Gan Haverim Preschool
For children ages 2 to 5 of any faith, or no faith background.
Gan Haverim means “Garden of Friends” in Hebrew, and has evolved from the vision of a group of Bet Haverim parents who worked with passion to develop and nurture the concept of the school. Since 2005, offering the Yolo County community a unique, Jewish-inspired, play-based learning environment.
The emphasis is on Reform Jewish values in an emergent, play-based curriculum. Children are inspired to explore, celebrate and learn in a friendly, safe and stimulating environment. A variety of program options are offered throughout the year. Full-time (7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.) and Preschool day (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) opportunities are available for three, four, and five-day per week programs. Gan Haverim closes at 3:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month for staff meetings; we are also closed on certain religious holidays.
“Every time we teach a child something, we keep him from inventing it himself. On the other hand, that which we allow him to discover for himself will remain with him visible for the rest of his life.” ~ Jean Piaget
Program Offerings
Welcome to Gan Haverim, where every day is an adventure in learning and discovery!
At Gan Haverim, we offer two vibrant classrooms: the Sunshine class for our curious 2- to 3-year-olds and the Redwood class for our imaginative 3- to 5-year-olds. Our dedicated teachers are passionate about bringing the wonders of the world into the classroom, sparking joy and curiosity in every child.
With our low student-to-teacher ratio, we ensure that each child receives the personalized attention they deserve. Our intentional interactions are woven into daily activities, creating meaningful learning experiences that cater to each child’s unique journey. We believe in meeting children where they are, fostering their confidence to explore, question, and discover the world around them.
Gan Haverim isn’t just a preschool; it’s a community where children are inspired to thrive, learn, and grow. A Garden of Friends.
Welcome to Redwood!
In this classroom, we nurture the curiosity and wonder of our 3- to 5-year-old students through a child-led approach. Our teachers are dedicated to meeting the individual needs of each child, fostering their natural learning style. With developmentally appropriate materials to encourage independence with a small teacher-to-student ratio, we create an environment where every child can explore, grow, and thrive.
Welcome to Sunshine!
In this classroom, we support the growth and exploration of 2- to 3- year-olds students! Our teachers are committed to understanding and meeting the unique needs of each child, encouraging their natural curiosity. With developmentally appropriate materials, with a small teacher-to-student ratio, we provide a nurturing environment where every child can begin their journey of discovery and learning at their own pace.
Our Approach
We see our children as individuals who come to us with a variety of experiences that we can nurture and build upon. We are building the foundation for later learning by allowing children the time and opportunity to play and discover the world around them. We are constantly working to create an atmosphere of childhood self-discovery, personal independence, and individual uniqueness. Every day we promote feelings of joy in creating and learning, respect of other people, plants, and animals.
We believe that children can learn from each other and can problem-solve together with the adult there to guide their thinking with open-ended questioning and by providing appropriate materials.
Jewish values create the school environment. We model and encourage kindness, compassion, respect and responsibility. Judaism teaches that the formative years of early childhood are vitally important. We want all children to feel competent, unique, nurtured and loved.
A Play-Based Curriculum
Gan Haverim follows a play-based, or emergent curriculum. This means that the children are observed in the group setting to see where their interests lie. Activities may change from year to year, depending upon the needs of the children enrolled.
At Gan Haverim the outdoor space is as important as the classroom. Many activities are moved outdoors so that they can be experienced in a more natural setting.
Jewish values and holidays enrich the classroom curriculum. The children learn about the Jewish holidays at an appropriate developmental level. Rabbis Bess Wohlner and Jeremy Simons join the Gan Haverim children on Fridays to celebrate Shabbat, as well as for holiday celebrations and visits to the Sanctuary.
Our aim is to create a warm, caring, and stimulating learning environment where children will grow in confidence and self-esteem. Gan Haverim children are provided the opportunity to develop their natural curiosity, imagination, and creativity. They are allowed time for creative thinking and exploration.
With a seven-to-one student to staff ratio, small class size, and a dedicated staff of early childhood-educated professionals, Gan Haverim has been the program of choice for hundreds of Yolo County families for more than a decade.
We welcome your family to become part of ours, as well!
Summer Camp for children ages three to six
Click here for more information.
Financial Policies 2024-2025
Registration
There is an annual registration fee for every student. The fee is not applied toward any tuition charge. Gan Haverim requires the non-refundable registration fee plus a $500 security deposit and the first month’s tuition by your child’s first attendance day.
Registration fees are as follows:
Registration fee for CBH members: $100.00
Registration fee for non-members: $125.00
A security deposit of $500 is due at the time of enrollment. This security deposit, less any unpaid fees, will be refunded within 30 days following your child’s termination from Gan Haverim. The registration fee and first month’s tuition are non-refundable. The annual registration fee and the security deposit must be paid to hold your spot. The first month’s tuition is due on your child’s first day of attendance.
Tuition
Tuition is billed via email and due upon receipt. Tuition is billed on the 1st of the month, or the first business day of the month. There is no monthly discount for holidays, non-student days, or early closure days.
Late Payment Fee
All accounts not paid in full by the 15th of the month will be assessed a past due payment fee of $75.00. Any account delinquent for more than 15 days may result in termination of services.
Tuition Options
Preschool day = 9:00 am – 3:00 pm; Full Time Day = 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
| 5 days/week | 4 days/week | 3 days/week | |
| Preschool day | $1,305 | $1,130 | $890 |
| Full-Time day | $1,640 | $1,470 | $1,275 |
Congregation Bet Haverim Partners receive a 5% discount on monthly tuition
Optional Services
Parents with children enrolled in the preschool day program have the option of adding pre-care or after-care to their monthly billing. The cost per month is:
| Days/week | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Pre-Care | $300 | $225 | $155 | $75 |
| After-Care | N/A | $340 | $225 | $115 |
Drop-in care is also available on a limited, first-come, first-served basis and requires a request in advance to the Director. Drop-in fees are as follows:
| Per Hour | Per Preschool Day | Per Full Care Day |
| $15 | $75 | $110 |
Register Your Child for Gan Haverim
Applications for current and future openings are accepted throughout the year. Please contact the Gan Haverim Director at (530) 758-0842 ext. 307, or e-mail Jennifer at ganhaverim@bethaverim.org to schedule a tour.
