Early Childhood Center

Our developmentally-appropriate, play-based program allows our youngest learners to be actively engaged in their environment as they develop. Loving teachers facilitate interactive learning and provide an enriching and safe environment that gives children opportunities to grow cognitively, emotionally, and spiritually. Judaism becomes an integral part of each child’s world through holiday and Shabbat celebrations and everyday experiences, and our Hebrew specialist spends meaningful time in each class.

Socially, each child grows through interactions with his/her peers in the ECC, as well as with our older students. Teachers are listeners, observers, and questioners guiding children while they explore their interests and thinking. Teachers communicate regularly with parents, and encourage parent participation at many events.

Children make use of our vast facility, including the music and art studios, greenhouse, MakerSpace and gymnasium, where they engage with specialty teachers weekly. In doing so, our students become an instant part of our school community and develop deep pride in being a Hillel student.

Our ECC is the only local Jewish preschool that is both accredited by The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and that has received 4-stars from Great Start to Quality, a Michigan organization that rates child care and preschool programs to ensure Michigan’s youngest children have high-quality early learning experiences. We have met highest standards and best practices for early childhood education on both the state and national level.

Ioana M Ben-Ezra, Farmington Hills

“Ms. Barbara teaches in the 4-year-old preschool at Hillel Day School. The best way to describe Ms. Barbara is to say she’ s LIFE-CHANGING. I have four children, all of whom have had a lot of teachers throughout their lifetime (not to mention all the teachers I’ve had in my lifetime) and I can honestly say that Ms. Barbara stands out in the crowd. Her passion for teaching is infectious. Her love for the kids is shown in a “tough love” manner, which builds the students’ self confidence. Her st yle for talking and teaching the kids – she treats them as if they were adults in an age -appropriate manner . Her love for teaching is contagious. She is just the bomb diggit y . I feel honored to have had two of my four children in her classroom. I will never forget what she did for my kids. We just love her.”