Frequently Asked Questions
These are a list of commonly asked questions from prospective parents who are interested in enrolling their children at the Strauss ECE. If you have another question not on this list or would like to schedule a tour, please click on the button below.
ABOUT US
Q: Can you describe the enrollment process?
A: The first thing you will want to do is set up a tour. You can fill out the Contact Us form at the bottom of the page or call at (520) 325-0390. During the tour you will see our facility, meet our teachers and learn about our curriculum and philosophies. You will also receive a package of information that has our tuition rates, parent handbook and other pertinent information. After the tour, if you would like to enroll your child in our preschool you will want to verify availability and set up an enrollment meeting. You can secure a spot with a non-refundable registration fee and the first month tuition. There are times, however, when a particular age group is full. If this is the case, we will place your child on a waitlist and you will be notified as soon as a spot opens up.
Q: What are your hours?
A: Our school is open the following:
Monday-Thursday: 7:00am - 6:00pm
Friday: 7:00am - 5:30pm (closed earlier in observance of Shabbat)
Q: What kind of schedules do you offer?
A: We offer three flexible options that are available Monday-Friday:
Full-Day: Includes all available hours
Mid-Day: 8:00am - 3:00pm
Half-Day: 7:00am - 12:30pm
Your child must attend a minimum of 2 days per week.
Q: What is your tuition?
A: Due to our myriad schedules, our tuitions vary greatly. You will receive a tuition fee schedule in your packet during your tour. A discount is offered for Kol Ami members.
FOOD & SNACKS
Q: Do you provide meals?
A: We provide a morning and afternoon snack for children ages two and older. Families provide their child’s own lunch. We also keep Kosher in our older classrooms and ask you not to bring pork products or shellfish in their lunches.
Q: How do I know what snacks are provided?
A: We have a snack schedule posted on the ECE information board, directly inside the main entrance. We provide a wide range of fresh fruits, veggies, grains, yogurt, and cheese for all snacks.
Q: Are you a nut-free school?
A: We are not a nut-free school, but we are peanut-free.
Q: How CAN I SET UP A TOUR?
A: There are several ways to contact us if you still have more questions or would like to set up a tour:
Call the ECE Office at (520) 325-0390. Please feel free to leave a message and we will contact you as soon as possible.
Fill out the Contact Us form located at the bottom of this page. An email will be sent to us and we will respond very quickly.
*Tours are by appointment only so that we have enough time to answer all of your questions.
Q: Can I be placed on a waiting list?
A: To be placed on the waiting list, you will fill out the waitlist application and pay a non-refundable $50 waiting list fee.
CURRICULUM
Q: What are your teacher qualifications?
A: Our lead teachers have at least an associate’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education and our assistant teachers are working toward that goal. Several of our teachers also have a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education as well. Our entire staff has been background checked and fingerprint cleared, as well as being certified in First Aid and CPR for both infants and children. Our teachers are also required to take 18 hours of continuing early childhood education classes each year.
Q: What type of curriculum do you teach?
A: We have an emergent curriculum where we teach in a hands on manner subjects which interest the child. We also teach about the Jewish Holidays as they arise. Academics are taught in a very hands on manner and are incorporated throughout the day in the learning environment. Children learn well beyond the Arizona Early Learning Standards.
JUDAISM
Q: Do I have to be Jewish to attend?
A: You do not have to be Jewish to attend the Strauss ECE. We are open to all faiths and many of our families have different religious affiliations. We do teach Judaics and Hebrew within our curriculum as well as creating a Jewish environment. If your child is not Jewish and attends our preschool, they will graduate with an appreciation and understanding of the Jewish religion.
Q: How can I learn more about Kol ami?
A: Kol Ami is an exciting and extraordinarily active place, and we pride ourselves on being a warm and caring community. Our synagogue is many things for our congregants: a holy place to worship God, a center to learn about and experience our amazingly rich Jewish tradition, a comfortable location to meet and make friends, a working center of living Judaism. It is also a place of creative exploration, where we can seek that which moves and excites us religiously and intellectually. Please visit the Kol Ami website for more information or call the main office at (520) 327-4501 to learn more about our synagogue.