Early Childhood Education: Overview
Click here to see a list of affiliated Early Childhood programs.
 The CFJE Department of Early Childhood is a resource for 19 synagogue-based Early Childhood programs, which are proud to be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
The department provides consulting, professional development and research-based services to directors and teachers of their affiliated schools. The depth and breadth of Jewish Early Childhood services for children aged 2-5 years with half-day preschool sessions, day care programs, and enrichment classes is expanded through their access to CFJE's Department of Early Childhood.
As part of these srevices, the department conducts site visits, facilitates staff meetings, and provides access to current information regarding topics ranging from professional salary and work environment to child development and methodology. The integration of Jewish and general curriculum in a seamless manner is emphasized through the philosophy of the department, which works to foster best practice early childhood pedagogy and developmentally appropriate Jewish education.
The Early Childhood Director’s Council, which is sponsored by the CFJE, meets semi-monthly, giving directors of Jewish early childhood programs the opportunity to participate in intensive study of “reflective supervision,” thereby enhancing their leadership skills. This study is conducted with the guidance of a trained social worker. The supervisory work strengthens CFJE early childhood-affiliated schools by building directors' skills in teacher guidance, and helps promote better development of early childhood educators.
The department assists lay leadership with the decisions and mission conclusions for CFJE-affiliated programs. We work to educate synagogue boards and educational directors on the issues necessary to make productive decisions regarding the functioning and leadership of their schools.
The Department is also a leader in the collaborative work done by the Early Childhood Kehillah of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. The Kehillah is a joint program supported by several agencies which serve Jewish early childhood programs in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
The Annual Conference for Early Childhood Jewish Educators, The Accreditation Program for Early Childhood Jewish Programs and Schools, and other exciting new initiatives are implemented by the Kehillah. The Early Childhood Department Director takes an integral role in the planning and implementation of these programs.
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