Playschool

---

Playschool is a welcoming, inclusive school for children ages 18 months-5 years old that embraces diversity in religion, ethnicity, race, and family structure. Our philosophy is child-centered and play-based. We believe that children learn through play in a safe and nurturing environment. We respect children as individuals and respond to their needs with compassion and dedication.

Our teachers are enthusiastic, experienced early childhood educators who love what they do and bring a wide range of skills and artistic talents to the classroom. Almost every staff member has earned their B.A., and several hold Master’s degrees. Continuous professional development is a high priority at our school. Click here to meet our staff.

Through planning and observation, our teachers and environment provide stimulating experiences designed to enrich the whole child, including social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and creative development.

Applying for the 2024-2025 School Year

The online application for the 2024-2025 school year (September 2024-May 2025) is available here, and we encourage all families to apply as early as possible, because classes fill up quickly. To schedule a tour of Playschool or get more information about enrolling, please email Megan Nachod, Playschool Director, or call her at 215-922-6590 x4.

Registering Your Child for 2024 Playschool Summer Camp

Our camp blends hands-on exploration, music and movement, art projects, outdoor play, and water thrills in our splash zones. Registration is flexible, and children may attend 5 days per week for the full summer session or for selected weeks, or the same 3 or 4 days per week for the full summer session or for selected weeks. Camp will run June 3-August 16, 2024. Summer camp registration is on a first come, first served basis, and online registration is available here.

The Playschool Curriculum

Our curriculum integrates age-appropriate academics focused on literacy and language acquisition, early math skills, and scientific exploration with free play and early socialization activities indoors and outside in our large courtyard and at local parks, thematic art projects, circle time and singing, and a celebration of Jewish values, holidays, and customs.

Our schedule includes weekly ZoomDance classes tied to seasonal themes and beloved stories, Soccer Shots to develop gross motor skills and good sportsmanship, weekly music classes with a renowned music educator who brings decades of experience, Monday morning Havdalah with Rabbi Nathan Kamesar (who is also a Playschool parent), and a Friday morning Shabbat celebration with singing, dancing, and delicious challah. In addition, our students participate in trips to a variety of local treasures, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and theatre companies for live shows.

Please click here for the 2023-2024 Playschool calendar.

A Close Community

Playschool’s reputation as a wonderful “first school experience” has made our program popular throughout the city for students of all religious and ethnic backgrounds; indeed, we treasure the diversity of our student population! In addition to our rich academic and social curriculum, we educate our Playschoolers about Jewish values, holidays, and customs and build a strong pluralistic community through programs such as our weekly Friday morning Shabbat celebration, our school-sponsored Shabbat dinners and Havdalah Pajama Parties, and our annual Hanukkah Happening and Purim Carnival.

Flexible Enrollment Options

The Playschool year spans September through May, and children ages 18 months to 4 years old may attend 3, 4, or 5 days, while Pre-Kindergarten (4-5 years old) class enrollment requires 5-day attendance. We offer daily early care at 7:45 am, classes from 8:30 am-12:30 pm (8:30 am-2:00 pm for Pre-Kindergarten students), afternoon arts until 3:00 pm, and extended care until 6:00 pm. Starting in February every year, families are invited to enroll their children in our fun-filled summer camp, which runs from June through August.

Delicious & Nutritious Snacks

Our daily snacks include a delicious, nutritious blend of fruit, vegetables, grains, and protein-rich dairy items. If serving a fruit or vegetable that is listed on the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen,” we aim to use only organic fruit or vegetables.

Please click here for the 2023-2024 Playschool Parent Handbook.