• Owner: non-profit preschool affiliated with Temple Sinai
• Director: Ellen Lefkowitz
• Phone: 510-832-6800
• Email: ellen@oaklandsinai.org
• Neighborhood: downtown Oakland
• Zip: 94609
• License #: 013420547
• Capacity: 124
• Website: http://www.oaklandsinai.org/Preschool/
• Bilingual:
• Ages: 2 - 5 years

I have a three year old son who is in the two year old classroom at Temple Sinai this year. We have been really happy with Temple Sinai, both the teaching and administration. I especially like that my son has two great teachers, one male, and there is a male substitute and music teacher, making a nice balance for an otherwise female environment. It is also a welcoming environment for intermarried and less religious families. Based on my experience, I would recommend the two year old classroom to new families, especially those not sure if their child is ready for a larger or more structured program. Temple Sinai is play-based and the children do not have to be potty-trained, though they are very supportive of these efforts, so it takes the pressure off and the two year olds can adapt to preschool without a lot of stress. happy parent

Re: Preschools in Oakland/Berkeley for 2-year olds?
Our daughter goes to Temple Sinai Preschool in Oakland at 28th and Broadway. Children need to be 2 to start, and don't need to be potty trained. We love it there, the teachers are fantastic and it's a wonderful community. Kia

We are thinking about Sinai's preschool for our 3 year old son and would love to hear from current families now that the school has moved back to the newly remodeled site. What do you like about the school? What do you see as its areas for improvement? What have your experiences been with the new director, facilities, teachers, curriculum, community, etc?

The new location is great - the play yard is a lot of fun and the classrooms are spacious and have a great layout. Drop off in the mornings is easy. We switch between using the curbside drop off and parking and walking in. My son LOVES the drop off (its kind of our special game in the morning ''can we get to school in time to do drop off!?'').

The school does a great job at helping shape our little ones into wonderful little people who understand how they fit into their community and world. There are lots of enrichment activities (yoga, drama, music...). Jewish traditions and rituals are part of the daily life - the rabbis and cantors know most of the kids by name also.

As far as areas for improvement... honestly, I can't think of anything. Any issues we've had, we've brought up to the teachers, director, or parent community with positive outcomes. For example, moving back to the new location meant that my son's classmates were going to be shuffled around (there were only 5 classes last year, the new location has 6 rooms). I was concerned about the split, but was able to have a very candid discussion with the director and teachers. Everything went smoothly, and I've learned to trust their knowledge and expertise.

This month is a preschool tot Shabbat with an oneg following the service. Please try to come! Its a great way to see the community, talk to other families, and learn more about the school. March 25th at 6:30 p.m. (30 minute service with an oneg that follows), there is also a pizza potluck prior to the service http://pizzapotluck.eventbrite.com/ Good luck! Happy TSP Family

I am interested in getting feedback from parents who currently have kids in either Temple Sinai Preschool or Gan Mah Tov preschool. We are considering both and would love to hear how your child's experience has been as well as about your experience with the parent community. My child will be turning two this summer and we are considering both schools even though we are not very religious. Anon

editor note: in response to this question, reviews were also received for JCC Preschool in Berkeley and Gan Mah Tov

(Reviews were also received for Gan Avraham Preschool)

My daughter was accepted at Temple Sinai Preschool starting in the fall. We have visited and I liked what I saw, but I'd love to hear from some current parents. The reviews in the archives are dated. Some specific questions -- my daughter will be among the very oldest (she's an early fall birthday) in the 2 year old class. Will this matter? She's very verbal but socially somewhat awkward, and she sometimes gets excluded by other kids at her current daycare. Have you experienced this? Were your children prepared for kindergarten? Do they get enough free time and outside time? I recognize that every child is different, so people's experiences will be different, but I'd love to hear people's thoughts, good or bad. Thanks. prospective TSP parent

In regard to your kindergarten question...I feel my child is well-prepared intellectually and academically at TSP. There is a mix of where kids go to kindergarten after TSP. There are quite a few kids going to public as well as private next year-- including Piedmont schools, Head Royce, Bentley, Joaquin Miller, Canyon, Montclair school and Berkeley public schools too.

You didn't mention if community amongst the families is important to you, but it definitely exists. For example, when we had a baby, we had overwhelming support from other families (people we had just met thru the preschool) who brought us homecooked meals, took our child to school and back for us, etc. There are also nights out and special parent-only events for parents to get to know each other-- which has been nice.

The only bad thing that I can think of is that the school only goes until 3:30pm, when they have to make space for the religious school students. Often, parents that need more time than that share a nanny or have come up with other strategies.

Good luck with your decision! TSP parent Current TSP Parent

Simply put -- we love the school. My son adapted really well and easily to the school -- I think because it is such a warm, welcoming and engaging place. The teaching staff is fantastic (I have gotten to know and like the teachers from all the classes), the director is organized, responsive and kind, and the kids are really great with each other because the teachers are so tuned-in to what is going on.

I have total confidence that the teachers will meet my daughter's needs (whatever they turn-out to be) -- they are so respectful of each child as unique and interesting.

Good luck with your decision. Happy at TSP July 2002

I'm interested in having my toddler attend a Jewish preschool in Oakland or Berkeley. I checked the website, but would like more recent responses, specifically if anyone has had positive or neative experiences with their child attending Temple Beth Abraham's or Temple Sinai's preschool.

Temple Beth Abraham also seems to have a great preschool and seems to be easier to get in if you are not a member. We were going to go there prior to getting into Temple Sinai school. I think their directors are terrific and I've only heard very positive things about their school. Hannah

We have sent both our kids to Temple Sinai e and love it for a large variety of reasons. Primarily, the staff is wonderful, very experienced and well trained. We have always felt that our kids got more focused and direct attention and had more simple fun and better friendships at Temple Sinai Preschool than at the three other places they attended. The curriculum and some art projects are moderately structured (with set circle times and outside times and group projects). We haven't been able to do field trips this year because of state regulations.

The director, Susanne Goldman, is extremely caring and focused and still has little kids herself, which is a surprisingly important factor in the mood and effectiveness of a school.

The play yard is used by all the age groups at once only in the summer when there are far fewer kids. I have never felt that it was crowded or small, and it's better equipped and maintained than many. In the course of my work and my attempts to find schools for our kids when we've moved, I have visited perhaps 50 preschools and child care centers.

I wanted to add two comments to my plug for Temple Sinai Preschool: Its curriculum is developmental and play-based, and the community of parents is uniquely warm, friendly and supporting. I can't say enough to recommend it! Laura