Goldman Family Preschool
Our Program
NAEYC accredited and now in its 35th year, has a rich history and an outstanding reputation.
Shalom from the GFP Director!
Welcome to the Goldman Family Preschool! We are NAEYC accredited and beginning our 35th year, and we are proud of our rich history and strong reputation.
We approach our work through Jewish values, lenses, and culture. Through the 'High Scope' curriculum, combined with a Reggio Emilia approach, and the JCC Association’s Sheva Learning Framework, we serve children between the ages of six weeks-five years in our child centered, family-oriented program. Educated and trained professionals bring deep commitment and a love of children to our classrooms. We pride ourselves on the wonderful year-round educational activities we offer for young children in our community.
We have an open-door policy and invite you to visit us at any time during the school day. The relationships between parents, children, and teachers create a strong sense of community which is critical to the life of the school. We invite families, through ongoing, regular and meaningful conversations, to partner with us in the education and social-emotional growth of their children. We support families on their parenting journey and together celebrate life.
The Goldman Family Preschool is committed to the admission of children of all ethnic backgrounds, cultures, faiths and traditions. We promote acceptance, while at the same time valuing uniqueness. We encourage respect for cultural, physical, economic and religious differences. Striving to create a nurturing and trusting environment, we foster self-esteem, competence and confidence. It is our hope that the experiences we provide will have a lasting positive effect on the children and families we serve.
Sincerely,
Wendy Getchell
Goldman Family Preschool Director
What You Need to Know
Thank you so much for your interest in joining the Goldman Family Preschool! We are fully enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year and through the summer of 2026. We are accepting waitlist applications starting mid-April through December of 2025 for the 2026-2027 school year. In order to be placed on the applicant pool/waitlist we require families to complete the APPLICATION FORM and submit it along with the REQUIRED $25 WAITLIST PROCESS FEE to our administrative office. There is no applicant fee for current family siblings. Please be sure to read the information about our waitlist application process and the included FAQ below before you submit your application form and fee.
Children possess innate curiosity about the universe of people, places, and things around them. At the Goldman Family Preschool, we foster these natural instincts. We believe in a strong image of the child and that education is a process, initiated by the child’s interaction and investigation of their world. It is through these interactions that each child is encouraged to wonder, explore, question and discover, using their own unique learning style and interests. Through the High Scope curriculum, sheva framework and inspiration from Reggio Emilia, our program engages children in a broad range of experiences, including meaningful Jewish cultural exploration. By nurturing the minds and spirits of children throughout their first school experience, we give them the foundation to be lifelong learners.
Our educational vision is based on the High Scope Preschool Curriculum. Research based and child focused, High Scope uses a carefully designed process — called "active participatory learning" — to achieve powerful, positive outcomes. By creating a classroom environment that allows for open-ended learning and discovery, we give children a chance to build their understanding of the world. We also believe that learning is a cooperative venture which includes other children, their teachers, their families, and our larger community.
Starting in September of 2024, our School and Summer programs are open from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday with Aftercare until 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday. Friday Shabbat will continue to be held at 3:15 every Friday. Day school will end Fridays at 3:30 pm, after which time mandatory staff meetings will be held. See Hours Below:
"Shabbat Shalom!" (Peaceful Shabbat)
How to Enroll
If you're interested in applying to be placed on our waitlist for consideration for a potential spot in our preschool, please read more
here.
Our Community
The Goldman Family Preschool (GFP) is an integral part of the larger Jewish Community Alliance, which includes a Jewish Community Center (JCC), Jewish Federation (JFNA), and Jewish Family Service (JFS). The goal of the JCA is to enhance the quality of Jewish life in the greater Portland area and around the world through philanthropy, education, social service, culture, spirituality and wellness. The GFP receives support through the JCA, as part of the Annual Campaign.
Parent & Family Resources
The Goldman Family Preschool early childhood program is part of the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine and all families will be enrolled as members of the JCA upon enrollment at the preschool.
Many people choose to start their JCA Family Membership while they are on the GFP waitlist. Doing so allows you and your child to enjoy programs and member discounts while waiting for a spot to open. You can learn more about Membership at the J here. Once your family enrolls in GFP, your existing membership will be extended. For questions, and more information, reach out to Sam Cohen at scohen@mainejewish.org.
Summer Camp
Schedule
The Goldman Family Preschool runs an eight-week summer camp option. Summer runs as 2 four-week sessions, which is best practice for allowing time for connections, consistency of care, and meeting individual needs of young children under the age of 5.
Session One | Four weeks: June 24th - July 19th. No camp July 4th and 5th.
Session Two | Four weeks: July 22nd - August 16th.
Families will have the option to choose a T/W/Th three-day or M-F five-day schedule for each session. Updated Pricing for 2024 Summer Camp Sessions below:
4-week session $2,100 - 5 days (M-F) | $1,260 - 3 days (T,W,TH).
8-week session $4,200 - 5 days (M-F) | $2,520 - 3 days (T,W,TH).
There is a $200 deposit fee April 15, and May 15. There is a $200 deposit payment per session to secure a spot.
If you do not pay in full at the time of registration, then you will be on a 2-part payment plan. Payment 1 will be processed April 15th, and Payment 2 by May 15th with the card you put on file in your CampMinder account.
Deposits and payments are non-refundable. As in prior years, all camp charges must be paid in full prior to the start of the camp session. To learn more about registration, payment, and pricing go to our website.
