JCC Preschool

JCC Preschool includes social play, indoor and outdoor discovery, hands-on explorations, music, and both structured and free-play activities. Children take part in Jewish rituals and traditions, including Shabbat, Havdalah, and Jewish holidays and festivals, and work on both short- and long-term projects in the classroom. Preschoolers participate in play-based experiences that involve discovery and problem-solving, with children and teachers co-creating the learning through a social constructivism approach where children learn by interacting with people and materials.

• Ages: 18 months–5 years old

JCC Preschool programs are for children from 18 months to five years old and include indoor and outdoor spaces that provoke wonder, curiosity, and social connection, with spacious play areas and welcoming classrooms. The program’s curriculum and experiences are rooted in Jewish tradition and values, with a values-based philosophy that includes viewing each child as having capability and potential (Tzelem Elohim), emphasizing deep respect for one another and the environment (Tikkun Olam), and focusing on the importance of relationships, belonging, and building community (B’rit). The program focuses on social and emotional development, including self-expression, self-regulation, and self-confidence, and emphasizes helping children become successful in interpersonal relationships, social skills, and conflict resolution.

The mission of JCC Preschool is to nurture and inspire young children to have empathy and compassion for themselves and others. The program welcomes everyone and states that all children, regardless of faith or cultural background, are welcome, with programs that foster a supportive, engaging, and inclusive community for children and their families and that celebrate Jewish life. The image of the child in this program emphasizes innate intelligence, potential, and curiosity, and teachers work as guides and researchers alongside the children. JCC Preschool includes the creation of sacred time and space to celebrate Jewish rituals and traditions, and preschoolers experience structured and free-play activities in a safe, nurturing environment rooted in universal values of kindness and community.

JCC Preschool is led by a team that includes Kristy Persily, JCC Preschool Office Manager; Erin Burns, JCC Preschool Mill Valley Site Director; Amanda McAdams, JCC Preschool San Rafael Site Director; Christie Barnard, JCC Preschool San Rafael Administrative Assistant; and Tamar Lai, Director of Early Childhood Education. The program is staffed by highly qualified, experienced early childhood educators. Scholarships are supported in part by the Morris Stulsaft Foundation, the Jewish Community Foundation, and other generous donors.

Last updated May 13, 2026.