Welcome to NEJA's Early Childhood Center
The Early Childhood Center (ECC) at New England Jewish Academy, also known as Nitzanim, blends Judaic and general education in a child-centered program that is rich, fulfilling, stimulating and fun. Students learn in a warm, loving and nurturing environment which inspires exploration, hands-on creativity, and individuality. Our developmentally appropriate Reggio-Emilia curriculum utilizes a holistic approach in all domains: social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual.
Each child, ages 2-5, is seen, known, and supported. Our small class sizes allow for individualized attention, ensuring that every child builds confidence and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
NEJA Preschool (Nitzanim) FAQ
Developed in Italy and globally recognized for its alignment with the science of brain development, the Reggio-Emilia philosophy reflects how young children learn most effectively—through rich, hands-on exploration in relationship-driven environments.
This approach honors the natural curiosity of children and positions them as capable, competent learners. Rather than relying on rote instruction or worksheets, our educators introduce academic concepts through real-world materials and inquiry-based experiences that stimulate critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. In this environment, learning is not prescribed—it is constructed through meaningful interaction with both the physical world and the classroom community.
In our Reggio-Emilia classrooms, foundational subjects such as literacy, math, science, geography, and Judaics are introduced through play-based investigations and collaborative projects. For example, a math lesson may emerge from a block-building activity that invites counting, measuring, and spatial reasoning. A geography exploration might stem from mapping the classroom or learning where classmates’ families are from. Early literacy takes shape through story dictation, labeling everyday objects, and recognizing letters in meaningful contexts.
Teachers act as researchers and facilitators—observing closely, asking open-ended questions, and guiding children through their discoveries. Each learning experience is tailored to the developmental pace and interests of the child, allowing them to construct knowledge in a way that is both intellectually engaging and developmentally appropriate.
A Reggio-inspired classroom is intentionally designed to support all areas of development.
Our spaces are:
● Calm and neutral to keep the focus on children's creativity and projects
● Organized into learning centers with open-ended materials
● Designed for self-expression, allowing children to take the lead in their learning
● Interactive and exploratory, incorporating books, sensory play, and student-driven projects
Jewish learning comes to life in Nitzanim! The curriculum focuses on Jewish holidays, weekly Torah portions, values (middot), tefillah (prayer), and mitzvot, fostering a strong moral foundation and love of tradition. Students begin learning basic Aleph-Beis and as they progress, they begin to engage with basic Hebrew vocabulary.
Every week students in ECC 3/4 will come home with Parsha questions that you can ask them at the Shabbat Table!
Through the Reggio Emilia approach, we introduce early literacy, math, and problem-solving in ways that align with each child’s development and interests. Students experience reading and writing through a multi-sensory approach, using real-world connections and hands-on exploration to develop a love of learning.
At NEJA’s ECC, parents are an important part of the learning experience. Throughout the year, families are invited to join us for special moments, like when their child is the Shabbat Abba or Ima, helping lead our joyful Shabbat celebrations.
We also love when parents visit to share about their careers, read a story, or lead a hands-on activity with the class. These visits create meaningful connections between home and school and show our students that learning happens everywhere—with the people who matter most.
