Early Childhood Program FAQ

Are you accepting registrations?

Camp Keshet 2024 registration is OPEN!  Registrations are accepted on a first-come first-served basis after one week of priority registration for currently enrolled families.  To hold your child’s spot for camp, we require a completed registration form along with a $0 application fee. Please see our registration page for more information on the registration process. Application fees are non-refundable. Deposits are refundable within 30 days of registration and are credited towards your child’s camp tuition, which is due in full by July 1, 2024. Each child registered for camp is required to submit a registration form and registration fee. Upon verification of enrollment, you will be required to submit a $250 deposit to secure your child’s space.

School Year 2024-2025 registration will open in January 2024.  Registrations are accepted on a first-come first-served basis after one week of priority registration for currently enrolled families.  To hold your child’s spot for the school year, we require a completed registration form along with a $50 application fee. Please see our registration page for more information on the registration process. Registration fees are non-refundable. Deposits are refundable within 30 days of registration and are credited towards the last tuition payment of the school year. Each child registered for the school year is required to submit a registration form and registration fee. Upon verification of enrollment, you will be required to submit a $500 deposit to secure your child’s space.

What are your food policies?

Germantown Jewish Centre Kashrut Policy – School Building
Personal food (eaten only by the individual):
– No meat, no poultry, no seafood, no shellfish (even kosher meat is not permitted)
– Fish must be of kosher types (permitted: tuna, salmon, whitefish, lox, herring; not permitted: swordfish, catfish, eel, seafood, shellfish); for fish not listed, ask the ECP office
Communal food (shared with others):
– No meat, no poultry, no seafood, no shellfish (even kosher meat is not permitted)
– No products with animal fat, lard, or animal shortening
– Check ingredients OR check for kosher certification (dairy or pareve)
– Fish must be of kosher types (permitted: tuna, salmon, whitefish, lox, herring; not permitted: swordfish, catfish, eel, seafood, shellfish); for fish not listed, ask the ECP office
– All fruits and all dairy and vegetarian foods are permitted
– Both home-prepared and commercially-prepared foods that meet the above criteria are permitted

What are your vaccine policies for my child?

ECP follows the vaccine schedule put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Aside from children who are diagnosed with medical conditions requiring an altered vaccine schedule, all children are required to be vaccinated according to the CDC/AAP schedule. This includes the Flu vaccine. If your child is diagnosed with medical conditions requiring an altered schedule, we require a letter from your child’s pediatrician and an updated vaccine schedule. All children will be required to show proof of immunization upon enrollment.

What are the hours of the program?

We open as early as 7:30 a.m. and stay open until 6:00pm Monday through Friday. In observance of Shabbat, we close at 4:00pm on Fridays between mid-October and mid-March.

We offer half-day schedules from 8:00 AM -12:00 PM or 12:45 PM pick up for children with siblings in the preschool program. Our “school day” schedule is from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. We also offer extended day additions from 4:00 – 6:00 PM.

For our 2023-2024 school calendar, click here.

For our 2024-2025 school calendar, click here.

Our family is not Jewish. Can my child attend ECP?

One of the wonderful qualities of our program is our diversity! While many families are Jewish or have Jewish family members, there are also families that come from other religious backgrounds. Additionally, just like our beautiful Mt. Airy, our program is richly diverse, which is exemplified through the variety of cultures and family structures that make up our school’s community. In other words… ALL ARE WELCOME!!

What is your policy regarding school cancellation?

School closing announcements are made through Remind messaging service, emails, and announcements via social media. Parents can contact the school for information on how to sign up for Remind. Weather-related closings are guided by the School District of Philadelphia.

What are the staff qualifications?

We are so proud of the talent, expertise and longevity that the ECP staff brings to our program! Our creative and dedicated staff come with amazing backgrounds, including Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate Degrees in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Social Work, the Arts and so much more!

What is the tuition?

We offer competitive tuition rates that are tailored to your needs. For more information, click here.

How do I set up a tour to see ECP?

Tours are offered when spaces are available throughout the year, and leading up to and during open registration times.  The ECP office is open Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. We can be reached by calling 215-844-1510 or fill out this form and we will contact you to begin the registration process.  You can also schedule a tour using the link below.

Please note that touring ECP does not guarantee enrollment. While registration is open, enrollment will be offered on a first come first served basis to all families. Separate registrations, fees, and deposits are required for camp and the new school year.

Click here to schedule a tour.

 

I want my child to be ready for school; why aren’t you focusing on ABCs and 123s?

ECP has implemented the Creative Curriculum which is a play-based curriculum which is supported by current research connected to brain development and the need for social and emotional learning in the first five years. ECP’s curriculum follows the individual needs and abilities of the children in addition to connecting to their own personal interests and sense of wonder. We believe children learn better when they take the lead and teachers enrich their experiences. “ABCs and 123s” are taught but in a developmentally appropriate method, as they are incorporated in the day to day play of the classrooms and connected to children’s interests. Children learn when they are interested and engaged. Additionally, ECP focuses on foundational kindergarten readiness skills with a commitment to building on the skills of communication, self-regulation, resiliency, connection, compassion, collaboration, and adaptability.