About Our Preschool Program

When the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and the Simon Family Jewish Community moved to the Reba and Sam Sandler Campus of the Tidewater Jewish Community in Virginia Beach in 2004, the two agencies created an educational partnership of their preschools.  This partnership resulted in the Strelitz Early Childhood Center, named in memory of philanthropists Joseph (Buddy) Strelitz and Leonard Strelitz.

At the Strelitz Early Childhood Center, we revel in the curiosity and potential of youth as they discover a new world each day – it is an exhilarating environment infused with Jewish culture and a commitment to lifelong learning.  Our child-centered program makes liberal use of graphic arts and group work, under the direction of teachers who love, support, and challenge our students to new heights.  Our nurturing, developmentally appropriate curriculum guides children of all faiths to develop not only strong readiness skills, but also moral and ethical values that create a caring community.

The modern campus boasts large classrooms with bathrooms and sinks, outdoor and indoor play areas, a cooking center, and computers in every classroom.   The preschool provides opportunities for music, physical education, library, and swimming instruction – and we are peanut free for the safety of our children with allergies.  Our programs allow some flexibility and range from a two morning per week class for two year olds to a five day per week fullcare program for ages 2-4.  Faculty turnover is very low and parents play an important role in supporting the programs and activities of the school.  For more information, contact us at 757-424-4327 or email our preschool director, Alene Kaufman.

Preschool features:

• WE ARE PEANUT FREE!
• Welcoming children of all faiths, ages 2 - 4 years old
• Professional staff with low student-teacher ratios
• Large classrooms with bathrooms and sinks
• Outdoor and indoor play areas for motor development
• Music and physical education
• Library
• Aquatics
• Children’s cooking center
• Computers and preschool software in each classroom
• Extended day and Full Care options
• Is your child still in diapers? NO PROBLEM!

We don’t discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national and ethnic origin, religion or handicapped status in administration of educational policies, scholarship or programs.

Preschool meets from 8:45-12:30; 8:00-8:45 a.m. drop-off encouraged.

Two-year-old program

• Two-day program (Tuesday,Thursday)
• Three-day program (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
• Five-day program (Monday – Friday)

Classes address social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and physical areas of development. Teachers guide students in a loving and nurturing environment, encouraging language development, creativity and exploration of the world around them.

Three-year-old program

• Three-day program (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
• Five-day program (Monday – Friday)

Students develop logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Teachers and families work together to encourage independence. Thematic learning units from the Jewish and secular worlds provide options for intellectual curiosity and develop emerging readiness skills, preparing them for entry into the four-year-old program.

Four-year-old program

• Five-day program (Monday – Friday)

Students continue to develop essential readiness skills for success in kindergarten. They investigate areas of personal interest through group work and long-term projects. The classroom reflects a Jewish environment replete with symbols and celebrations.

Extended Day

• Ages 2 – 4
• 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

One to five day options; registration for entire year required. Nap-time for two-year-olds and other students as requested; outdoor play, snack with fruit juice and a daily enrichment activity for non-nappers.

Full Care Program

• 7: 30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Available five days a week (43 weeks; additional 8 weeks available through JCC’s Camp Kaitana). Emphasis is on independence in a nurturing, stimulating and flexible atmosphere. Children attend morning preschool and extend their day with preschool teachers.

A Message from Alene Kaufman

A Parents Perspective

Strelitz Photo Show

Primavera :: A look at Earth and space.