Tree of Life Children's Center at Temple Beth Israel

Tree of Life Children's Center at Temple Beth Israel includes activities such as Mitzvah notes, Child of the Week, introducing phonics, journal drawing and dictating, and Spanish time. Children take part in learning activities both indoors and outside, with integration of secular and Judaic content in the daily curriculum and active involvement in Jewish holidays and traditions. Regular participation by the Rabbi and Cantor with young children is part of the program.

• Ages: 2–5 years old
• Schedule: Year-round program with childcare hours Monday–Friday, 7:00 am–6:00 pm, offering half day, full day, full day plus, and extended day options

Since 1988, Tree of Life Children's Center at Temple Beth Israel (formerly Temple Beth Israel Preschool) has been serving families with children 2 years to 5 years of age from cities throughout the Inland Valley. The program enrolls year-round based on space availability and maintains a waitlist when full, and children must be two years old to begin attending. The application process includes completing a Parent Interest Form, requesting a tour by contacting [email protected], and, after touring and confirming a spot is available, turning in the registration form and fee before Tree of Life Children's Center confirms the child’s start date and prepares an enrollment packet.

Tree of Life Children's Center describes its preschool as a fun-filled, play-based learning environment designed to promote social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth, with a child-centered program that focuses on the development of the whole child. The program states that it strives for a balance between outdoor and indoor activities, teacher-guided and child-initiated play, Jewish and secular learning, and opportunities for independent play and social interaction. It notes a low teacher-child ratio, aiming to keep a 2:15 staff-to-student ratio with two groups of older children and a 2:10 ratio with the youngest group of children, and describes caring, responsive teachers who strive to promote individual development in a social setting and understand the importance of interacting with each child in a meaningful way to support and extend their learning.

Children in the morning preschool program are divided into age groups based on their age as of September 1 of the school year when they enter, and children move from one class to the next at the beginning of the fall, with each group reflecting the children’s developmental stages and increasing skill levels. Children need to be 2 years old prior to enrollment, and 2-year-olds in the Group 1 Program do not have to be using the toilet independently before enrollment. Children enrolled in the full day program are in a mixed-age group in the afternoons, and exploring, discovery and learning are described as being promoted within all age groups.

The program includes several specific classes. Kitah Lev (youngest twos) focuses on becoming accustomed to a school routine and managing separation while bonding to loving teachers, with major areas of growth including communication and language, trust developed with staff, a developing sense of self, and refinement of motor skills. Kitah Tikvah (older twos) is described as a group where children show a growing interest in social interaction with peers and gain more independence in their care routines, while teachers support development of attention maintenance, new vocabulary, and learning concepts through play and daily interactions. Kitah Sakranut (young threes) introduces more purposeful activities at large and small group times, with imagination visible during free play and conversations, a growing sense of independence related to developing physical and social skills, and a common question of “why?”. Kitah Osher (older threes and young fours) builds on the foundation of previous groups, with children involved in a variety of activities based on their interests and facilitated by teachers, one daily group time focused on community and another on a curricular theme, and more complex social play with practice in negotiation and problem solving throughout the day.

Kitah Chaverim is described as a “PreK-style” class for four-year-olds who have some preschool experience, where children must attend five days a week (half day or full day) and begin activities at 9:00 am sharp. Weekly lessons in Kitah Chaverim include Mitzvah notes, Child of the Week, introducing phonics, journal drawing and dictating, and Spanish time, with the stated goal of exposing children to a wide range of ideas and skills with slightly more structure, while keeping the context of play-based learning. The program also notes a Pre-K class with an age-appropriate emphasis on pre-literacy, pre-math and kindergarten readiness skills, along with a print-rich environment and meaningful group times.

Tree of Life Children's Center describes open, daily communication among parents, teachers and the director, and mentions the sound of laughter, discussion and music throughout the day. It invites families to visit throughout the school year. The program is led by Director Robin McConnell.

The preschool is licensed by the California Department of Social Services and is affiliated with the Bureau of Jewish Education. Tree of Life Children's Center is open to the community and states that it serves Claremont, Pomona, Upland, La Verne, and surrounding communities, welcoming families of all backgrounds and faiths, with enrollment preference given to current students, siblings, and members of the Temple Beth Israel congregation. Licensing regulations require all enrollment paperwork to be completed and returned on or before the child’s first day of attendance.

Last updated July 15, 2026.