Gan Shalom Nursery School

Specialties

We provide a safe, cozy, stimulating and nur­turing CHILD-​RESPONSIVE environment in which teachers are sensitive to developmental stages of young children and to each child as an INDIVIDUAL. With many and varied developmentally appropriate materials available, the children learn through play with one another.

Gan Shalom is A School Where Children:

— Delight in their own creative efforts

— Are encouraged to be curious and safely explore their natural surroundings

— Investigate cause and effect relationships

— Develop social skills with other children

— Develop control of their bodies through the use of equipment for large and small motor activities

— Interact in a Jewish environment and experience ritual at an age appropriate level

History

Established in 1994.

Gan Shalom Nursery School of the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore, a non-​profit school, was organized in 1994 by a committee of dedicated rabbis, early childhood educators and child development professionals, with the goal of providing the best possible Jewish and secular experience for young children and their families. We are licensed by the NYS Office of Child and Family Services and Registered with the NYS Education Department. Gan Shalom Nursery School is a proud participant of the Universal Pre-​K Program of the Port Washington School District and Quality Stars NY.

Meet the Manager

Laura R.

Manager

Laura Reich has been the director of Gan Shalom Nursery school since 1995. She is a lifelong early childhood professional and earned a B.S. and M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Queens College. Prior to becoming the director of Gan Shalom, Laura was teaching 3 and 4 year olds and taught kindergarten in the New York City public schools. She has been actively involved in Jewish Early Childhood Education for more than 30 years. Laura has published articles on early childhood education for prestigious early childhood journals. She is a member of the National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) and serves on the board of The Jewish Early Childhood Association and Childcare Council of Nassau County’s Golf Committee. She has worked closely with traditional and non-​traditional families with young children to develop strong Jewish identities and a love of Judaism.