Jewish Preschool of the Nyacks Receives Child Care License

The Jewish Preschool of the Nyacks recently obtained its child care license allowing the school to open a full-day day care and extend school hours. The preschool in Upper Nyack focuses on Jewish education for preschoolers.

The Jewish Preschool of the Nyacks received a child care license from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services in February, which allows the school to open a full day care and extend school hours.

This preschool opened 3 years ago is part of the Congregation Sons of Israel synagogue. Though plans for the day care and extended days are not in effect yet, Rabbi Ariel Russo says that it is based on whether the student population increases. The license allows up to 34 preschoolers and 12 toddlers in the space, and right now, there are 17 students. “Because [our program] is so small, our kids get a lot of attention and are really taken care of by our teachers in a very nurturing environment,” Russo says.

School days currently run from 9:30am-1:30pm, September-June, and Russo would like to extend it to 3:30pm or later. The preschool has programs for kids ages 2-4 and meets Tuesdays-Fridays for the 3- and 4-year-olds and Wednesdays and Thursdays for the 2-year-olds. Classes offered include yoga, Hebrew, music, a once-a-month Jewish studies program, and Shabbat taught once a week by Russo. Students also gain academic, developmental, motor, and social skills.

There will be a summer camp offered Monday-Friday for kids ages 2-4 from June 22-Aug. 14, 9:30am-1:30pm. The kids will participate in arts and crafts, play and story times, sports, water play, and Hebrew and Jewish studies.

Registration is open for both the summer camp and next school year.

Main photo: Children at the Jewish Preschool of the Nyacks read books as part of their Jewish studies class.