Welcome

Our Zipporah S. Abramson Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE) is based on the belief that the development of the first years of a child’s life is crucial for later development and success. During these early years, children develop the building blocks of self-concept, cognitive development and motor skills. Our program addresses the needs of young children and provides a rich curriculum that works for the whole of the child. We foster play in a constructive and stimulating way. Our hope is to instill a love of learning. Our CECE is an equal opportunity care provider.

   We are proud to maintain the highest level STAR 4 rating, which means our program is recognized by Keystone Stars for providing quality early learning experiences to help your child shine.  

Our Mission

The Zipporah S. Abramson Center for Early Childhood Education is dedicated to fostering excellence in Jewish early childhood education. This is achieved by providing a warm, nurturing environment that encourages cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development of the whole child. Our program incorporates Jewish values and traditions and encourages children, along with their families, to consciously develop a Jewish identity and lifestyle. The CECE offers an environment that encourages young children to develop their unique capabilities, interests, and creativity at their own pace and according to their individual needs.

Philosophy & Goals

• To promote self-esteem and confidence
• To increase independence in meeting and solving problems
• To form a positive Jewish identity by exposing the children to Jewish culture & tradition through music, holiday celebrations, special Shabbat services and interaction with the Rabbi and Cantor.
• To further intellectual development; to foster cognitive learning, concept formation and self-understanding
• To learn gross motor skills such as climbing, running, jumping and balancing
• To develop small muscle competence by using scissors, paste, clay, building blocks, puzzles and beads.
• To promote cooperation and other pro-social behaviors
• To promote language development
• To develop pretend play that facilitates imagination, ideas and creative thinking processes
• To foster awareness of the world by participating in a variety of experiences
• To help the child separate from the family and learn to live comfortably in a social group other than the family
• To foster creativity and free self-expression in art, music and socio-dramatic play
• To help the child learn control, restraint, and good attending skills
• To encourage the expression of all feelings, such as fear, anger and happiness, in acceptable ways
• To develop positive qualities such as the capacity for fun, humor and optimism
• To provide an environment that provides the child with the opportunity to learn by doing - moving from concrete hands-on experiences to more abstract concept development of Judaism and embrace its traditions and values.

Curriculum

In a safe, loving environment, our experienced staff is carefully selected to provide a diverse curriculum for our young children. Using the Pennsylvania learning standards and creative curriculum, teachers provide exciting learning moments and special days. Jewish culture and tradition is integrated throughout the curriculum. Holidays are taught and celebrated on the children’s level. Weekly school-wide Shabbat celebrations in the Gitlin Sanctuary help our children understand the roles of our rabbinical staff. During the Shabbat service each week, the clergy share a story to expose the children to Jewish values and holidays and introduce the children to the beauty and spirituality of Jewish music. Families are encouraged to participate in our Shabbat and holiday celebrations, volunteer in our classrooms and chaperone field trips. Our state of the art playground is used on a daily basis for children to work on their gross motor and socialization skills.

We offer a variety of resource teachers throughout the week. Children enjoy weekly creative movement and music classes. Our Pre-K students have physical education instruction, weekly Hebrew and computer classes. Our afternoon programming is chock full of learning for our Pre-K children. Thematic enrichments and a variety of sports activities are also offered.

What our parents have to say:

“You know how they say that there is no place like home? That is how I feel whenever I am in the CECE. I always joke with my husband that I want to have more children just so I never have to leave the CECE community. There is no other place where my kids are happier or where I feel they are safer. The teachers and staff there are some of the most warm, welcoming and loving people with whom I have interacted with in my lifetime. My children are my life and the CECE is a place where I know that they are loved.”  - CECE Parent of 3

Please refer to the links on the side of this page for class descriptions, parent resources, school calendar & important forms, frequently asked questions, and to learn about our summer camp, too.  We are always here to answer any questions you may have, 215-646-8869.

Sara Baum, Director of Early Childhood Education

Sharon Carlin, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education