About
Simcha Preschool offers a play-based curriculum for young children. Most activities take place outside in outdoor environments, including play yards, a redwood grove, and other natural areas on the campus. The program includes a low-ratio TK/Kindergarten classroom as part of its early learning experience.
• Ages: 1–6 years old
• Schedule: For the 2025/2026 school year, the program operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m.
Simcha Preschool is a year-round early childhood program run by Temple Beth El in Aptos, California. The program serves children in Toddler (18 months–3 years), Preschool (2.5–4 years), Pre-K (3.5–5 years), and TK/Kindergarten (4–6 years) classrooms. “Simcha” is a Hebrew word meaning “Joy.” Simcha Preschool follows NAEYC standards for low child-to-teacher ratios and has small classroom sizes, and it describes itself as an intimate, family-centered program with a stimulating play-based and Jewish curriculum and excellent staff-to-child ratios. Simcha is committed to sharing the living legacy of Jewish values and traditions with young children and integrates an anti-bias and anti-racism curriculum into the program. The community states that families do not have to be Jewish to attend and that it celebrates diversity and welcomes families of all backgrounds.
For 40 years, Simcha has maintained the same commitment to providing a loving, nurturing, and respectful experience for its children. The program adheres to a “Gold Standard” for safety, including a requirement that all Temple Beth El and Simcha staff are 100% vaccinated. Simcha Preschool is led by Simcha Director, Caitlin Clancy. The program was voted #1 in Santa Cruz County by readers of the Good Times for 10 years in a row.
Last updated March 25, 2026.
• Ages: 1–6 years old
• Schedule: For the 2025/2026 school year, the program operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m.
Simcha Preschool is a year-round early childhood program run by Temple Beth El in Aptos, California. The program serves children in Toddler (18 months–3 years), Preschool (2.5–4 years), Pre-K (3.5–5 years), and TK/Kindergarten (4–6 years) classrooms. “Simcha” is a Hebrew word meaning “Joy.” Simcha Preschool follows NAEYC standards for low child-to-teacher ratios and has small classroom sizes, and it describes itself as an intimate, family-centered program with a stimulating play-based and Jewish curriculum and excellent staff-to-child ratios. Simcha is committed to sharing the living legacy of Jewish values and traditions with young children and integrates an anti-bias and anti-racism curriculum into the program. The community states that families do not have to be Jewish to attend and that it celebrates diversity and welcomes families of all backgrounds.
For 40 years, Simcha has maintained the same commitment to providing a loving, nurturing, and respectful experience for its children. The program adheres to a “Gold Standard” for safety, including a requirement that all Temple Beth El and Simcha staff are 100% vaccinated. Simcha Preschool is led by Simcha Director, Caitlin Clancy. The program was voted #1 in Santa Cruz County by readers of the Good Times for 10 years in a row.
Last updated March 25, 2026.
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