The Saul and Carole Zabar Nursery School

The Saul and Carole Zabar Nursery School at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan is a progressive, Reggio Emilia inspired nursery school that embraces families from all backgrounds. Jewish values and tradition are interwoven into everything we do.

Our approach to teaching is inclusive of all types of learners, as we celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of each individual in our community, honoring one of our core Jewish values, B’tzelem Elohim (we are all created in the image of God.) Teachers work collaboratively to create experiences that spark wonder and creativity, build confidence and skills, and encourage children to be question askers. We believe that children’s voices are powerful and their knowledge is invaluable. Families are partners in the work that we do, joining with children and teachers to celebrate Jewish life and learning. We are caretakers of each other, our school community, our city, and our planet.

Children build ideas and knowledge based on their interaction with their environment. This takes place in an elevated manner in a classroom setting, as the environment is given thoughtful consideration by teachers. What transpires as children build these ideas and knowledge, and how does it take place in our school?

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, children’s voices, passions, artistic visions, and questions are driving forces in our curriculum. We believe that children are competent thinkers, problem solvers, and builders of their own knowledge. Teachers and children together identify paths of inquiry and engage in extended collaborative work that fosters individual growth and the ability to learn in large and small groups. Teachers facilitate this process by working collaboratively as researchers, observing, guiding, and following the interests of the children.