Gan Shalom Early Childhood

Gan Shalom Early Childhood introduces our families with young children to our vibrant, inclusive, and creative learning community at RSNS. GSEC encompasses our Grown Up and Me classes (for ages 0-2), Gan Shalom Nursery School (for ages 2-5)), and our PJ Library Events (for ages 1-8). Through our dynamic programming, we joyfully impart Jewish values and customs while nurturing the foundations of child development. With a whole-child approach to learning, we strive to create an enriching environment where every child can flourish and grow with love and support.

Our Director:

In her twenty years as an educator, Adrienne’s goal for each experience is “How can I make this memorable?” Adrienne loves engaging learners of all ages, abilities, and interests in content that helps them grow as individuals and understand their place in our evolving world.

Adrienne is a licensed Early Childhood Educator with additional Elementary and Secondary Education licenses from New York State. She has a Master’s Degree in Art History from Queens College, a certificate in teaching English as a foreign language from Columbia University, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Indiana University.

Adrienne’s connection to the RSNS Community began as a synagogue school teacher and continued when her two children attended and graduated from Gan Shalom Nursery School. Adrienne loves that RSNS leads with love and acceptance and is a sacred space where all are welcome. Before being the Director of Gan Shalom, she was a class parent, Parent Liaison to all of Gan Shalom, and on the Gan Shalom Educational Advisory Committee. She loves working with the staff, children, and families in GSEC.

History of Gan Shalom Early Childhood at RSNS

Gan Shalom Nursery School at RSNS, a non-profit school, was organized in 1994 by a committee of dedicated rabbis, early childhood educators, and child development professionals, to provide the best possible Jewish and secular experience for young children and their families. We focus on building community, establishing a connection between home and school, and child-led experiences that plant the seeds of curiosity and inquiry in our learners. Our Early Childhood programming expanded in to include ‘pre-preschool’ classes and bridges to from our Nursery School to our Elementary School learners at RSNS through PJ Library programs.

Gan Shalom Nursery School is licensed by OCFS, registered with NYSED’s Nursery Schools, and a UPK participant in Port Washington Public Schools. As a school of learners, we invest in our staff’s professional growth through our partnerships with QualitystarsNY and ElevatED.