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A preschool like ours is not just a place to care for children—it is a community rooted in education, Jewish values, and deep respect for children as capable and curious learners. While daycares serve an important role in providing care, our preschool is committed to nurturing the whole child through purposeful, joyful, and meaningful learning experiences.
The Ruben and Susy Halfen Early Childhood Academy at the MARJCC offers so much more than a preschool education — it’s a vibrant, Jewish learning community where values, culture, and tradition are woven into every aspect of the day.
Housed within the Michael-Ann Russell JCC, our children grow up surrounded by a strong, supportive community that feels like family. Being part of the JCC means your child is immersed in the rhythm of Jewish life — celebrating holidays and milestones together with the larger community. From lighting the menorah at Chanukah to dancing on Purim, from planting trees on Tu Bishvat to welcoming Shabbat each Friday, our students experience the joy of Jewish traditions as part of something bigger than themselves. Parents, grandparents, and friends often join in, creating connections and memories that last a lifetime.
Our location within the JCC also gives children daily access to unparalleled facilities: two beautiful playgrounds, a world-class football/soccer field, two Olympic-length pools (indoor and outdoor), a gymnastics studio, art studios, and much more. As part of their regular curriculum, our students enjoy weekly swim lessons, gymnastics, art, yoga, music, and other enrichment activities — all seamlessly integrated into their learning experience. These opportunities aren’t just extras; they’re an essential part of how we nurture well-rounded, confident, and joyful learners.
Throughout the school year, we connect our classrooms with the rich programming and events happening across the JCC campus. And with our convenient walkover service, children can seamlessly transition into MARJCC’s outstanding after-school enrichment programs, supervised and assisted by our caring staff.
At the Ruben and Susy Halfen Early Childhood Academy, your family becomes part of our family — a warm, welcoming community where learning, play, Jewish identity, and meaningful relationships flourish side by side.
The Ruben and Susy Halfen Early Childhood Academy provides regular and after care for ages 2 months through 5 years old. Preschool hours are from Monday-Friday 8am-3.15pm; after care hours are Monday- Thursday3:15pm-5:30pm, and Fridays 3:15pm-5pm.
Yes! We are pleased to offer supervised transportation from our preschool to the MARJCC enrichment programs. This allows your child to participate in activities like sports, dance, art, and more—right after the school day ends.
Families have the option to pick up their child directly at the enrichment or to pick up from school, as our teachers will accompany the children to and from the enrichment and safely return them to the preschool afterward if needed.
This service is designed to provide flexibility for parents
Absolutely not! Our preschool community includes families of many faiths, cultures, languages and backgrounds. While we draw on Jewish values and traditions, we respect and welcome each family’s and each child’s unique identity.
We offer exceptionally low child-to-teacher ratio across all ages, ensuring lots of warm, personal attention while accommodating a child's increasing independence as they grow.
• Infants (2-11 months): 3:1
• Toddlers (12–23 months): 4:1
• Two-Year-Olds: 6:1
• Three- and Four-Year-Olds: 9:1
Yes, many preschool families receive financial assistance, and we encourage families to apply. Financial assistance is available opening the cycle in February and notifying families in April
We are a play-based preschool inspired by a constructivist approach and rooted in Jewish values. Combing the Reggio Emilia Approach with the Montessori method, our classrooms are prepare to offer children with a variety of resources and experiences that will prepare them to build their fine motor skills, Children enjoy stimulating classrooms, loving and expert teachers, lush outdoor space and specialists in music, movement, gardening and more. Families can access the whole JCC for fitness, arts, Jewish learning and community events.
We are vigilant about our sick policy. Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours to return to school. If your child gets sick at school, we will call you and keep them comfortable and well cared for. If a particular illness is diagnosed in your class, we tell parents to look out for it. We are constantly cleaning and disinfecting to ensure a healthy environment.
Yes. Our school year is generally from the middle of August to the beginning of June. We provide care, as Mini Camp, during New Year’s Week of December and during Passover break. If you would like daycare in the summer, you can enroll your child in Summer Camp, which is open at the same hours as our school program.
Early enrollment opens for returning families in December. In January, enrollment opens to the public. Please try to enroll early to ensure your space! It is not uncommon for wait lists for the following school year to be started in March. Our families also have priority registration for summer camps, which opens in January.
For more information, please contact Romina Naparstek: Ruben and Susy Halfen Early Childhood Academy Director at [email protected] or 305.932.4200 ext: 155.
Yes. A 10% sibling discount will be applied to tuition..
Yes. Tuition can be paid monthly, in up to 10 installments. Payments by the end of May of that academic year.
We offer a 5% when tuition if pay in full before school begins.
We have financial assistance available.
The application opens Mid February and closes by the end of April. Apply Now
Contact Us
- Romina Naparstek | Ruben and Susy Halfen Early Childhood Academy Director
- [email protected]
- 305.932.4200 x155