Calendar
Here is our 2025-26 Beth Emek Preschool Calendar.
Parent Handbook
A Message from the Director
Welcome to Beth Emek Preschool, where we offer a developmentally appropriate program in a Jewish environment.
We encourage children to be creative, expressive, independent, and responsible by providing hands-on learning experiences through art, science, music, math, literature, and physical activities (both large and small motor).
Intellectual development happens as children grow physically, emotionally, and socially. It is important that we recognize the importance of children’s play and respect each child’s developmental stage and learning style.
We look forward to spending time with your child during this exciting stage in their development, and we value and encourage your participation in this process.
Thank you for choosing Beth Emek Preschool, and welcome to the community.
Shalom,
Kathi Estill, Director
Administrative Information
Director Kathi Estill: (925) 931-1055 ext 5
Preschool Parent Committee: See Kathi for the contact person
Contact Kathi at preschooldirector@bethemek.org with any preschool questions.
School Information
Program hours: Core hours are 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Extended care is available until 2:30 pm.
Congregation Beth Emek office hours & contact:
Monday thru Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Elaine Thomas, Financial Administrator
accounting@bethemek.org
Beth Emek Preschool is licensed by the California State Department of Social Services.
Facility number: 013417600
Federal Tax ID number: 94-2772595
Website: www.bethemekpreschool.com
Philosophy
Beth Emek Preschool’s purpose is to help children learn about their world by being aware of others, themselves, their intellectual capabilities, and their heritage.
Beth Emek Preschool’s educational experience is adapted to each child’s interests and learning capabilities. We challenge the child’s mind and stimulate their curiosity and awareness.
Each child is special and knows that their feelings and ideas are worthwhile. Beth Emek Preschool’s curriculum is designed to help children achieve a strong feeling of success and self-worth, creating a healthy learning atmosphere.
Beth Emek Preschool’s director/teacher and additional teachers work with a maximum of 30 children. They have education and experience in early childhood education and work closely with the rabbi and the preschool committee consisting of synagogue members and parents of children in the preschool. The staff plans the curriculum around the seasons, U.S. and Jewish holidays, and the letter of the week, among other areas of study.
Admission & Registration
Beth Emek Preschool enrolls children between the ages of 2 to 5 without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.
Parents may peruse the preschool website, www.bethemekpreschool.com, for information about the program or call the preschool directly at (925) 931-1055 ext 5 to discuss the program and arrange a visit with their child. Families are encouraged to visit before their child begins preschool to ease the transition into the program.
Each January/February, the preschool begins registration for the following year. For two weeks, we register current preschool families and congregation members. We then register families from outside the program.
There is an annual, nonrefundable registration fee of $75, of which $50 applies to the first month’s tuition. The registration fee will be returned if a space is unavailable for the child.
Required Enrollment Forms
A number of forms must be completed before your child can attend Beth Emek Preschool. Forms 1 and 2 are Beth Emek Preschool forms; forms 3 through 8 are required by Community Care Licensing.
1. Beth Emek Preschool Enrollment Agreement
2. Parent Talent Survey
3. Emergency Information Form (LIC 700), indicating where parents or other responsible persons can be reached in case of emergency
4. Child’s Preadmission Health History – Parent’s Report (LIC 702)
5. Consent for Emergency Medical Treatment (LIC 627)
6. Personal Rights (LIC 613A)
7. Child Care Center Notification of Parents’ Rights (LIC 995)
8. Physician’s Report – Child Care Centers (LIC 701) that includes immunization records showing proof of complete immunization
Please be sure the preschool has a phone number where at least one parent (or other person able to pick up your child in case of illness or accident) can be reached at all times. Be sure to notify the preschool about any changes in phone numbers or address.
Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures
Preschool begins at 9:00 am. Please be prompt; late arrivals cannot be accommodated. We are unable to supervise children before 9:00 am.
Preschool ends at 1:00 pm; parents should be on site and in charge of their children at that time. We have a 10-minute grace period for emergencies only. At 1:10 pm, a late charge of $10 will apply and an additional $1 per minute thereafter is charged. The late fee is due upon pick-up.
When you bring your child, please:
1. Fill in the daily sign-in sheet with the drop-off time and full signature.
2. Indicate in writing or email if someone other than those already authorized will pick up your child.
When you come to pick up your child, fill in the time on the daily attendance sheet and sign out with a full signature. The sign-in sheet must be accurate because it is a requirement of the California State Department of Social Services, and we use it during evacuation and emergency drills.
Families that use carpools must sign in and out for all children in the carpool. Please check all cubbies and the hanging file for artwork, projects, and important communication.
At drop-off and pick-up, please be responsible for your child and all the children who are with you. Children who follow the behavior guidelines all day at preschool sometimes stretch the rules when parents arrive. Children need to walk when inside the building. Children may only leave the facility with an adult. We appreciate your help.
Sample Schedule & Daily Routine
9:00 to 10:15 am – Greetings, handwashing, and activities
10:15 to 11:00 am – Circle time, handwashing and snack
11:00 to 11:30 am – Extension activities
11:30 am to 12:15 pm – Outdoor play
12:15 to 12:45 pm – Handwashing and lunch
12:45 to 1:00 pm – Games, music, and stories
Extended care is also available until 2:30 pm.
Clothing: We expect and encourage your child to be active. Please send your child in play clothes and shoes that allow for active indoor and outdoor play. Send a complete change of clothing, including underwear and socks, in a labeled ziplock bag to store at school. A labeled jacket should come to school every cool day. If your child comes home in clothing borrowed from preschool, please launder the clothes and return them within a few days.
Sunscreen: Please apply sunscreen at home each day before school. On most days, we spend 45 minutes to one hour playing outdoors.
Nutrition
Snacks
The preschool will provide a nutritious snack at mid-morning with at least two food groups with water in appropriate serving sizes.
Lunches
Students bring their own lunches to preschool. In accordance with the synagogue’s observance of kashrut (Jewish dietary laws), meat, poultry and shellfish products are not allowed at preschool. Please be mindful of this when packing your child’s lunch.
During the holiday of Passover, celebrated in the spring, leavened food products are not eaten (this mostly means bread). We will provide additional reminders as the school year progresses.
If inappropriate food is packed in a lunch, Preschool staff will deal with the situation gently and sensitively so that the child will not be made to feel uncomfortable. An email follow-up reminder will be sent to parents.
If you have questions about food in the synagogue, the rabbi is available to answer them.
Additional Food & Snack Guidance
In addition to the kosher dairy guidelines outlined above, we offer the following lunch guidance.
• The ideal lunch box for young children is insulated, washable, and has a removable hard liner for cleaning. Please label the outside of the lunch box.
• A reusable water bottle that fits in your child’s cubby is recommended; we will refill as needed.
• Send everything that your child will need to eat lunch each day including spoons or forks, napkins, and straws.
• We encourage you to send your child’s lunch in reusable containers, including a no-leak beverage container. Please label all containers and frozen packets. You may ask your child to bring home the ziplock baggies to use again.
• The staff will help rewrap leftovers to send home so that you can see how much your child is actually eating. Open juice boxes and yogurts will be put in the trash.
• To comply with the synagogue’s kashrut policy, please do not include beef, poultry, pork, pork products, or shellfish in your child’s lunch.
• For the 2023-24 school year, your child may bring peanuts or peanut butter in their lunch. Almond butter, sunflower butter or other nut butters are a good alternative.
• We will gladly reheat prepared lunches that come to school in microwave-safe containers.
• Please pack a few choices in reasonable portion sizes. Typically, a half sandwich, a few slices of fruit, and a beverage are enough for a young child. If you choose to send a treat, make it a tiny portion. We do not require your child to eat the most nutritious foods first. If you send three Oreos and a bag of chips along with hummus and pita bread, your child may eat only cookies and chips. Feel free to tell your child “no” when it comes to lunch treats with no nutritional value.
• Some main dish ideas that you might consider for lunch include pasta with red or white sauce and cheese, rice and beans, cheese pizza, tofu, eggs or quiche, cheese melted on bread or tortillas, tuna or salmon, and veggie patties. Some children are more likely to eat veggies if you provide a dip, such as hummus.
Health and Wellness
You should keep your child at home or arrange alternative care if your child:
– Is vomiting
– Has a fever
– Has diarrhea
– Has a persistent cough
– Has a contagious disease
– Exhibits symptoms of a respiratory virus
Your child may return to preschool 24 hours after all symptoms have cleared up. In the case of a fever, your child’s temperature should be normal (without the aid of medication, etc.) for 24 hours. Your child should be kept home if they are too sick to participate in the routine of a normal day, including outdoor play.
If someone other than a parent drops off your child at preschool, please have a plan in case your child is ill upon arrival. We cannot care for ill children. If your child becomes ill while at preschool, we expect you to pick them up, or to arrange to have them picked up, as soon as you are notified.
Medication Policy: Beth Emek Preschool does not administer medication to children. If you have questions about this policy, please speak with the Director.
Absences and Make-Up Days
If your child is ill or will be absent from preschool for any reason, please email or call the school to let us know they will be absent and how many days they will miss.
Beth Emek Preschool does not offer make-up days for sessions missed due to illness, vacation or holidays.
Classroom Visitation
Parents are welcome to visit preschool at any time; please speak with a staff member to schedule.
Field Trips
We may take one field trip per year. When appropriate, we will collect the cost of the trip from the parents. Send your child to school on field trip day in their Beth Emek tee shirt. Please note the field trips on your calendar and return your permission slip on time. Thanks in advance to all parent drivers.
Birthdays
If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday at preschool, you may send a snack for 30 children. Please send labeled, purchased snacks that follow the nut policy. Healthy snacks are appreciated. No frosted cupcakes, please.
Discipline
As parents and teachers, our goal is to help children develop appropriate communication skills to use when they become frustrated instead of hitting, biting, and crying. Every effort will be made to model appropriate behavior and redirect inappropriate behavior. There may be times when it becomes necessary to redirect a child to another activity or to remove an item from the classroom (with the understanding that the child may try again another time).
By allowing the child as many opportunities as possible to try again or to make their own decisions, we can help develop a positive self-image and a high level of self-discipline within the children. When these methods are combined with direct experience involving books, puppets, and activities, children are able to learn a set of skills that will serve them well their entire lives.
Traditionally, discipline has been equated with physical punishment … something done to children rather than traits developed in them. Actually, “good discipline is what we do to help children learn self-control … not what we do to them when they misbehave.”
Physical punishment or mental abuse will not be allowed at Beth Emek Preschool. Food and comfort will not be withheld in an attempt to change behavior.
Special Needs
When a child exhibits patterns of behavior that indicate special needs, the teacher and/or director will meet with the family to develop a plan for meeting those needs. We can refer the family if such a plan requires resources not available at Beth Emek Preschool. We encourage a cooperative approach to meeting special needs, and we often ask the family’s permission to maintain communication with the professional they select. Each family can be assured that it is our policy that all information regarding each child is handled carefully and is shared only by those who work directly with the child.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
We offer a parent-teacher conference for each child in the fall; both parents are encouraged to attend. It is not appropriate for children to sit in on the conference, and we appreciate it when parents can stay before or after their conference to supervise other children.
Parent Involvement
Parents are a very important component of our preschool. Your contributions of time and donations enhance our program and make an even richer experience for all the children. The talent survey that each family fills out at the beginning of the year is a helpful tool so that we can use your skills all year long. Thanks in advance for your help and support.
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency Drills: Evacuation, shelter-in-place, and fire drills are scheduled several times during the year so that if we have a true emergency, the children will be able to respond calmly. If it becomes impractical or impossible to keep the preschool open due to an emergency situation, we will first notify parents, if possible. If we must close the school and relocate the children, we will tell the Pleasanton Police where the children have been taken, and we will also post this information of the front door of the preschool. As difficult as it may be, please do not phone the preschool during a crisis. The telephone lines may be needed by public safety personnel.
In the event of an emergency that necessitates evacuating the facility, our temporary relocation site is:
Bay Home and Window, 40 California Avenue Suite H, Pleasanton CA
Phone number: (925) 846-3400, ext 121 (Cathy Falcon) or ext 122 (Jeff Falcon)
Emergency Packet: Should we need to evacuate the school facility, we have on hand water, emergency blankets, a first-aid kit, parent contact information, and small snacks to take with us.
Dismissal from the Program
Other than for continued non-payment of tuition fees, children will be dismissed from the program if they exhibit such disruptive behavior that it compromises the quality of the program for the other children. In the event behavior problems arise, the protocol will be as follows:
1. The parents will receive a written incident report outlining the specific details of the behavior, in conjunction with receiving a phone call from the director.
2. After receiving three incident reports and subsequent phone calls, the teacher and director will meet with the family to develop a plan for meeting the needs of the child. The family will be referred to a qualified professional if such a plan requires resources not available at Beth Emek preschool. The school will maintain communication with the professional the family selects. All information regarding the child will be handled confidentially.
3. If the behavior continues after one month (during which time the school is in contact with the professional), the family and preschool staff will meet to determine whether or not the child may continue in the program.
4. A child will be asked to leave the program if the behavior does not improve. In the event the child is exhibiting behavior that poses a danger to other students, the director may require that the child be removed from the program immediately.
Rights of the School: Beth Emek Preschool reserves the right to terminate the school-family contract in the event issues arise that negatively impact the quality of the program.
Updated July 17, 2025