Schilit Nursery School

We offer families the very best in early childhood education in a flexible and community-based, nurturing environment. We have just been voted the 2022 Best Preschool in the Washington Jewish Week's Best of Jewish Washington Awards for the second year in a row! We can't wait to meet your family. 

COMMUNITY Registration for the 2024–2025 school year and camp 2024 will open in january!

We are currently enrolling for our "Play @ B'nai" programs for children under two years old. You can learn more about those programs here. 

Click here to schedule a personal talk with Rebecca Ravski, Interim Early Childhood Director.

Learn more about our school (and check out our video!) here:

Q: There are so many wonderful Jewish pre-schools in this area. What is unique about your program?

A: We’re so glad you are interested in learning more about the B’nai Israel Schilit Nursery School! Here are a few quick highlights about our program:

• Flexible Options: We are open every day from 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM with several options so you can find what will fit your family’s needs. You can register for just early care, late care or a half or full day option. For our youngest students from transitional two’s through the two’s classes, you can even participate two or three days a week! We know how important flexibility and options are when choosing a nursery school.
• Child-Centered Philosophy: We have a hands on, play-based approach to early childhood education. Guided by age-appropriate learning goals, our child-centered  philosophy follows the interests of the children for more authentic learning experiences. 
• Community-Based: Joining our nursery school gives you access to all of the wonderful family programs of our entire synagogue community. Our clergy are accessible and take part in our nursery school curriculum.
• Facility Highlights: Our large synagogue provides ample spaces for all kinds of exploring, including our popular pond the children love to visit as well as a fully mirrored movement room for dance and yoga. B’nai Israel has a large gymnasium we call the “Bike Room” filled with gross motor toys. There is plenty of room to run around no matter what the weather is doing outside. We also have a designated Discovery Room filled with opportunities for guided exploration, making observations, predictions, creative thinking, testing theories, sharing thoughts and ideas, and using motor skills to achieve goals.
• Special Programming: While every day is special at BISNS, we are excited to offer several special events throughout the year, such as Truck Day, Israel Fun Day, a Purim Parade and Carnival, a BISNS Art Show, and more.
• Parent Involvement: It won't just be your children making new friends, our parent and caregiver community is tight-knit and active in creating an inclusive environment for everyone to get to know each other! We have a Nursery School Parent Association that plans parent nights out, social activities, and volunteer opportunities. Parents and families are invited into our school programs often, including special "Shabbat family" days and other holiday programming. 
• Long History: Our program has been running for decades and some of our parents were previously children in the school! Our commitment to providing the very best in early childhood education and preparing our students for kindergarten and beyond is integrated into everything we do. 

Welcome: A Message from Our Director

B’nai Israel Schilit Nursery School offers the very best in early childhood education. Our program respects the uniqueness of each child, and is designed to provide young children with a warm environment that promotes optimal learning and development. Our programs start with playgroups for newborns and parents and progress until age 5 with our pre-K.

Our core values of Jewish culture, traditions and rituals are embedded into everyday life. Our teachers develop the child's self-confidence through opportunities for learned independence.  Children are seen as curious and creative learners who best develop critical thinking and problem solving skills through discovery.

B’nai Israel Schilit Nursery School offers a half and full day program for ages 2-5. While our school year is September–June, we also offer a year round option with our teacher staffed summer camp program.

We are proud of the fact that our award winning school has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest Jewish nursery schools in Montgomery County, Maryland.  It is our goal to provide your children with high level, developmentally appropriate learning in a nurturing environment.  By encouraging children’s natural curiosity, we open the door to a love of lifelong learning.

Rebecca Ravski, Interim Early Childhood Director
rebeccar@bnaiisraelcong.org
240-221-4880