Washington Hebrew Congregation

About

We are a warm, inclusive early childhood center that serves families with children ages 10 months to 6 years.

Story

At WHC’s Rabbi Joseph Weinberg Early Childhood Center (RJWECC), we encourage children to be creative and curious.

Learning is an active process, and we intentionally plan experiences and activities to inspire ideas, spark questions, and set the stage for positive interactions.

Our inquiry-based and developmentally appropriate educational approach integrates both Judaic and secular curricula.

With five outdoor playgrounds, a media center, and dedicated spaces for in-depth discovery, our outstanding campus enhances each child’s educational journey.

Mission

We believe every child has a voice. We view our children as capable, competent, and powerful.

We believe every family is an integral part of our learning community.

We believe the environment plays a crucial part in children's learning.

We believe learning is a process of construction, growth, and reflection.

We believe teachers serve as guides to facilitate learning experiences and nurture growth.

We respect, listen to, and encourage all forms of children's expression.

We welcome the active participation and insight of our families and provide opportunities to enhance adult learning.

We intentionally design the physical space of the school community to inspire ideas, spark questions, and set the stage for positive social interactions.

We capture and document every child's experiences to make the process of learning visible to all.

We observe, collaborate and adapt our learning environment based upon the needs and interests of the children, using our knowledge of child development, Jewish values and developmentally appropriate practice to help guide our decisions.

We create a lifelong love of Jewish learning by fostering a positive Jewish identity at a time when, developmentally, the children are full of curiosity and wonder.

We are fortunate to have Clergy who assist us in providing the finest environment for deepening children’s appreciation of Jewish tradition.

We believe that Judaism is best taught by example and through an experiential process. The children will have the opportunity to experience the beauty of Judaism through arts, storytelling, dramatic play, music, the basics of Hebrew language and prayer, Shabbat, holidays and food.