Shoresh Preschool

Shoresh Preschool is a play-based program that focuses on specific educational objectives for each age group. This means our classrooms all have various stations and the children are allowed to self-dictate parts of their day and what they will be interacting with. The development of social and emotional skills are at the forefront of our school as our teachers work hard to create an atmosphere of discovery, exploration and appropriate risk-taking. Academics are woven into our students learning as integrated activities within various play themes: nature, seasons, Jewish traditions, STEM, puzzles, movement, and athletics.

We welcome children of all religions, races, and family styles. Our student body comes from Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Montclair and surrounding communities attending our program. Individualized attention and the ability to provide a nurturing safe environment is made possible by our small class sizes and low teacher /student ratio. Our highly qualified and experienced teachers and assistants love what they do and understand the developmental needs of the children they teach. This allows each child to develop at their own rate in a comfortable and nurturing environment.

Our preschool classes begin at age 2 and continue through age 5.  Our curriculum is play based. It is through play that children strengthen and develop their social emotional skills, which is essential for learning. It is through play that children develop early literacy skills, number concepts and cognitive skills, in a warm and nurturing setting. The curriculum also includes art, music, movement, cooking, science and nature. Children learn best through play and exploration of their environment. Through hands-on learning experiences the children become active, curious and creative learners. Judaism is integrated throughout our program. We celebrate the Jewish holidays and we come together as a school on Fridays to celebrate Shabbat. We encourage the development of a positive Jewish identity and Jewish values, helping others. We are inclusive and welcoming of children in all faiths and backgrounds in our program. 

Shoresh offers a variety of programs to meet the needs of our families. We offer extended morning hours for working parents as well as after-school hours. Our afternoon enrichment classes offer you the option of a longer school day with a different enrichment class each day of the week for our three’s and four’s.

Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the whole child. We ensure that the children experience a balance in scheduling, which includes independent play, group activities and quiet time. The classrooms are set up with different centers to give the children the opportunity to choose their play area. Some of their choices include dramatic play, painting at the easel, book corner, blocks, manipulatives, playdoh, and a writing and coloring table. As the children experience these different centers, they are working on so many important skills. They are learning how to use their imaginations, express ideas, cooperate with others, make decisions, develop hand-eye coordination, improve their fine motor skills, and become problem solvers.

Typical Schedule: 

"Shoresh is hands down the most loving and nurturing environment for children we have found- including what we had in Brooklyn. Our eldest (5) and youngest (2) both have attended. Our eldest entered Kindergarten with all the skills necessary to adjust to the public school environment. They are amazing at teaching developmentally appropriate material in a way the children want to learn, through ample time to play. The Director is very involved in the children's day and is incredibly available to parents. They host a number of community gathering events so we feel connected even beyond the school to our larger community. And we are not Jewish, and have never felt like we needed to be in order to be fully connected. It's an incredibly inclusive environment which makes us want to be even more involved. Our girls have loved it here. As parents, we have loved everything about it as well." - Suzy G.

"I love this preschool! The teachers are loving and engaging.  We are now about to start our 4th child at Shoresh and I can't imagine sending her anywhere else. I always felt supported and listened to as a new mom and now I feel valued as I've learned so much along the way.  I wish that I could attend Shoresh!" - Allison G.

See more reviews on our Yelp! page. 

• Shoresh Brochure
• Educational Objectives for Each Age Level
• Shoresh Parent Handbook
• Temple Ner Tamid Shoresh Membership
• The PJ Library Enrollment Form

Ready to learn more?? Reach out at Shoresh@nertamid.org or 973-338-1500 ext. 120

To be added to our wait list of our 2022-2023 School Year, fill out this form.

PJ Library is a free program that mails your child a wonderful, age-appropriate Jewish children’s book or CD every month. PJ Library is available to any family raising Jewish children from 6 months through 8 years old, whether affiliated, unaffiliated, interfaith, or non-traditional.

PJ Library in Greater MetroWest NJ is more than just the books! Once you subscribe you’ll be in the loop on all the Jewish holiday celebrations, mitzvah activities, and special programs we host throughout the year. You’ll also have access to our constantly updated JFamily Calendar and receive our monthly e-newsletter filled with information on family events and resources throughout the Greater MetroWest NJ area. Events are open to all and are a great way to connect with other families.

Children with special needs who are older than 7 who would benefit from our books are also welcome to receive a PJ Library subscription. Call (973) 929-3128 to enroll.

What are you waiting for? Sign up for PJ Library today.

We know you’ll look forward to receiving your monthly PJ Library surprise as much as your kids do! And don’t forget to tell all your friends.

PJ Library in Greater MetroWest is a gift from our lead donors Maxine and Ted z” l Murnick, Paula and Jerry Gottesman Family Supporting Foundation and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Strong Roots. Thriving Children.