Our goal at PTS Preschool is to provide families with a warm, nurturing, and loving preschool experience.​Since our Preschool opened its doors in 1982, our program has earned a reputation for excellence, and we have seen our preschool grow from one classroom to the full and vibrant 9 classes it is today. Our beautiful Rabbi Gerald and Helen Raiskin Torah Center facility provides an enhanced, developmentally appropriate environment where children are encouraged to explore and develop their curiosity through play and challenging experiences. Our classes are taught by educated teachers who far exceed the minimum licensing requirements and who are all trained in pediatric First Aid and CPR. Our teachers continue to participate in ongoing professional development and work in teams to provide quality experiences for children.

The most effective early childhood programs encourage parent participation and involvement in their children’s program. Communicating with parents through informal daily interactions and scheduled conferences provide greater opportunity for meaningful parent/child interactions and conversations involving parents in the happenings in their child(ren)’s day.

​Director of Early Childhood Education, Allison Steckley, is committed to teaching values, morals, customs, and traditions with a liberal Jewish approach. While we nurture a Jewish identity, we are open to students of all faiths. Our Preschool is fortunate to be a part of the Peninsula Temple Sholom community, and with this comes the nurturing guidance and support of our Clergy, Senior Staff Team and the Peninsula Temple Sholom Board of Trustees.

CELEBRATING SHABBAT IN THE PRESCHOOL

Our classes make challah on Friday mornings and the hallways are filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread.

At 12:30pm on Fridays, the whole preschool comes together in our beautiful sanctuary to celebrate Shabbat with Rabbi Dan, Rabbi Julia, or Cantor Kliger. We say the blessings, sing together, and wish each other a Shabbat Shalom - a peaceful Shabbat. If you have not yet been to our weekly Shabbat Service, we hope you will come one Friday and experience that "Shabbat feeling" with your child Your child would love having you there.

On Monday mornings, we gather at by age group in the classrooms to bid farewell to Shabbat and wish everyone a good week. This service is called Havdalah - the separation between Shabbat and the rest of the week. To hold on to Shabbat a little longer, we say a blessing over wine, smell sweet spices, and light and extinguish a multi-wicked candle. Everyone is invited to join us.

Throughout the year, families are invited to join us for Tots and Torah on Shabbat. Please look for dates and sign up. This is a wonderful way to be a part of and meet other families in the PTS preschool community. Families will also enjoy socializing with their friends and teachers. Hospitality, sharing Shabbat with others, is a mitzvah and an integral part of the holiday. All are welcome!