 toddlers and 16 preschoolers and will be enriched with Jewish content provided by our clergy and support staff.

Priority will be given to Shaarey Zedek member families and Jewish community professionals, engaging parents, and children alike in synagogue life including Shabbat, Jewish holiday celebrations and a connection to Israel.

Families who are not yet members will be offered affordable opportunities to join our synagogue community to be a part of the childcare centre.

Kosher lunches will be provided onsite by our catering department.

VALUES

To nurture and educate the whole child, physically, cognitively, emotionally, socially, and orally. 

To create a caring environment where young children can learn and grow while embracing their Jewish identity.

To enable the child to freely inquire, explore and learn from their environment using a STEAM approach, incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics in addition to key Jewish teachings to guide child inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. 

To offer activities based on the child’s interests while creating opportunities to give the child exposure to new interests and widen their horizons.

To integrate learning activities and experiences designed to immerse the young child in a Jewish environment through books, music, dance, food, art, Shabbat and holidays with regular programming from synagogue clergy and educators.   

JUDAIC CURRICULUM

Shabbat and Jewish Holidays

• Weekly Shabbat celebration.
• Journey through the Jewish calendar to celebrate Ancient and Modern Jewish and Israeli holidays.
• Parashat Ha Shavua, weekly Torah portion and holiday learning through story telling, music and artistic expression as well as activities including synagogue clergy and educators.
• Middot – Jewish Values – Integrating the study of Jewish values into weekly programming through age appropriate experiential learning applications.