A Joyful, Purposeful Start:
Early Years at The Toronto Heschel School
At The Toronto Heschel School, our Early Years program – Preschool, Junior Kindergarten, and Senior Kindergarten – lays the essential foundation for lifelong learning and Jewish living. Rooted in play, inquiry, and integration, our classrooms are dynamic spaces filled with wonder, warmth, and discovery. This is where intellectual curiosity, a lifelong love of learning and Jewish identity begin to flourish.
From the start, children engage in a thoughtful blend of General and Judaic studies, Hebrew language immersion, and values-based learning. Every part of the day is designed to spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and nurture critical thinking and compassion. Our holistic approach supports each child’s growth across all domains: cognitive, social-emotional, creative, and spiritual.
Whether measuring ingredients in a baking activity, identifying patterns in a math investigation, or participating in classroom discussions on fairness and empathy, our youngest learners are developing the skills and character that prepare them for future academic achievement—and meaningful lives.
Integrated General and Judaic Curriculum
Our Early Years program is play-based and experiential, fostering development of the heart, mind, body, and soul. Torah narratives are integrated into daily learning to spark emotional intelligence, ethical reflection, and identity formation. Children explore the themes of Torah stories through visual arts, drama, music, nature, and storytelling, making Jewish learning joyful, deeply engaging and personal.
Hebrew Immersion & Jewish Learning
Children are immersed in Hebrew through natural daily interactions with fluent-speaking teachers. Songs, stories, routines, and conversations are conducted in Hebrew, helping children absorb the language organically while building cultural identity and cognitive skills.
STEAM and Innovation
Young learners develop curiosity and problem-solving skills through hands-on activities in nature, block play, and simple experimentation. They are encouraged to explore how things work, laying the foundation for inquiry and design thinking.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Emotional intelligence is nurtured through engaging with Torah stories that highlight age-appropriate social-emotional themes. Through these narratives, children explore concepts such as flexible thinking, self-regulation, and making amends. In a warm, supportive environment, they learn to identify emotions, manage their feelings, and develop empathy—laying the foundation for strong interpersonal skills and emotional well-being.
Student Support and Enrichment
Small class sizes and low student–teacher ratios allow for personal attention and strong relationships. Developmental support is integrated into classroom routines, helping each child grow in a nurturing and joyful environment where they build confidence, strengthen foundational skills, and progress in ways that support their academic, social, and emotional readiness.