TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES The Levine Academy Early Childhood is licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services. Our program is inspected each year by both this agency and the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services. The EC’s policies are guided by the Minimum Standards set forth by the regulating agency as well as by the standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Copies of the State’s Minimum Standard Rules for licensed Child-Care Centers are available in the Early Childhood office.
Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-252-5400
www.txabusehotline
Child Care Licensing
1-469-229-6900
www.hhs.texas.gov
NAEYC
1-202-232-8777
www.naeyc.org
All staff is required to obtain at least 24 clock hours of training each year relevant to the age of children to whom they provide care. At least one clock hour of annual training must focus on prevention, recognition, and reporting of child abuse and neglect. Each staff member who provides care for children younger than 24 months of age must receive one clock hour of training to recognize and prevent shaken baby syndrome, preventing sudden infant death syndrome, and understanding early childhood brain development. For a detailed list of Professional Development training each staff member is required to fulfill, please refer to the Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers in Texas through the Texas Health and Human Services. Levine Academy’s Early Childhood environment is designed to provide children with a strong and positive Jewish identity. Each day, children experience Judaism as a joyful way of life. The symbols and traditions of Jewish life are made accessible, understandable and tangible. Throughout the Early Childhood, children gain a Jewish vocabulary and Jewish-orientation to the seasons of the year. Students learn to recognize Jewish symbols, holidays, Torah stories and prayers. There are two formal Jewish Studies sessions weekly in the three-year-old cluster and Pre-Kindergarten, and once a week in our two-year-old cluster. In addition, our 3’s and Pre-K students participate in a formal Hebrew language immersion program called Chalav u’Devash. This program imparts a basic knowledge of spoken Hebrew and provides a foundation for future study of the language. All students celebrate Havdalah on Monday, Torah Service on Thursday and Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday. All Jewish holidays and special commemorative days are taught through educational units, songs and programming. CURRICULUM Judaic Orientation Music Our music program introduces children to rhythm, movement, various musical instruments and song. Each week children learn preschool songs as well as music for Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Physical Education and Gross Motor Skills Levine EC teaches a program designed to increase gross motor coordination and strengthening. Children will learn cooperative team skills and positive self-esteem is promoted. Science, Engineering, and Discovery The focus on science in early childhood is based on the growing understanding and recognition of the power of children’s early thinking and learning. It is often heard that "children are natural scientists." Their curiosity and need to make the world a more predictable place certainly drives them to explore and draw conclusions and theories from their hands-on experiences. Our children are guided by a highly
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