BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — Congregation B'Nai Israel is entering the surprisingly empty market for Jewish-based infant day care in the greater Boca Raton area. Announcing “B'Nai Babies,” the Nadel Center for Early Childhood will go head-to-head with Temple Beth El's “Early Childhood Center” which suffered a series of mis-steps and controveries in its first few years — including “unsatisfactory” reports from the Palm Beach County Department of Health on August 15th, 2011, August 16th 2011 and October 31st, 2011.
Temple Beth El's Early Childhood Center director was ousted while many parents removed their children, placing them in private daycare facilities with stronger curriculums.
Apparently learning from Temple Beth El's growing pains, B'Nai Israel is starting by promoting a program based on education and development — not just babysitting.
According to B'Nai Israel:
Congregation B’nai Israel’s Nadel Center for Early Childhood Education is launching a new and innovative program at The Baby Center called B’nai Babies. This ground-breaking program is an educational developmental alternative to a nanny or day care where trained educators work with your child. In between your baby’s cuddling, napping and feeding, professionals will provide the stimulation for growth and development. Linda Harris, Director of The Nadel Center (with 30 years’ experience as an Early Childhood Director) has seen many parents who are concerned about leaving their children with nannies or in regular daycare centers. She has since developed a unique and innovative curriculum which individualizes activities for each baby or toddler in the program. She explains that “all children should be entitled to the best education possible.”
B’nai Babies are given activities for their specific developmental stage in areas of gross and fine motor, language, social and emotional development. Teachers are trained in the use of Individual Educational Developmental Plans and are able to complete these assessments and know how to work with the babies in areas of need. “We only select college educated teachers who are highly skilled professionals and warm and caring individuals” explains Rebeca Rosenblatt, Baby Center Coordinator.
The B’nai Babies classroom is designed and equipped with cutting-edge materials to stimulate learning. It is an ultra-clean environment that is maintained by a professional cleaning staff. Any adult entering the classroom must wear protective booties. The baby rooms are newly decorated with new furniture and equipment in partnership with the store Rooms for a Prince and Princess in Boca Raton. All manipulatives are developmentally appropriate. Each toy works with specific areas for growth and learning. There is even a separate playground specifically equipped for children under two. There are weekly visits from our team of professional specialists including music, yoga, movement, physical education and library.
The Baby Center at The Nadel Center for Early Childhood Education is on a safe, secure campus that is monitored by security. Parents can choose the drop off B’nai Babies Program, Parent/Child classes or a combination of the two. Linda Harris states “We are proud to give parents the choice of two different programs to fit their personal needs.” Children who are part of The Baby Center easily transition into the preschool where they have already made friends, are comfortable, know the staff and have become part of the community.
Nice addition but they took away child care during the high holiday services. This is a terrible thing. Now members can’t attend services during the normal service times but only during the children services as there is now no place to leave your young children. Child care during high holiday services have been a part of B’nai Israel and most temples for many years. Many changes going on at B’nai. Not all are for the good of their members. “JUST SAYING”