At Downtown Jewish Preschool, we have thoughtfully woven together the best of child development research, neuroscience, the Reggio Emilia philosophy, and timeless Jewish wisdom to create an environment where children feel safe, deeply known, and inspired to learn.
We believe childhood is not something to rush through—it is something to honor.
Every question matters. Every idea has value. Every child deserves to feel seen.
Our classrooms are places where curiosity is celebrated, relationships come first, and learning unfolds naturally through meaningful experiences. Here, children are encouraged to wonder, create, investigate, collaborate, and discover the joy of learning.
Before children are ready to learn, they need to feel safe.
Research continues to show what parents have always known: children learn best when they feel connected, secure, and understood. At DJP, we intentionally cultivate warm, trusting relationships because we believe emotional safety is the foundation for confidence, resilience, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Every child is known—not only by name, but by their interests, personality, strengths, and unique way of seeing the world
We see children as competent, creative thinkers filled with endless potential.
Rather than simply giving children answers, we encourage them to ask questions, solve problems, test ideas, and discover solutions alongside their teachers and classmates.
Our role is not to fill children with information.
Our role is to nurture the curiosity that already exists within them.
Our curriculum is inspired by the internationally respected Reggio Emilia approach, where children’s interests become the starting point for meaningful learning.
A question about butterflies may lead to scientific investigation.
A fascination with bridges may become an engineering project.
A conversation about kindness may inspire artwork, stories, dramatic play, and acts of generosity.
This kind of learning is joyful because it is authentic. Children become active participants in their own education rather than passive recipients of information.
Children communicate in far more ways than words alone.
Art Drawing Painting Clay Music Movement Building Storytelling Nature Dramatic play
These are just some of the “Hundred Languages of Children” described by educator Loris Malaguzzi.
At DJP we intentionally provide beautiful materials, inviting spaces, and open-ended experiences that allow children to express their ideas in the ways that come most naturally to them.
Every classroom is intentionally designed to invite curiosity.
Natural materials.
Beautiful light.
Thoughtfully arranged learning spaces.
Real tools.
Living plants.
Open-ended materials.
Children are naturally drawn to environments that invite exploration, and we believe beauty inspires respect, creativity, and deeper learning.
We believe the richest curriculum often begins with ordinary moments.
A rainy day becomes an investigation of weather.
A bird’s nest inspires engineering.
Baking challah introduces measurement, science, sequencing, language, and tradition.
Planting a garden teaches patience, responsibility, and the miracle of growth.
Rather than separating subjects into isolated lessons, learning naturally weaves together literacy, math, science, art, social studies, and problem solving through meaningful experiences.
At DJP, Judaism is not taught as a separate subject—it is lived.
Children experience the rhythm of the Jewish year through songs, celebrations, stories, traditions, Hebrew language, acts of kindness, and joyful experiences.
Values such as gratitude, generosity, respect, compassion, and caring for the world become part of everyday classroom life.
Our hope is that every child develops not only a love of learning, but also a deep sense of identity, belonging, and pride in their Jewish heritage.
Children thrive when families and teachers work together.
We believe parents are their child’s first and most important teachers, and we value open communication, collaboration, and mutual trust.
Together we celebrate milestones, navigate challenges, and create a community where every child feels supported both at school and at home
Long after children forget what project they completed or what song they sang, we hope they remember how they felt.
Safe.
Capable.
Curious.
Kind.
Confident.
Creative.
Connected.
Loved.
Because when children feel deeply known, they develop the courage to explore the world with wonder.
