Mission
The Mission of Tuvia Preschool is to enhance the learning and development of young children in a safe and caring Jewish environment. This is achieved through a curriculum designed to meet the individual needs of each child.
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Philosophy & Curriculum
Tuvia School is a nurturing, responsive learning community where childhood is recognized and celebrated as a unique period of life that impacts all future development. Essential elements in this process include contributions of individuals, families, education professionals, synagogue leadership, and the wider community.
Our program recognizes that children learn and develop best as they interact within a safe environment where they feel competent and affirmed, and within an environment that they have helped to create.
Tuvia promotes learning through relationships that help children feel secure, and develop self-respect, respect for others, cooperation and responsibility for the community. The curriculum, infused with Jewish values and the teachings of our heritage, is based upon the best practices in the early childhood profession. The program goals include:
- Development of skills and attitudes that lead to success in school.
- Creation of a sense of community.
- Affirmation of the individual child and family.
- Development of a Jewish identity.
- Understanding of an individual's responsibility and place in the larger community.
Tuvia is an integral part of the larger Temple Menorah community that encourages life-long learning for children, families, congregants, educational professionals and the community at large.
Tuvia does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation or religion in its admission policies, educational process, or in any other school programs.
Ratios
State Licensing Ratios are 1:12, but we prefer to maintain a lower student to teacher ratio. Here are the ratios we strive to meet daily:
- 2 year old classes - 1:6
- 3 year old classes - 1:8
- 4 year old classes - 1:10
Ratios are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances but we will always maintain state licensing ratios.
Hours
We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 6:00pm.
We are closed all major secular holidays, 2 weeks for winter break and 1 week for spring break, and major Jewish Holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, 1st day of Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Passover 1st and last day, Shavuot). Please see below for details about our Mini-Camps, available most Jewish Holiday Closures.
Typical Schedule
7:30AM - 9:00AMEarly Care with directed and exploring activities.9:00AM - 1:00PMCore curriculum and weekly enrichment (including Music & Movement, Dance, etc.).11:30AM - 12:00PMLunch and transition to outdoor play.12:30PM - 2:30PMNaptime for our Nappers!1:00PM - 2:30PMRest time and Afternoon curriculum.2:30PM - 3:30PMOutdoor and gross motor activities.3:30PM - 6:00PMLate care activities and curriculum.
Jewish Tradition
In keeping with Jewish tradition, high value is placed on learning. A healthy emotional foundation, created through developmentally appropriate play and discovery, enhances the intellectual growth of children. At Tuvia, our students become successful members of a learning community of friends. Our teachers use hands-on lessons and learning centers to develop the cognitive, language, physiomotor, social, emotional, and creative skills of each child. Through the use of emergent curriculum and holiday-based units, students are engaged in learning about the following subjects:
Subjects
ScienceMathPre-writingPre-readingFull-day PreschoolArtHealthSafetyLanguageSocial livingPerceptual & organizational skillsPhysical Education
Special Programming
Throughout the school year the learning at Tuvia is enriched with special programming that comes in the form of classes (Israeli Dancing, Gym, Hands on Art), field trips to Wilderness Park, and events (Drum circles, Community Helper days, Restaurant Nights, School Picnics). We are grateful to the Tuvia Parent Committee for helping to make many of these events possible.
Tuvia Testimonials
"Both of our sons attend Tuvia and we love it! We used to send them part time but now they both go 5 days a week and I know they're in good hands. Play based, but tons of learning integrated so they don't even notice they're learning too. Also great it is part of the Temple; lots of fun activities you can choose to be involved in at your level of preference. Especially Saturday night Kids Night Outs. Yes, please. We love those!
It is an incredibly diverse and inclusive community. We, ourselves, are a family of mixed races and religions and we feel we belong and are very loved here."
"My son has been at Tuvia for a year and a half and we are very happy there. Even at a young age, he has made lasting friendships with his classmates who he looks forward to seeing on a daily basis. His teachers show constant care and concern for him in and outside of the classroom. The facility is kept safe and secure, and someone always knows where my son is and what he is doing. They use an app to keep in touch with parents and his teachers send photos and videos of his activities. He has learned so much since he started there. What I appreciate most is the Jewish education, which surpasses other Jewish preschools in the area. My son comes home singing Hebrew songs and having extensive knowledge about Jewish holidays and traditions. With one more year of school left, I believe my son will be more than prepared for kindergarten after his time at Tuvia."
"My son is learning so much at Tuvia. He comes home everyday with something new he has learned. The staff here is phenomenally supportive and communicative. The app they use for check in and out, along with daily communication and updates is awesome. I love being able to see what my son is doing throughout the day. The staff also helps with potty training too, which is amazing. I've been even more impressed with the sense of community and support that is provided outside of the daily school hours, for example, organized monthly playdates for the kids and parents night out. If you're looking for a preschool in the South Bay, look no further!."
"Our boys are in their second year at Tuvia and we are very pleased with their and our experiences. It warms our hearts when out of nowhere, one or both of our boys will spontaneously sing a hebrew song they learned at school. When we were researching and visiting preschools, it was important to us that the boys attend a school that was safe with a nurturing environment. Tuvia met these criteria, and the bonus for us was that they taught Jewish holidays, values and themes. We knew we found the right place for our boys when we saw the playground; a giant sand box, art easels, tire swing and track for riding tricycles all around. The boys have grown and developed under this tutelage and supervision in immeasurable ways, and we are so happy that we stumbled upon Tuvia and Temple Menorah. All families are welcome and we have recommended Tuvia, without reservation, to both Jewish and non-Jewish families and will continue to do so."
"My partner and I visited dozens of preschools in the Southbay and West LA area and Tuvia felt right from the get-go. Some highlights about the school include: 1.The facilities and outdoor play area are spacious and engaging. 2. The teachers love what they do and take great care of the children. 3. This is a great play-based school that exposes the children to academics but does not force them if they are not ready. 4. We are a multi-racial/cultural/religious family and feel welcomed and at ease with the teachers, parents and staff. Although this is a Jewish facility the actual classrooms are diverse and all cultures are welcomed! 5. The school offers a number of enrichment classes (some free and some you have to pay extra for). 6. Tuvia is more than just a preschool it is a community; there are a number of Tuvia as well as Temple Menorah activities every month that one can choose to participate in even if you are not a temple member."
"This preschool goes above and beyond what you would expect from a preschool.
My daughter just finished her first year there, and I have nothing but utmost appreciation for the genuine warmth, love and support we've received. My daughter loves it there. She's made great friends. In just one year, she's developed great social, problem-solving, and communication skills. She has responded very well to play-based learning in this environment. She comes home talking about what they learned that day (music to my ears). They truly make learning fun.
Here are just some highlights I wasn't expecting but was pleasantly surprised with:
- The teachers stay current with their educational development.
- The annual parent teacher conferences are very detailed reports of your child's development.
- They have a parent committee that you are automatically a part of upon enrollment with lots of activities that foster our community (family picnics, moms night out, class outings... just to name a few).
- Enrichment programs - We've had local dance centers, soccer coaches, yoga, music, and "my gym" this year.
- The staff to student ratio is super low.
- You can pick the days your child goes. Options are 3, 4 or 5 days per week.
- It's very diverse. Everyone is welcome. Jewish or non-Jewish.
- Oh, and the state of the art playground... Who can forget that? There are so many things for children with different interests to discover in this playground. If I had one negative thing to say, it's that it's hard getting my little one to leave sometimes.
