Gan Haverim Preschool
Gan Haverim Preschool
License #573610796
Please contact director, Rhoda Rohnstock with any questions at ganhaverim@yahoo.com
Gan Haverim means “Garden of Friends” in Hebrew. Congregation Bet Haverim takes pride in offering to the Yolo County community this first-of-its-kind Jewish/play-based learning environment for young children.
Gan Haverim was the vision of a group of Bet Haverim parents who worked hard to develop and nurture the concept of the school. Gan Haverim enjoys the full support of the Bet Haverim Board of Directors and Rabbi Greg Wolfe.
We emphasize Reform Jewish values in an emergent, play-based curriculum. Our program inspires children to explore, celebrate and learn in a friendly, safe and stimulating environment.
A variety of program options exist at Gan Haverim. Full-time (8:00 AM to 6:00 PM) and part-time (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) spaces are available for two, three, four and five-day per week programs.
Children between the ages 2 years through 5 years are welcome to apply.
Applications for current and future openings are accepted throughout the year. Please contact Gan Haverim’s Director, Rhoda Rohnstock, at 530-758-0842 to schedule a tour.
“Every time we teach a child something, we keep him from inventing it himself. On the other hand, that which we allow him to discover for himself will remain with him visible for the rest of his life.”
~ Jean Piaget
We see our children as individuals who come to us with a variety of experiences which we can nurture and build upon. We are building the foundation for later learning by allowing children the time and opportunity to play and discover the world around them. We are constantly working to create an atmosphere of childhood self-discovery, personal independence and individual uniqueness. Every day we promote feelings of joy in creating and learning, respect of other people, plants and animals.
We believe that children can learn from each other and can problem-solve together with the adult there to guide their thinking with open-ended questioning and by providing appropriate materials.
Jewish values create the school environment. We model and encourage kindness, compassion, respect and responsibility. Judaism teaches that the formative years of early childhood are vitally important. We want all children to feel competent, unique, nurtured and loved.
Gan Haverim follows a play-based or emergent curriculum. This means that we observe the children in our group to see where their interests are. Our activities may dramatically change from year to year depending on the needs of the children enrolled.
At Gan Haverim, we feel that the outdoor space is as important as the classroom. Many activities are taken outdoors to add a natural feeling to them.
Jewish values and holidays enrich our classroom curriculum and Shabbat is celebrated each Friday. The children learn about the Jewish holidays at their developmental level.
Rabbi Greg Wolfe and Cantor Brian Reich take turns joining the Gan Haverim children on Fridays to celebrate Shabbat as well as participating during holiday celebrations and visits to the Sanctuary.
Our aim is to create a warm, caring and stimulating learning environment where children will grow in confidence and self-esteem.
At Gan Haverim, children have the opportunity to develop their natural curiosity, imagination and creativity. They are allowed time for creative thinking and exploration.
With a seven-to-one student to staff ratio, small class size, and a dedicated staff of early childhood educated professionals, Gan Haverim is the perfect program for your developing child.
Shalom! My name is Rhoda and I am the Director at Gan Haverim. When I came to Gan Haverim in the fall of 2006, I fell in love with this school.
While growing up in Fremont,California, I knew early on that I enjoyed working with young children and they had to be part of my life. I took Early Childhood classes at Chabot College in Hayward and started working with preschool children back in 1986. Since then I have worked in many programs, including my own home-based child care and state run preschool programs.
I feel honored that children allow me into their day-to-day lives. Creating environments in which children feel free to explore, learn and grow is very rewarding to me. I enjoy attending workshops and conferences and learning new and exciting ideas about working with chidren.
In my personal life, I am a mother of two really great kids; my son Gregory and my daughter Ajhanaie. I enjoy photography, crafts, reading and watching my children play sports.
Hello, I’m Nina.
I studied Human Development and Psychology at UCDavis. I have worked with young children as a teacher for over 20 years.
I started working at Gan Haverim in October of 2007. The families, teachers and Bet Haverim staff were so welcoming. I immediately felt like this is the right place for me to be. Even with new families and new teachers, that feeling has not changed.
I am married to my husband of 14 years, Bob, who works at UCDavis. We have 2 children ages 13 and 8. They attend Cesar Chavez Elementary School and DaVinci Junior High School.
I enjoy singing, reading and exploring new ways of doing art projects with young children.
Hi there, my name is Ashley and I have been a teacher at Gan Haverim since February 2010. I am also a child development major at Sacramento State and will graduate with my degree in 2011.
Being a teacher has been a dream of mine since second grade and it is my hope to make a difference in a small way in the lives of children everyday. I feel so priviledged to work with children and families. I enjoy doing creative projects and encouraging children to use their imaginations.
Children’s Daily Schedule
8:00 to 9:00 Pre Care
9:00 to 9:30 Free choice play
9:30 to 10:00 Color group circle time (Children are placed in a group based on age and temperament)
10:00 Snack
10:00 to 11:40 Interest area activities (block play, dramatic play, science discovery, art, large on-going projects, etc.)
10:00 to 11:45 Indoor/Outdoor time (child’s choice)
11:45 Clean up
11:50 Circle time (reading books, songs, flannel stories)
12:00 Lunch
12:30 Naptime/Quiet reading
1:00 to 2:30 Table top activities; Free Choice; Outdoor time
2:30 Closing Circle
2:45 Snack
3:00 to 6:00 After Care
Please contact director, Rhoda Rohnstock with any questions at ganhaverim@yahoo.com
Gan Haverim in the news!
The Gan Haverim children celebrate International Mud day
http://www.davisenterprise.com/media-post/mud-mania/
