Kibbutz Anyone?

Yet another great idea for preschool. There are so many wonderful places out there. The emphasis and focus of childcare should take a break from the alarming stories and the grim statistics and really look at what is out there. That's why I refuse to publish articles about poor places getting poorer reviews. What's the point. Every great idea allows more ideas to come to be.

Jewish Review

Little Garden Preschool modeled on operator's kibbutz experience
By Deborah Moon Seldner

DREIDLE DANCE—Little Garden Preschool students dance to a dreidle song during the preschool's Hanukkah party. From left, Fisher Isenberg dnaces with Sophia Palumbis and Holden Polson, who graduated last year and returned for the party, dances with Zev Ben Israel.

Little Garden Preschool in Southwest Portland is modeled on the atmosphere Elana Einstein learned teaching in a kibbutz preschool/kindergarten in Israel.

Einstein, who moved to Portland five years ago with her husband, three children and mother, opened the preschool three and a half years ago with the theory that self esteem is the most important quality for children to learn and that children should get muddy making mud pies because, "You get to be a child once."

The warmly lit, clean preschool sits behind Einstein's house next to a large activity yard full of "real things from adults' life" like pots and pans that children can use in their quest to explore the world and get muddy.

The preschool is not academically oriented, but Einstein said, "A lot of academics happen. The main thing I believe in, which is typical to a kibbutz school, is self-esteem. That the kids feel good is more important for me."

Ayelet Zeldin, whose family is in Portland with Intel for two years, said her youngest son, Guy, 4, loves the preschool and adapted to it very quickly.

"When we came to the preschool, it immediately felt like home," said Zeldin. "The things she teaches remind me a lot of preschool in Israel. It's very warm, loving and nurturing … and there's a lot of Hebrew."

"My son learned his English in the preschool," said Zeldin.

And conversely, other children are learning some Hebrew.

Parent Kim Palumbis said her daughter is so comfortable at Little Garden that she flourishes.

Palumbis, who performs with her sisters on the CDs "Oy Baby" and "Oy Baby 2," teaches music at the preschool one morning a week and plays the guitar for the weekly kabbalat Shabbat celebration. She said all the children seem to feel very comfortable and secure.

"Elana's philosophy is very holistic," said Palumbis. "She is more of a facilitator who allows the kids to feel they are the creators."

Einstein said that is exactly the role she tries to play.

"If I can hear my voice too much during the day, something is wrong," she said. "I'm in a background setting things up for the kids … they control their time."

Children are surrounded by animals throughout the day. Two cats and several gerbils live in the classroom, while the outside is populated with bunnies and two dogs, though the children's interaction with the dogs is limited.

Einstein had completed the first year of a two-year master's program in pet assisted therapy when the family moved to Portland. Though she was unable to finish the degree due to the move, she said she firmly believes in the benefits of animals interacting with people, especially children.

"I really believe in having animals around children—it's a magic influence," she said. "One clear thing they help with is separation in the morning. Holding a kitty makes for a much easier transition."

She said children who have difficulty discussing their own emotions often find it easier to attribute those emotions to one of the animals in the room.

Einstein is also aided two days a week by her mother Gilda Farby, who was born in Ireland and lived in Scotland and Israel before following her daughter to Portland. Sanda Stein, who has family in Israel, works at the preschool everyday. Einstein said they jointly create the warm community that has evolved among the preschool families. At a recent Hanukkah party, families of two graduates returned for the celebration.

Little Garden Preschool has 12 students, ages 3 to 5, daily. Some come all five days, others come two or three days a week. The preschool follows a school year schedule and typically fills up by April for the following fall.

For more information on the preschool, call Einstein at 503-892-6678.